Astbury Golf Club's teaching professional Granville Ogden has been awarded an honorary life membership of the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) for his services and contribution to fellow professional golfers.

Commencing his PGA career at Romiley Golf Club in 1974 as an assistant professional, Granville after qualifying went to The Royal Hague GC in Holland where he spent three seasons as their teaching professional.

The North West called, and he returned to Romiley as their head professional, staying for a "very enjoyable" 10 years.

Not one to rest on his laurels, he transferred his expertise to the newly opened Shrigley Hall, initially as head professional and latterly as the director of golf.

At Shrigley he used his many talents to organise some highly successful charity amateur-amateur competitions.

Notably, The Norman Wisdom Celebrity amateur-amateur competition, which raised thousands of pounds for the Christie Hospital and the Bobby Davro Celebrity am/am, again raising thousands for the Birmingham Children's Hospital.

During his time at Shrigley he taught many of the Manchester United legends of the day with players including the likes of Mark Hughes, Clayton Blackmore, Gary Pallister, Steve Bruce and Jim Leighton.

On leaving Shrigley he became a full-time coach specialising in video analysis, joining the teaching team at Astbury Golf Club which enabled this element of his teaching to continue.

His first love was always playing competitive golf, where he played on the European tour with the likes of Sandy Lyle, Ian Woosnam and Sir Nick Faldo.

Whilst never reaching the heights of his contemporaries he did win events in the UK, Holland and the USA.

He also played in many Northern PGA tour events collecting more than his fair share of wins along the way.

Wishing to put something back into golf, Granville held the position of regional vice-chairman for the Cheshire & North Wales PGA for 11 years, where he was highly regarded as per the following comment from the PGA.

"Granville Ogden is a shining example of what the PGA hopes its members will aspire to," said David Wright, PGA Welfare Executive.

"He has played his part in growing the game of golf, been a loyal and successful club professional and gave up his time to serve on the PGA in Cheshire and North Wales and PGA north region committees during the 1980s and 90s.

"Granville also excelled on the course, not least in qualifying for the 1976 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. His honorary PGA membership is a fitting reward."

In support of this prestigious honour from the PGA, Astbury Golf Club have also been granted life membership in recognition of his contribution to golf.