Gordon J Brand (1955 – 2020)

Tributes have been paid to Gordon J Brand, a PGA Honorary Member and Ryder Cup player, who has died at the age of 65 following a short illness.

Gordon, who was born in Cambridge and represented England in both the World and Dunhill Cups, made more than 450 appearances on the European Tour and, as a senior, another 196 on what has become known as the Staysure Tour.

He won five times on the latter and his solitary success in the former came in the Belgian Open in 1989, six years after he earned the final spot in Tony Jacklin’s European team to take on the USA.

It was only the third outing for the combined European team that came within a point of holding the hosts at the PGA National Golf Club, Florida.

The line-up included a quintet of existing or future major champions in Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Sandy Lyle, Ian Woosnam and Bernhard Langer – all of whom finished behind Gordon when he was runner up to Greg Norman in the 1986 Open at Turnberry.

Mark James, a future Ryder Cup captain, also played in the tournament and, in remembering Gordon, said: “We are very close to him and his family, we are devastated.

“He was a great source of entertainment; he had a wonderful sense of humour and was always good fun – I never saw a bad side of him at all. He was very highly respected.

“He’s been a permanent fixture in the lives of so many Tour players from the late 1970s and the Senior Tour of the 2010s, he’s going to missed by an awful lot of people. He had a great record as a player, but there were so many facets to his character that made him appeal to so many.”

Keith Waters, the European Tour’s chief operating officer, added: “We are all saddened to hear of Gordon’s passing. We shared the same coach when we played together on Tour during the 1980s and I can honestly say not only was he a distinguished player, but he was also universally well-liked.

“Gordon had such a laid-back approach. I don’t think I ever saw him up uptight. He really was so friendly to everyone and he will be sorely missed by all of us who met him and knew him. Our thoughts are with his family.”

Gordon is survived by his wife Lyn and daughters Marylyn and Lizzie. The PGA extends heartfelt condolences to them as well as other members of his family and many friends.

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