Brian Huggett, one of the most influential and respected players in the development of both the European Tour and the Ryder Cup, has died at the age of 87.
The six-time Ryder Cup player enjoyed a celebrated career spanning more than half a century. After turning professional in 1951, he won 16 events between 1962 and 1978, including two after the formal start of the European Tour (now DP World Tour) in 1972, and 11 times on the Senior circuit, including the Senior Open in 1998.
He won the Harry Vardon Trophy for leading the Order of Merit in 1968 and finished in third place in 1969, 1970 and 1972.
Huggett was the non-playing captain in 1977 at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club, the last Ryder Cup before Continental European players were included in golf’s greatest team contest.
He was awarded an MBE in 1978 for his services to golf, and in 2006 he was inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame. In 2012, he was awarded Honorary Life Membership of the European Tour in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the game.
WALES GOLF PAYS TRIBUTE
Wales Golf has paid tribute to Huggett as a legend of Welsh sport, who played a big role in bringing the Ryder Cup to Celtic Manor in 2010.
Wales Golf chairman Rob Holt, a former chief executive of Ryder Cup Wales, said: “They say never to meet your heroes, but that was completely wrong in Brian’s case. He was an icon who lived up to expectations.
I remember as a child watching Brian playing the Welsh PGA at Whitchurch Golf Club in Cardiff, but then having the chance to meet him through the Ryder Cup.
“He was passionate about Welsh golf, and he was passionate about the Ryder Cup, so that was the perfect combination for him. He was instrumental in bringing the Ryder Cup to Wales.
“He was part of the bid and played a big role behind the scenes because he was so well connected. I was with him once and immediately got introduced to the likes of Bobby Charlton and Tony Jacklin, those were the circles he mixed in.
“He was so generous with his time, a big family man, who never forgot his roots and always described Royal Porthcawl and Neath among his favourite courses, where his father had worked.
“It was a privilege to get to know him and witness his passion for Welsh golf first hand. He did outstanding work in the Ryder Cup bid and also in the build-up to the event when he was a tremendous ambassador for golf in Wales.
“We will remember him for that ongoing contribution to golf in Wales, as well as a playing career which puts him in the top bracket of golfers ever produced in Wales.
“He will be sadly missed and our deepest sympathies go to his family, wife Winnie and two daughters.”