Craig Swinburn, the East Midlands-based coach who helped golfers of all abilities and vintages improve their skills and competed regularly in PGA events, has passed away following a prolonged and courageous battle with cancer. Craig, who ran Derbyshire Golf Lessons out of Matlock Golf Club, was 47.
Craig turned professional in 1996 and studied for his PGA qualification under former Ryder Cup player Brian Waites at Notts Golf Club Hollinwell. Thus began an association with the Open Championship qualifying venue that lasted more than two decades.
His friendship with Danny Taylor, a PGA Professional who coached Craig for the past seven years, proved even longer.
“We first met playing in an Assistants’ event at Cavendish Golf Club 30 years ago and hit it off straight away,” recalled Taylor.
“Craig was a genuine gentleman and one of the good guys. He loved being a PGA pro and had a lot of friends – it’s a huge loss and he will be missed greatly.”
Having qualified as a PGA Professional, Craig initially concentrated on playing and put his skills to the test on a variety of tours, including the Asian, Challenge, Europro and MasterCard.
Arguably, however, his most prestigious success came in tandem with fellow PGA Professional Matt McGuire when the pair won the Confederation of Professional Golf Fourball Championship at Lumine, Spain, in 2012.
Closer to home, Craig began the next chapter of his career when he was appointed head PGA Professional at Shirland Golf Club, Derbyshire, in 2015.
Although he continued to compete in national and regional PGA tournaments, inspired by learning from the likes of Pete Cowen and Graham Walker, coaching became Craig’s major activity. So much so that in 2018 he set up Derbyshire Golf Lessons and moved to Matlock Golf Club.
Craig is survived by his five children, Georgia, Charlotte, Freddie, Hughie and Harvey, his father Sam, and mother June. The PGA extends heartfelt condolences to them on their loss.
