John Cockin, an Honorary PGA Professional who was a key figure in the growth of golf in Sweden, won twice on what became the European Tour, and had a hole in one at the Open Championship, has passed away at the age of 84.
A Yorkshireman who never forgot his roots nor his allegiance to Hull City despite spending more than 60 years in his adopted country, John was elected to PGA Membership in 1957.
John began his career at Hull Golf Club, as Assistant to Stan Stenhouse. He first moved to Sweden in 1962 before settling there two years later. It was time when golf was in its infancy in a country where just 30,000 played the game and initially John spread the golfing gospel at clubs around Stockholm, including Sigtuna, Täby and Saltsjöbaden.
In addition to his role as a golfing missionary, John continued to compete on the international stage. And with some success.
He played in all four rounds of the 1967 Open Championship at Royal Liverpool, finishing 55th. The highlight, however, came in the second round with his ace at the 201-yard eleventh. He was rewarded with a car for his achievement, as was Sean Hunt for his hole-in-one at the 158-yard 13th. It is believed this is the first occasion there have been two holes-in-one in an Open Championship.
John had teed off at Royal Liverpool buoyed by victory in the Penfold Tournament at Blackpool North Shore where he had defeated Australia’s Stan Peach with a birdie at the first play-off hole. Earlier in the tournament, John, who was renowned for his dry sense of humour, had caused much merriment when standing on the first tee with Gary Player, his playing partner and multiple major champion.
Player was announced by the starter as an Open Championship winner and John, asked about his successes, revealed he had recently won the Hull District Medal. This was duly announced.
He was able to embellish his tournament CV 12 months later with a second victory, this time in the Dutch Open at Hilversumsche Golf Club when he prevailed in another play-off, defeating Spain’s Angel Gallardo and Bob Shaw of Australia.
An outstanding player, John continued to play and tied 35th with Kel Nagle and Doug Sanders in what was the first European Tour event held in Sweden, the Scandinavian Enterprise Open at Royal Drottningholm Golf Club in 1973.
His time away playing afforded his fellow Yorkshireman and PGA Professional, Tony Rattue, the chance to take over the club duties at Sigtuna. Rattue was there for two years and has no doubt the experience was pivotal in him being appointed head pro at the prestigious St George’s Hill Golf Club, Surrey, on his return to England in 1971.
Rattue served the club for four decades during which time Simon Hubbard, the head of the PGA’s Training Programme, worked for him and, thanks to his encouragement and support, spent three years with John in Sweden.
“I was an assistant at St Georges Hill, working for Tony Rattue, who had worked with John in Sweden,” Hubbard recalled.
“I don’t know if it’s still the case, but in Sweden they all had to do national service in the 1980s and when John’s assistant pro was called up, he contacted Tony to see if he knew anyone who would like to fill the gap. Tony recommended me and that’s how I got to know John.
“John was at Ullna Golf and Country Club, and I went out there in 1989 and was with him for three years. During that time, he became and has remained the most influential person on my career, from the way he coached people to helping me improve my own golfing ability.”
John was similarly influential on a broader scale – the development of the game in Sweden which, in addition to becoming hugely popular in the country and now boasts more than 400 clubs, has subsequently produced major champions including Annika Sorenstam and Henrik Stenson.
He played his part in the game’s increasing popularity not only as director of golf at Ullna Golf and Country Club and subsequent roles at Fågelbro Golf and Country Club, and Arlandastad GolfKlubb, but also as president of the PGA of Sweden.
He was in post for 19 years until 1997 and, along with Christer Lindberg and Karl-Axel Lunell, were key contributors in its development.
During his time in the role, the PGA of Sweden co-operated with the Swedish Golf Federation (SGF) and, among several initiatives, reached an agreement in 1983 that resulted in ‘Open Golf’.
John with his positive, charismatic personality, high skills and strong will, was an important driving force in Swedish golf and the PGA for many years. The loss is already great.
- Johan Hampf, the PGA of Sweden CEO
“John succeeded in uniting the entire Swedish PGA corps that this agreement was the way to success,” explained Johan Hampf, the PGA of Sweden CEO.
“With hindsight, we know that this decision was truly ground-breaking. For example, the Swedish Golf Tour was started for both ladies and gentlemen, with SGF and PGA as equal owners via Svenska Golftourerna AB.
“John with his positive, charismatic personality, high skills and strong will, was an important driving force in Swedish golf and the PGA for many years. The loss is already great.”
John later became the PGA of Sweden’s first honorary chairman and on the Swedish Golf Museum's website he is described as: “The talented PGA pro personified. A good teacher, good player, who had a wonderful sense of humor (sic) and opened many doors for the PGA and Swedish golf.”
John was pre-deceased by his first wife, Doris, with whom he had two children, Anna-Lena and John, and is survived by Gudrun, his second wife, their son Michael, and her three children, Magnus, Maritha, and Malin. The PGA extends heartfelt condolences to them on their loss.
