Albert Hockey

The golfing history of the Harradine family spans three generations.

It began in 1920 when Donald Harradine’s step-father, Albert Hockey re-modeled his first course and founded an indoor golf academy at “Harrods”.

He also manufactured his own brand of clubs under the name “HOCKEY"

Don Harradine

One of Don Harradine's main concerns was to provide a first class education and training for greenkeepers and ensure due recognition for their work. He actually considered them to be the most important people on golf courses. It was for those very reasons that he founded the International Greenkeeper's Association (IGA) in 1969. The IGA gave birth to today's national greenkeeper's associations which continue to play a crucial role in the golf industry.

Don Harradine established Harradine Golf by designing and building his first course in Switzerland in the year 1929 and pursued an illustrious career until his retirement in the late 80's.

Born in 1911 in London, Donald Harradine grew up with his step-father who provided him with an early connection to golf which gave Don his future passion and intensity for the game and he actually reached a handicap of +5 which he held for many years.

During his long and stimulating career he designed, built and rebuilt countless courses and his influence on European golf is undeniable. His style was the simple and uncomplicated integration of the course in to the natural landscape whilst producing a tough but fair golfing challenge.

One of Don's specialties was the design and construction of courses on very limited and problematic areas and usually with severe budget restrictions, a specialty which he fully mastered and has been rarely equaled.

Don was a founder member of the European Society of Golf Course Architects and was the first European based member of the British Association of Golf Course Architects which he joined at their very first AGM in 1971.

Don and Babette

During 1939-1945 Don worked at the British Embassy in Berne and destiny ensured that a malfunctioning ski-lift led to an encounter with his future wife Babette.

The marriage clearly supported Don’s career as it flourished and developed in to a very productive and persevering partnership.

In 1969 Don and his wife Babette founded the International Greenkeeper's Association (IGA) in order to educate and enhance the profession which was and sometimes still is a poorly understood and ungrateful occupation. Sponsored by manufacturers within the industry, they organized seminars and workshops. Specialized speakers from the industry talked about new methods and daily problems.

These informal meetings provided a forum for important exchanges of ideas and a bulletin was produced in German, English, Italian and French containing articles on the latest maintenance technologies.