Andrew Murray, Golfer

Andrew Murray – European Open Golf Championship winner, 1989

One of the estate’s finest sportsmen is Andrew Murray. Born in 1956 he lived on Fordbank Road and followed in his father’s footsteps in joining the nearby Didsbury Golf Club as a junior member in 1966, aged ten. His close proximity to the course enabled him to practise and play whenever he wished and his game quickly improved, winning the junior club championship two years later off 18 handicap. He became captain of the junior section and his handicap was down to 8 by 1970, and the following year made the Cheshire junior team playing off 4 handicap. He turned professional in 1972 and became an assistant at Bramhall Park Golf Club. He played on the European Tour from 1979 to 1995.

In 1985 he won the Northern Professionals’ title, and in 1987 he won the Trinidad & Tobago Open. 1988 saw his ranking improve and he again won the Trinidad & Tobago Open, as well as the Johnnie Walker International Open in Tobago.

1989 brought the magnificent and very popular winning of the Panasonic European Open Championship at Walton Heath, Surrey, with a four-round total of 277 (11 under par). Although this was Andrew’s only win on the European Tour, it led to invitations and exemptions for other tournaments and for a number of years afterwards his name was a familiar sight on tournament result sheets. He played with and against many of the best golfers around at the time.

In 1990, Andrew again won in Tobago, the BWIA International Trophy, in the same year again qualifying for the British Open for the third time. Later that year he competed in the World Series of Golf in Akron, Ohio, USA as the only British competitor.

Quite a number of residents on the Ford Bank estate are – or have been – members of either Didsbury or Withington Golf Clubs, both within easy walking distance. Some have held prominent positions at their club, such as Captain, President or Honorary Life Member. Others have excelled at the game and won major honours, such as multiple club championships, local amateur open events, and the odd Cheshire County title. The estate is so handily placed for any youngsters wishing to take up the game by joining a local club.

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