31/03/2022
The PGA is saddened to report that Granville Ogden, an Honorary Member, has passed away at the age of 66 following a long battle against cancer.
Granville qualified for Membership in 1974 and, aside from two years working in the Netherlands at Koninklijke Haagsche Golf and Country Club, served Romiley Golf Club in Cheshire until 1989.
Prior to his brief interlude overseas, Granville enjoyed a purple patch on the course, winning the Arizona Pro-Am and the Manx Classic. In addition, he made final Open Championship qualifying for three successive years from 1975 onwards.
Bookended by two near misses in 75 and 77, was a successful attempt during the long hot summer of 76 when he secured his place in the Championship at Royal Birkdale.
Having left Romiley, Granville was appointed head professional and then director of golf at the newly opened Shrigley Hall near Macclesfield.
While there he organised some popular events, not least the Norman Wisdom and Bobby Davro Celebrity Am-Ams, which raised thousands of pounds for the Christie Hospital, Manchester, and Birmingham Children’s Hospital respectively.
His coaching skills were also in demand, especially from Manchester United footballers Mark Hughes, Gary Pallister, Clayton Blackmore and Steve Bruce.
On leaving Shrigley in 1999, Granville became a full-time coach specialising in video analysis and worked for several clubs and facilities in Cheshire and Greater Manchester, including Knutsford Golf Club, the Cranford and Trafford Golf Centres and Astbury Golf Club.
Granville also proved a tireless worker when it came to golf administration. He served on the Cheshire and North Wales PGA County Committee and represented them on the North Region Committee. Those roles coupled with his work growing the game resulted in him being granted Honorary PGA Membership.
He is survived by his wife, Diane, and adult children, son Chris and daughter Sarah. The PGA extends sincere condolences to them as well as Granville’s other family members and friends on their loss.