Born in Bulawayo, Irvine was a student of Prince Edward School in Salisbury and played a variety of sports early in life.

A school teacher by profession, he played in two Davis Cup ties for Rhodesia, against Sweden in 1968 and Spain in 1969.

He was a mixed doubles semi-finalist at the 1970 Wimbledon Championships, partnering Helen Gourlay of Australia.

[2] In 1974 he won the singles title at the Rothmans Connaught Hard Court Championships played on clay at Chingford, Essex, England against John Clifton.

Irvine, who became an American citizen, had a noted career in platform tennis after leaving the professional tour and is a member of the sport's hall of fame.