James Ockenden

James Ockenden (July 1885[1] – 30 November 1949[2]) was an English professional golfer. His best finish in a men's major golf championship was seventh place in the 1914 Open Championship.

James Ockenden
Personal information
Full nameJames Ockenden
BornJuly 1885
Epsom, Surrey, England
Died30 November 1949 (aged 64)
Finchley, London, England
Sporting nationality England
Career
Turned professional1905
Professional wins2
Best results in major championships
Masters TournamentDNP
PGA ChampionshipDNP
U.S. OpenDNP
The Open Championship7th: 1914

Golf career

He was first employed at Epsom Golf Club near his home, before moving to Wembley Golf Club. In 1914 he moved to West Drayton Golf Club but in 1916 he joined up and served in France during World War I. After the war West Drayton was redeveloped and Ockenden moved again to Raynes Park Golf Club.[1]

Prior to the war his best performance was to finish seventh in the 1914 Open Championship. He had some success in the 1920 News of the World Match Play tournament and the following year he was selected for the British team in the International Match at Gleneagles. He won the 1922 Roehampton Tournament and the 1923 Open de France. Following this success he toured America with Arthur Havers from December 1923 to April 1924 during which he was runner-up in the 1924 Texas Open.[1]

In 1925 Raynes Park was also sold for housing and he moved to Hanger Hill Golf Club and then to his final club, North Middlesex Golf Club, in 1928. At North Middlesex he was assisted by his two sons, James and Frederick. His first wife Beatrice died in 1930 and he remarried to Annie in 1933. His son James moved to South Africa in 1934 and was the runner-up at the South African PGA Championship in 1947 and 1948.

Death and legacy

In December James travelled to South Africa to join his son but while there had his leg amputated. He returned to England in November 1949 but died three weeks later.[1][3] On 3 September 1949 a four-ball match was played at North Middlesex to raise money for Ockenden. Bobby Locke went round in 60, 9-under-par. The match raised about £450.[4]

Tournament wins

Results in major championships
Tournament 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919
The Open Championship T29 T37 7 NT NT NT NT NT
Tournament 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929
The Open Championship T66 T51 T25 T20 T39 T23 T49
Tournament 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935
The Open Championship CUT CUT

Note: Ockenden only played in The Open Championship.

  Top 10
  Did not play

NT = No tournament
CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place

Team appearances

References
  1. Tanner, Nicholas (2014). "James Ockenden 1885-1949 - Professional Golfer".
  2. "Find a will | GOV.UK".
  3. "Death of J. Ockenden". The Times. 2 December 1949. p. 2.
  4. "Locke's brilliant round". The Times. 5 September 1949. p. 6.
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