The Englishman has sadly passed away aged 65 after a short illness
Former European Ryder Cup Player Gordon J Brand Dies
Gordon J Brand has passed away aged 65 after a short illness.
The Englishman, born in Cambridge, appeared for Team Europe at the 1983 Ryder Cup and won six times across the main European Tour and the European Senior Tour.
Brand won seven times on the European Tour-affiliated Safari Tour from 1981 to 1990, including three Ivory Coast Opens and two Nigeria Opens.
He made more than 450 appearances on the European Tour and almost 200 starts on the senior tour.
Brand’s final pro victory came at Woburn in the 2008 Travis Perkins plc Senior Masters. (Photo by Phil Inglis/Getty Images)
He was also second to Greg Norman at the 1986 Open at Turnberry, in the same year he finished in his career-best 5th on the European Tour Order of Merit.
His only victory on the main European Tour came at the 1989 Belgian Open, where he beat fellow Englishman Mark Davis by six strokes.
Brand briefly became a referee on the European Tour before turning 50 and heading to the Senior Tour where he found plenty of success.
His five victories on the senior tour came at Woburn, Slaley Hall and in Spain, Barbados and Abu Dhabi.
His maiden European Senior Tour victory came at the 2005 Spanish Senior Open at Club de Campo
Keith Waters, the European Tour’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “We are all saddened to hear of Gordon’s passing. We shared the same coach when played together on Tour during the 1980s and I can honestly say not only was he a distinguished player, but he was also universally well-liked.
“Gordon had such a laid-back approach. I don’t think I ever saw him up uptight. He really was so friendly to everyone and he will be sorely missed by all of us who met him and knew him. Our thoughts are with his family.”
A number of tributes to Brand flooded in on social media:
Very sad to hear of the passing of Gordon J Brand. An Ilkley colleague. My thoughts are with his family. @StaysureTour @EuropeanTour @RyderCupEurope
— Colin Montgomerie (@montgomeriefdn) August 12, 2020
The @PGANorth are saddened to hear of the passing of Gordon J Brand. When in the UK he always supported both Regional and County events and was not only one of the greatest professionals on the circuit he was a truly great person, our thoughts are with his family at this time. pic.twitter.com/VD9VpMBVUU
— PGANorth (@PGANorth) August 11, 2020
So so sad to hear the news of the passing of Gordon J Brand. He was great company with a smile and a chuckle all the time. Some player as well. Was lucky enough to spend some great times with him . And feel privileged to have been one of his many friends RIP mate xx
— Peter Barber (@dgcpro) August 12, 2020
It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of Gordon J Brand. The thoughts of everyone at the Staysure Tour are with his family and friends. https://t.co/JxU66PpVSF pic.twitter.com/wCF1hebJWQ
— Staysure Tour (@StaysureTour) August 11, 2020
It is with great sadness that I report the passing of Gordon J Brand who passed away yesterday – Tournament winner and Ryder cup player #RIP #golf #rydercup #EuropeanTour #staysuretour pic.twitter.com/AZmZxIpwsJ
— Mark Mouland (@moulieontour) August 12, 2020
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