Gordon J. Brand Golf player
Gordon John Brand (born 6 August 1955) is an English professional golfer. Brand turned professional in 1976 and enjoyed full playing privileges on the European Tour for 20 years. During his time on tour, he finished inside the top 30 on the Order of Merit seven times and inside the top-100 16 times. His highest ranking came in 1986, fifth place, in which year he finished as runner-up to Greg Norman in The Open Championship at Turnberry. Brand is also remembered for recording a hole in one at the 16th hole during the 1981 Open Championship at Royal St George's Golf Club. In that year he won the Tooting Bec Cup after posting a round of 65. Gordon repeated this feat again in 1986 on his way to finishing runner-up.In 1989, Brand won his sole European Tour event winning by four shots at the Volvo Belgian Open at Royal Waterloo G.C., Brussels. He was also very successful in Africa, winning on the continent seven times notably winning the Open de Côte d'Ivoire no fewer than three times. He was twice a winner of the Safari Tour order of merit.Brand played in the 1983 Ryder Cup, represented England at the 1983 World Cup and was part of the 1986 and winning 1987 Dunhill Cup teams. Brands win against Sam Torrance helped, alongside Nick Faldo and Howard Clark beat Scotland on the final day to secure the title. After a successful golfing career, Brand went on to work for the European Tour as a tournament referee before quitting in 2005 to play on the European Seniors Tour. Since turning 50 and joining the European Seniors Tour in 2005 Brand has five victory's to his name, the most memorable coming at the 2008 The De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship. After a 72-hole score of 4-over par, Brand and Gordon Brand, Jnr of Scotland played a record equaling six hole playoff, with Gordon J. Brand winning the sixth extra hole with a par putt on the par 3 17th after playing the 18th hole five times. After his win, Brand credited his wife Lyn, a former Ladies European Tour player for a putting tip suggested to him before the final round. A week later, Brand also won the Travis Perkins Senior Masters at Woburn Golf Club. With that win, Brand finished a senior career best second on the Order of Merit behind former Masters champion Ian Woosnam. Since finishing second on the Order of Merit in 2008, Gordon has struggled for form finishing 21st and 15th in 2009 and 2010 Order of Merits respectively, posting only five top-10 finishes. Gordon J. Brand should not be confused with his Scottish contemporary Gordon Brand, Jnr.
