He joined the PGA while working at Budock Vean Golf Club, Cornwall, in 1973 and was elected to membership three years later after learning his trade at Kedleston Park, Derbyshire, and then nearby Burton-on-Trent Golf Club.
Chris then moved north to Bishop Auckland Golf Club, County Durham, before heading for Germany where he spent the majority of his career.
He teamed up with his younger brother and fellow PGA Professional, Tim, at Golfclub Hamburg Gut Waldhof in 1992 and while there met and married Sylvia. The couple moved to Golfclub an der Schiel, Schleswig-Holstein, in 1997 and were there for five years before Chris found a site to build his own course and create a club that was open to the public as opposed to a private concern.
“Golf in Germany at the time was only for the privileged and people with money,” explained Sylvia.
“And Chris was determined to change that. I found the plot in Schleswig-Holstein and Chris designed the course. He also dug, shovelled and did everything as Golfpark Krogaspe became just one of three or four clubs in Germany that were open.”
Sylvia also played her part in designing the clubhouse and the couple owned and ran the club until 2018 when they sold it and moved to South Africa.
Chris planned to retire, and his intention was aided by Covid and lockdown. Once life returned to normal, however, he could not resist his passion for helping others improve their golf and became a valued member of the team at the Langebaan Country Estate, 80 miles west of Cape Town.
“Chris was a familiar and beloved presence at the club, instantly recognised by his warm and welcoming smile,” said a club spokesperson. “His kindness and genuine care touched the lives of everyone he met, from fellow golfers to the youngest members of our Junior Academy.
