Harry Flatman’s successful career as a professional golfer was not only achieved against the odds but was also at odds with his origins. Born within earshot of Bow Bells in east London, Harry was a genuine Cockney, but it was an area that could be described as a golfing desert. Furthermore, its residents viewed golf as a game played by toffs and the well-heeled. Harry, however, was intrigued by golf and, showing a determination that contrasted sharply with his lightweight physique, set his sights on not only playing the game well but earning his living from it.
The nearest club to his home was at Wanstead and, once he had persuaded Reg Knight, the head professional, to take him on as an assistant, Harry set about fulfilling his dream. Having joined the PGA in 1960 and been elected to Membership 12 months later, Harry’s first three years at Wanstead were marked by him using borrowed clubs to play in tournaments and working nights in a bakery to pay for the entry fees.
Seeing his young recruit’s enthusiasm and desire to succeed, Knight responded with a helping hand. A regular competitor in the Open Championship who finished tied 14th at Royal Birkdale in 1961, and author of an instruction book, Learn Golf Backwards, he was well-qualified to help Harry hone his skills on the course.
He also taught Harry how to mend clubs and run a pro shop off it. All of which resulted in Harry being head-hunted by nearby Romford Golf Club in 1968 to succeed Brian Huggett as head professional.
“Harry was just 23 and became one of the youngest head professionals in the country,” recalled Gordon Goldie, the owner of Chingford Golf Range and a longtime friend. “Being the head professional at that age was almost unheard of.”
Harry served Romford for the next 30 years and, as well as becoming a popular and valued figure at the club, enjoyed success on the course.
“He was one of the pre-eminent players in Essex for a number of years – from the late 60s right the way through to the mid to late 80s,” said former PGA Captain Alan Walker, who played with or against Harry on many occasions.
“I don’t think any part of his game was outstanding, but his golf game was outstanding. That sounds like double Dutch, but it really sums him up. He was one of those players who drove it well, hit fairway woods well, long irons well, everything right the way through the bag and he chipped and putted the ball well.
“The other thing he had was a great temperament. You wouldn’t have known whether Harry had shot 65 or, I’m not going to say 85 because I never remember him ever going over 73 or 74. But he really was a great little natural player.
“Harry was one of those players who had a real presence in an event and someone you knew was going to shoot a really good round of golf.”
Harry proved that countless times, not least in winning the Sunningdale Foursomes with Romford member Alan Bird in 1971, the Essex Open Championship in 1975, 88 and 89 and the East Anglian Open in 1981.
Then, on turning 50 in 1995, he qualified to play on the European Seniors Tour. He enjoyed his best result in the following year by finishing runner up to Tommy Horton in the Turkish Senior Open. By way of celebrating, Harry, who had a prolific love for tea and drank up to 20 cups of the beverage every day, settled down in his hotel room with a cigarette and a brew from a tea machine he had smuggled into Turkey.
Harry also achieved top 20 placings in France, Holland, Scotland and the Senior PGA Professional Championship at The Belfry before retiring in 1998 to pursue other interests.
“He was very keen on building model railways,” Goldie explained. “And he was very interested in popular music and dance. He joined a tap-dancing club to keep fit during his playing days and as recently as January gave a superb demonstration of Fred Astaire’s golf dance during Graham Burroughs’ Life Time Achievement Award dinner.”
Harry also worked as a disc jockey playing hits from the 1950s and 60s and Walker added:
“He had an amazing record collection and knowledge of the subject. If you named any recording artist of that era, he would know them. As for his love of railways, the cover for the invite to his funeral featured images of two steam trains.”
Harry is survived by Jill, his wife, daughters Sarah and Jessica, and grand-daughters Phoebe, Isla, and Reenie. The PGA extends heartfelt condolences to them and Harry’s other family members and friends on their loss.