'My dream was to become a golf professional, until a big shock - I was diagnosed with cancer': Dr Chris Hogg
'My dream was to become a golf professional, until a big shock - I was diagnosed with cancer': Dr Chris Hogg
On the walls of Chris Hogg’s Dublin dental surgery, there are two framed certificates. One says Chris Hogg – PGA Professional (2004), the other certificate has his dentistry qualifications (2017). How does a member of the Professional Golfers’ Association go on to become a dentist? And why?
The 46-year-old married father of two has lived several lives. His is the story of how a young boy followed his dream of becoming a professional golfer, pursued it and then changed his mind. When major obstacles came his way, he went back to the drawing board and came up with a new life plan.
Growing up in Conlig, Co Down, Hogg could walk to his local golf club. It was only 500 yards away. “My grandad introduced me to golf,” he says. “He bought me my first set of Ben Sayers golf clubs. I was very fortunate because the junior membership for this great golf course wasn’t expensive. I was able to become a member at 12. I’d walk over and play 36 holes of golf every day in the summer. My dad was quite enthusiastic about it as well.
“No one really taught me. I just picked up tips and watched great golfers like Ian Woosnam, Nick Faldo, Sandy Lyle and Greg Norman on TV.”
What was the appeal of golf? “I loved being outside. All the onus was on you and you were responsible for each shot. Everything was in the head and I liked that,” Hogg says. “In golf, you have to overcome yourself continually and you have to have a lot of resilience. Golf is like life. There are ups and downs. You have to learn from your mistakes.”
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