Brian Huggett MBE (1936-2024)

Brian Huggett, a PGA Honorary Member who was known as the Welsh Bulldog and whose name was synonymous with the Ryder Cup, has passed away at the age of 87.

Brian was born in Porthcawl, south Wales, and golf was clearly in the Huggett genes – both his father, George, and younger brother Geoff, were professional golfers.

George was initially an assistant professional at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club before becoming head pro at nearby Neath Golf Club following World War II. The family then relocated to Surrey in 1950 when George was appointed head professional at Redhill and Reigate Golf Club.

Having turned professional a year later at the age of 15, Brian joined his father at Redhill and Reigate and learned the skills of a traditional club pro.

He would put these to good effect in his own right from 1960 to 66 as head professional at Romford Golf Club, Essex, by which time he was forging a career as a successful tournament player.

So much so that, in terms of their working relationship, the father and son roles were reversed when George joined Brian at Romford in 1963.

Brian had finished third in the Open Championship at Royal Troon in the previous year after winning the Dutch Open. It was the first of his 14 victories on the European circuit and another two followed when what has become the DP World Tour was formed in 1972.

He made his Ryder Cup debut in 1963 and although the USA won the match convincingly 23-9, Brian was Great Britain and Ireland’s leading points scorer, with two wins and a half.

Brian went on to make five more appearances in the Ryder Cup, the last coming in 1975, a decade after he had finished two shots behind Peter Thomson as runner up in the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.

That was the fifth of 19 successive appearances he made in the Open and Royal Birkdale was the venue where he came closest to finishing on the winning side in the Ryder Cup when the 1969 encounter was tied.

He had won the Harry Vardon Trophy 12 months earlier for leading the Order of Merit and went on to play in the next three Ryder Cups, remaining unbeaten at Muirfield when his youngest daughter, Sandra, was born on the morning of the opening day. Although he did not play in the first session, he teamed up with Maurice Bembridge in the afternoon fourballs and defeated Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer 3 and 1.

Brian was appointed captain for the 1977 match at Royal Lytham & St Annes in what was the last time a Great Britain and Ireland team would compete for the trophy.

It was not his final involvement with the Ryder Cup, however. He was an ambassador for the 2010 encounter which saw the match played in Wales for the first time - with Europe beating USA 14 1/2 to 13 1/2. In addition, he played his part to perfection in a motivational video showed to Thomas Bjorn’s team on the eve of the 2018 match in Paris.

“The Ryder Cup is all about history and tradition and no-one summed that up better than Brian Huggett,” said Luke Donald, the current captain.

“He was also a formidable competitor as his record showed and a truly inspirational figure both inside and outside the ropes.

“I got an understanding of that first hand when I was vice captain to Thomas Bjørn in Paris and Brian was an integral part of a motivational video we played for the team on the eve of the contest.

“Even though he was softly spoken, you could see the steely determination in his eyes when he stared down the camera lens – I will never forget that.”

“What he did for the Ryder Cup was fantastic,” added Guy Kinnings, the European Tour chief executive. “It’s hard to underestimate how important Brian was for us, to the Tour and to the Ryder Cup.

“Some of the messages he left and delivered by film for the players in the team room in recent years with his wonderful voice, he was just an absolutely lovely man.”

In terms of team golf, Brian also made nine appearances for Wales in the World Cup before going on to enjoy success on the European Senior Tour following its formation in 1992.

He won 10 events between then and 2000, including the 1993 PGA Seniors Championship and the 1998 Senior British Open. His last win was in the 2000 Beko Classic at the age of 63 years and 171 days.

Although he was small in stature, Brian made up for his lack of size with skill and tenacity as a player and was often referred to as the ‘Welsh Bulldog’. And, as a proud Welshman, his compatriot Ian Woosnam described him as a ‘legend’. In that respect, Brian’s contribution to Welsh sport was recognised when he was inducted to the Wales Sport Hall of Fame in 2006. He was also made an MBE in 1978 for his services to golf.

“Throughout it all, and all the honours and accolades, he never forgot his roots as a PGA Member and the time he spent learning his trade,” reflected Robert Maxfield, PGA chief executive.

“He was proud to be a PGA Member, and it was fitting he should win our Seniors Championship in 1993. Above all, he was a good friend of the Association, and he will be greatly missed.

“Our thoughts and condolences go out to Winnie, his wife, and daughters Yvonne and Sandra on their loss.”