Bobby Breen dreamed of becoming a hockey player. He played all-star minor hockey in Guelph, played Junior B then had a year in Senior A before deciding he’d give golf a try. The shift in focus would change his life forever.
Breen started with a bang by winning the Junior Championship at the Guelph Country Club after just his first year. From there he went on to be a CPGA professional and the first head professional at Glen Abbey GC from 1973-1981.
He also had a very successful playing career. He won two Canadian Tour events and played in 10 Canadian Opens and several Senior’s Tour events including the U.S. Senior’s Open in 1990.
A mysterious virus contracted in Europe slowed him down in his early senior years but he has come back with a vengeance.
In 2002, over a two-and-a-half month span, Breen competed in his second U.S. Senior Open, won the Northern PGA Seniors, lost in a playoff for the Ontario PGA Seniors, tied for fifth at the CPGA Seniors, played for the winning Canadian team at the CPGA’s Can-Am Classic and teed it up in the AT&T Candian Senior Open in Winnipeg.
Truly, Bobby Breen is one of the greatest golfers our city has produced.
Inducted into the Guelph Sports Hall of Fame – Athlete category – on May 2, 2001
