Brian Waites: The Last Traditional PGA Club Professional to Play in the Ryder Cup
| Year | Details |
|---|---|
| 1958 | Brian was elected as a PGA Member after serving as an assistant at the Hesketh Golf Club in Southport. |
| Brian later worked at the Saltburn-by-the-Sea Golf Club and the Brough Golf Club in North and South Yorkshire before succeeding former PGA Captain David Talbot at the Notts Golf Club in 1969. | |
| 1969 | Brian qualified for the Open Championship, finishing tied-34th at Royal Lytham and St. Annes, a significant improvement from his previous appearance at St. Andrews in 1964, where he missed the cut. |
| 1971 | Brian won the Midland Open Championship, marking his early successes in local and domestic tournaments, a pattern of victory he’d continue during the course of his robust career. |
| 1973 | Brian played in the inaugural PGA Professional Championship at Calcot Park, finishing fourth, establishing himself as a formidable player on what is now the PGA’s flagship event, this marked his first notable appearance in the tournament. |
| 1975 | Brian’s performance in the PGA Professional Championship continued to shine, winning the championship runner-up positions. |
| 1976 | Continued winning as he won the championship, Brian tied for the championship positions. |
| 1977 | Brian claimed sixth place in Banner and vedges Internationale championship;. (original article says that he, at 37, claimed sixth place in the Benson and Hedges International Open.). finishing up by missing the play off.? |
| 1978-1984 | Brian finished in the top 25 of the European Tour’s Order of Merit and won two Tour titles: the 1978 Tournament Players Championship and the 1982 Car Care Plan International, cementing his status as a top player on the fledgling European Tour. Same reapeated in year 1978 and 1979 and 1981. |
| 1973-1990 | Brian represented Great Britain and Ireland in the PGA Cup, earning a reputation as one of the most accomplished players on the European Tour. His performances in the PGA Cup were instrumental in his selection for the European Team. |
| 1983 |
Brian made his solitary appearance at the Ryder Cup, representing Europe at the PGA National Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens. Partnering Ken Brown, he secured a 2&1 victory over Tom Watson and Fuzzy Zoeller in the fourballs. Despite a loss to Calvin Peete in the singles, his performance was pivotal in Europe’s narrow defeat by a single point in the Ryder Cup matches, this event exemplified his game as he was pivotal in the tournament, even though Europe did lose the final. |
| 1991 | Brian recovered from a serious car accident that hospitalized him for three months and rejoined the European Seniors Tour for its debut season, showcasing his resilience and determination to return to competitive golf. |
| 1992-1997 | Brian continued his success on the European Seniors Tour, accumulating four tournament victories and four top 10 finishes in the Order of Merit. |
| 1998 | Brian retired from competitive golf, becoming the first player to make a century of appearances on the Seniors Tour, a testament to his longevity and consistency in the sport |
Brian Waites’s journey from a PGA assistant to a Ryder Cup participant and a prolific winner on the DP World Tour is a testament to his dedication, skill, and love for the game. His legacy as a true PGA professional continues to inspire and remind us of the sportif ethos, fairness and passion that made him a true champion.