Brendan Ingham

Achievements:

• Club Championships: 7-time Mid Ocean Club Champion (spanning 4 decades)

• Bermuda Championships: Winner of 16 various Bermuda championships (1966-1976), including 4 Bermuda Open titles

• World Amateur Golf Team Championships: Represented Bermuda (1964-1976, 1980), tied for sixth-most appearances globally

• Royal and Ancient Golf Club's King William IV Medal: Winner at the Old Course at St Andrews

• Delegates and Duffers Cup: Winner as non-playing captain in 1984

Biography:

Brendan Ingham grew up in the shadow of Riddell's Bay Golf & Country Club, where his journey in golf began as a teenage caddy. With make-shift clubs and a natural talent for the game, Ingham quickly made a name for himself, winning the caddy tournament at Riddell's Bay. At the age of 19, he claimed his first major victory by winning the Club Championship in 1963.

In 1964, Ingham joined The Mid Ocean Club, where he enjoyed a long and illustrious career, winning the club championship seven times. Remarkably, he is the only person to have won the championship in four different decades, achieving this feat from the 1960s through the 1990s. His dominance extended to the local golf scene, where he secured 16 various Bermuda championships between 1966 and 1976, including four Bermuda Open titles.

Internationally, Ingham represented Bermuda at every World Amateur Golf Team Championship from 1964 to 1976 and again in 1980. Among all golfers worldwide, he is tied for sixth in terms of most appearances at the World Championships. His leadership skills shone through as he captained the Bermuda team more than any other Bermudian, serving as playing captain three times (1972, 1974, 1976) and non-playing captain five times (1984, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994). In 1984, he won the Delegates and Duffers Cup, a handicapped competition for representatives attending the World Amateur Golf Team Championships.

Perhaps his crowning achievement was winning the Royal and Ancient Golf Club's King William IV Medal on the Old Course at St Andrews. Competing against approximately 300 golfers, Ingham and Michael Hughesdon finished the one-round tournament with a score of 73, leading to an 18-hole playoff. Despite troublesome wind conditions, Ingham's 74 secured victory by two strokes.

Among his memorable moments, Ingham recalls narrowly missing a score of 59 by three-putting the last hole, ultimately finishing with a remarkable 60. He also had the opportunity to play against golfing legends Gary Player and Bob Charles in an exhibition match at Castle Harbor.

Legacy:

Brendan Ingham's exceptional career in golf, marked by numerous championships and international representation, solidifies his place as one of Bermuda's greatest golfers. His achievements, spanning multiple decades and continents, reflect his dedication, skill, and leadership in the sport. Ingham's legacy continues to inspire future generations of Bermudian golfers, showcasing the heights that can be reached through passion and perseverance.