He had been judge for the Otago GRC for 13 years.
He was previously timekeeper for the club.
Welsh was judge for the Otago Racing Club for 18 years until 2004.
He had been assistant judge for two years to the late Hilaire Ford.
Welsh was timekeeper for the ORC for nine years from 1975.
He was timekeeper for the Forbury Park Trotting Club for 22 years.
Tracey Conner, the judge for the Southland GRC, will officiate at the Otago GRC meeting today.
• Magic Spike is a $2.10 favourite for the $60,000 New Zealand Shootout at the Auckland Greyhound Racing Club meeting tonight.
Magic Spike is unbeaten in six starts at the Manukau stadium.
He has drawn one.
Rockabye Lad, winner of the NZ Cup this month is second favourite at $2.80, ahead of Riddle Man ($4.20) and Diamond Zac ($7).
The winner earns the $60,000 stake.
It is the fifth time the race has been run.
