Remembering Brian Waites:⁢ A Ryder Cup Legend‌ and PGA Pioneer

On March 11,​ 2025, the golf world mourns the loss of Brian Waites, who ‍passed⁤ away⁤ at‍ the‍ age⁣ of 85. Waites holds⁢ a ⁣distinguished place in golf history as⁣ the last customary PGA Club Professional to compete in the Ryder Cup. He also ‍secured two victories on what is now known as the DP world Tour.

A True ⁤Club Professional

While several PGA members, including notable figures like‍ Ian‍ Poulter⁤ and Paul Lawrie, have participated⁢ in ⁤the ⁣Ryder ‍Cup after completing the PGA’s training program, ‍Brian⁤ Waites remains ⁤the‍ last actively​ working club​ professional to earn ⁣a spot representing Europe. This momentous achievement occurred in 1983.

Waites was⁣ 43 years old when he joined Tony Jacklin’s team in Florida. His journey ⁣to the Ryder Cup began​ with his election to PGA⁤ Membership in 1958, following ‌his time as an assistant ​at Hesketh golf Club in​ Southport.

Early Career and Club Roles

Before making his mark ⁢on the European Tour,​ Waites held positions at Saltburn-by-the-Sea Golf Club and Brough Golf Club in ⁣North and East ⁣Yorkshire. In 1969, he took over from former PGA ⁣Captain David Talbot at Notts Golf Club (Hollinwell).

That same⁢ year,he ⁤qualified for the⁤ Open Championship,achieving a commendable tied-34th finish ⁢at Royal lytham and St Annes. This was a significant improvement from his previous appearance in‍ 1964 ⁢at St ⁤Andrews, where he missed the ⁤cut.

Early in his career,Waites primarily ‍participated in local⁣ and domestic tournaments,with fewer appearances⁤ in elite events. He demonstrated his skill ​by winning the Yorkshire open Championship while at Brough in 1996. Other victories included the Midland Open Championship in 1971 and three PGA ⁢Midland Professional Championships,⁤ starting in 1972. He also competed in the inaugural PGA Professional Championship at Calcot Park‌ in 1973, finishing‍ fourth and runner-up in 1975 and 1976, ‍respectively.

PGA Cup and european Tour ⁤Success

His strong performances in the PGA’s flagship event‍ led ‍to​ his selection‌ for the Great Britain and Ireland ⁣team in the inaugural PGA Cup​ in ⁢1973. Waites went ⁣on to participate in six more⁤ PGA Cups, with his final​ appearance⁣ in 1990.⁣ By this time, he⁤ had established⁢ himself as a formidable player on the burgeoning European ⁣Tour.

Waites achieved his first⁢ top 10 finish in 1977 at the age⁣ of 37, ⁣securing sixth⁣ place in the Benson and Hedges International Open. He followed this ‍with an improved performance at the Callers ⁢of Newcastle tournament, narrowly missing a ⁢playoff by​ a single stroke.

From⁣ 1978 to 1984, Waites consistently ranked among the top​ 25 ⁤in the European Tour’s Order of Merit. He claimed two tour titles during this period. ‍The first came in 1978 at the Tournament Players Championship, where he⁤ finished one shot ahead of Neil Coles. The second was‍ in 1982 at the Car Care Plan International.Additionally,​ Waites was ⁢runner-up‌ in the 1978 Dunlop Masters and the Tournament Players Championship in 1979 and 1981.

Ryder Cup Highlight

The pinnacle of his career arrived two years later.⁤ After delivering his best performance in the Open ⁢Championship, sharing 19th ⁣place with notable players like Greg Norman and Bernard Gallacher at Royal Birkdale, ⁢Waites made his sole Ryder Cup appearance.

Tony Jacklin, captain of Europe with ⁤team members Severiano Ballesteros, Nick⁤ Faldo, Bernhard Langer, Gordon J. Brand, Sandy Lyle, Brian Waites, Paul Way, Sam Torrance, Ian Woosnam, Jose Maria Canizares, Ken Brown and Bernard Gallacher during the 25th Ryder ‍Cup Matches on 14 October 1983 at the PGA National Golf Club in Palm‍ Beach⁣ Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Getty Images)

The 12-member team for the match‍ at the ‍PGA National ⁤Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens,‌ Florida, was ‌selected based on the ⁤1983 European Tour money list. Waites secured his place by earning £40,482 and finishing seventh.

Even⁤ though Europe lost the match by a single point,marking the closest finish as 1969,it signaled an impending shift⁣ in fortunes for the biennial ⁤competition.

During the match, Waites participated four times.⁣ He partnered with Ken Brown to achieve a 2&1 victory over Tom Watson and Fuzzy Zoeller in the fourballs.However, he ⁢lost his singles match against Calvin Peete on the 18th hole.

Later Career and Seniors Tour

Waites also represented England three times in the World Cup. After recovering from a serious car accident in‌ 1991, ⁢which required three months of hospitalization, he joined ‍the‌ European Seniors Tour⁢ for its inaugural season the following‌ year.

he continued to achieve success, securing four tournament victories and several top 10 finishes in‍ the Order of Merit. in 1998, ⁣he ⁢relinquished his role at Notts and retired from competitive ⁣golf a year later, becoming⁢ the first player to make 100 appearances‍ on⁣ the Seniors Tour.

Along with his accomplishments on the European Tour and its Senior offshoot,waites won five events on the Safari Circuit,including the Kenyan Open,and also the Nottinghamshire Open⁤ Championship ⁢and the Notts professional Strokeplay Championship seven times.

Brian’s passing‍ really marks the‍ end of an era.⁤ The role of a PGA Professional has changed so much since the time Brian turned pro when it was possible to serve a⁢ club and excel at the⁤ highest level. What’s more ⁢Brian achieved his success at an elite level in his later years, which is unlikely to happen now. Throughout those years as a club pro and then on tour, Brian never forgot his calling as a ​PGA ​Member – not only⁤ have we lost a throwback to a different time ⁢but also a very good friend of‌ the Association. Our ⁢thoughts go out to⁢ Brian’s wife Veronica and⁢ all his family members⁣ and friends.
PGA chief⁤ executive Robert Maxfield

brian Waites’ ​legacy as a dedicated PGA professional and accomplished player will be⁢ remembered fondly by the golf community.