Eric Brown
Name:
Eric Chalmers BrownCountry:
ScotlandLived:
[1925-1986]. Born on Feb 15, 1925 in Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland. Died on March 6, 1986 in Haymarket, Edinburgh, aged 61.Original/Home Club:
Bathgate GC, West Lothian.Occupation:
Professional golfer and golf writer.Turned Pro:
1946Ryder Cup player (1953, '55, '57, '59). Ryder Cup captain (1969, '71). Scottish Amateur champion (1946). 26 professional wins in Britain and Europe. Harry Vardon Trophy as British PGA Order of Merit winner (1957).
Between the end of World War II and the formation of the European Tour in 1972, Brown was the dominant professional golfer in Scotland, alongside John Panton. In the 21 years from 1948, they each won the Scottish PGA Championship eight times, and actually tied for the title in 1966. Brown also won the prestigious Northern Open on four occasions between 1950 and 1957, to Panton's eventual haul of seven Northern Opens. Whereas Panton represented Gt Britain & Ireland in three Ryder Cups (1951, '53, '61), Brown played in four (1953, '55, '57, '59). He was also the non-playing captain of the GB&I Ryder Cup teams in 1969 and 1971.
Although sharing the limelight as Scottish golf professionals, Panton and Brown possessed contrasting personalities. Panton was quieter and more introspective; he "let his clubs do the talking". The "Brown Bomber" was so outgoing and volatile that it was said he could start an argument in an empty house.
Europe
News of the World
Played as the News of the World Match Play (Sept 5-8). Brown (Scot) beat Ross Whitehead (Eng) at the 19th hole in the final. [Old course, Walton Heath GC, Walton on the Hill, Surrey].
Europe
News of the World
Played as the News of the World Match Play (Sept 7-10). Brown (Scot) beat Harry Weetman (Eng) at the 20th hole in the final. [Ailsa course, Turnberry Resort, Ayrshire].
Europe
Dunlop
Played as the Dunlop £2750 Tournament. Eric Brown (Scot) and Ralph Moffitt (Eng) finished in a tie for first place. Jimmy Hitchcock (Eng) finished 2 shots back in third place. [King's course, Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder, Perthshire].
Europe
Yorkshire Eve. News
Played as the Yorkshire Evening News £1550 Tournament (June 18-20). Eric Brown (Scot) and Harold Henning (S Africa) finished in a tie for first place. Defending champion Peter Thomson (Aus) finished 1 shot further back in third place. [Moortown GC, nr Leeds, W Yorks, England].
Europe
Dunlop
Played as the Dunlop Masters (Sept 19-21). Second-placed Peter Alliss (Eng) finished 3 shots behind Brown (Scot). [Notts GC, Hollinwell, nr Mansfield, England].
Brown (Scot) won the Harry Vardon Trophy as the British PGA Tour 1957 Order of Merit winner. Award based on lowest scoring average in the season's top professional events.
Played as the inaugural Portuguese Open. Won by Eric Brown (Scot). [Estoril GC, Estoril, Portugal].
Europe
x
Played as the Irish Open (the first Irish Open since 1950, and not to be played again until 1975). Second-placed Harry Weetman (Eng) finished 1 shot behind wire-to-wire winner Brown (Scot). [Belvoir Park GC, Belfast, N. Ireland].
Played as the Italian Open. Won by Eric Brown (Scot). [Milano GC, Villasanta, Monza, nr Milan].
Europe
Penfold
Played as the Penfold Tournament (36-hole strokeplay followed by match play for the top 32 players). Brown (Scot) beat Laurie Ayton Jr (Scot) 6 and 5 in the final. [Llandudno Maesdu GC, Llandudno, N Wales].
Europe
x
Played as the Swiss Open. Won by Eric Brown (Scot). [GC Crans-sur-Sierre, Crans-Montana, Switzerland].
Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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