Philip Wogan, ASGCA Fellow died on Jan. 15, 2010 in Danvers, Mass. after a short illness. He was 91.
Wogan practiced golf course architecture in New England and was primary architect on more than 40 layouts in that region. He began his post-secondary education studying forestry at North Carolina State and Penn State until he enlisted in the U. S. Army, where he served in the Army Specialized Training Program and the 84th Infantry Division in Germany and Belgium. He was awarded the Bronze Star for service at the Battle of the Bulge.
After the war in 1946, he married Betty Guignet and continued his college studies at Boston University (B.S. Biology, M.S. Education). He taught high school biology until 1957 when his father’s death prompted him to take over the grounds and golf tournament activities at the Essex County Club in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Mass. Eugene “Skip” Wogan practiced golf course architecture with Philip as E.F. Wogan & Sons in addition to his duties at Essex. Philip continued to operate the company until 2004.
Wogan joined the American Society of Golf Course Architects in 1969 and became the Chairman of the Environmental Impact Committee (now the Environmental Committee) in 1971, drawing on his experience in biology, golf course maintenance and golf course architecture to promote the environmentally-responsible design practices of ASGCA members. He associated with a number of ASGCA members during his career and was elected an ASGCA Fellow in 1989.
Wogan’s representative courses include Halifax Country Club, Halifax, Mass.; Pembroke Country Club, Pembroke, Mass.; Point Sebago Club, Casco, Maine; Maplegate Country Club, Franklin, Mass. and John H. Cain Golf Club, Newport, N.H. Wogan was predeceased by his wife in 2000 and is survived by his six children, ten grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services are being arranged by Grondin Funeral Services. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Hospice of the North Shore, Danvers, Mass. or the ASGCA Foundation.
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