Glenn Ralph
Glenn Ralph
Glenn Ralph was born in Haslemere, Surrey and played his junior golf at Cowdray Park Golf Club in Midhurst. He started at the age of 10 caddying for his dad, Jack, every sunday. Glenn took a club with him and had a few swings whilst waiting on the course, copying the swings of players on the course. So impressed with his eagerness to learn, his father signed him up for junior classes and so began Glenn’s golfing career.
Glenn turned profession in 1973, and played on the European Tour for many years.
Early Days
As a keen junior golfer, I played 3 rounds of golf a day during the summer holidays. Due to this commitment, my golf improved and I won Cowdray’s Scratch and Handicap cup at the age of 14. I reached a handicap of 4 on my 15th birthday. At the age of 17, I joined Harry Riseborough as assistant pro at Bognor Regis Golf Club. At this time I won the Sussex Stroke Play and Match Play Event 7 times, to the dismay of my dear friend and many time runner up Keith McDonald.
Glenn Ralph - Life on Tour
My life on tour started in 1978 when I won the first European Tour qualifynig school at Foxhills. I would wait many years until my next win, although I had many near misses along the way. In 1980 I lead the Dutch open by 11 shots after 2 rounds and went on to finish 3rd. I was the early first round leader in the British Open at Muirfield in 1980. I was leading from Seve Ballesteros going in to the last 6 holes of the Portuguese Open and leading the Spanish Open from Bernard Langer with 4 holes to play and finished 4th. The safari tour in Kenya was another close call when I lost in a playoff to Paul Carmen ( we won’t mention the 3 foot put I missed on the 1st play off hole.)
Glenn Ralph – 3rd in the Swiss Open
Glenn Ralph - Seniors Tour
After playing on Tour for 16 years, I spent a brief period as Tournament Director before becoming Head Professional at Camberley Heath GC where I met my wife Michele. Although I did not know it at the time, Michele would prove to be the missing link in my quest for my next tour win. After my 50th birthday I played on the Seniors Tour. A strong first year and 3rd place in the Scottish Seniors Open meant exemption for the following year. I had another near miss in my 2nd year, finishing 2nd in the Scandinavia Open. I lost in a play off to John Chillas however this result secured an invitation to Mauritius Tour Championship. Unfortunately my tournament ended abruptly when I broke my tibia and fibula in a swimming accident but was granted a medical extension for the following year.
Glenn Ralph - Winner of the Scottish Seniors Open
After two rounds I was 4 under and in a great position, I played the final round with Luis Carbonetti and Bob Cameron. All tied on the 16th tee but a great 2 put from 100ft on 16 and a good par on 17 gave me a one shot lead going up the last. Stood on the 18th tee, I found myself back to the place I had been so many times before. With little confidence and worrying about outcomes I grabbed my driver as it was one of the straightest clubs in the bag. “3 wood is the club” said Michele, “Driver brings the bunker into play.” So 3 wood it was and a perfect shot. Same story for the 2nd shot. I went for the 2 iron, “2 Iron will bring the cross bunkers into play, 4 iron is the club.” said Michele. Another perfect shot.
My story continues as a coach. I now teach at Basset Down GC near our beautiful home town of Marlborough in Wiltshire.
Scottish Senior Open
After a lot of help from the European Tour physiotherapy team I approached the season with a lot of trepidation. I shouldn’t have worried as it turned out to be one my best season ever. Michele had now become my full time caddy and the secret 15th club in my bag. We were back in Scotland, this time at St. Andrews Bay Golf and Country Club. The course, designed by the legend Sam Torrance, boasts spectacular views across the bay. With my twice a day physio, my leg was continuing to improve and I was really enjoying my golf. Michele had become a great caddy and involved in every aspect of the job. Scotland produced the usual variable weather but they are conditions I seem to like, if not enjoy.
Glenn Ralph – Winner of the Scottish Seniors Open
With 92 yards to the green into a strong breeze, this was perfect for a knocked down pitching wedge. I looked at Michele who by now looked as nervous as I did. “I’ve got this” I said. It was a great shot onto the back shelf of the green, 10 feet from the pin. So after a wait of nearly 40 years a 2 putt secured my next tour victory, oh it felt good. You will see on these pages a picture on me picking up Michele in our celebration, what a caddy. The first Person I spoke to was Sam Torrance who called me to congratulate me. Thanks go not only to my darling Michele but also to the two Dave’s who helped my along my way. David Llewelyn my confidant and Dave Wilkinson (The Swing Factory) my coach.
