David G. Ogilvie III

David Gordon Ogilvie III passed away peacefully at his home on March 30, 2026. He was 89. David is survived by his loving wife Barbara (Ingebretsen) Ogilvie, his children David Ogilvie IV and Heather (Ian) Rubinstein, and his grandchildren George, Toby and Louie Rubinstein.

David came from a proud heritage of the sport of golf. David’s Scottish grandfather served as an assistant at St. Andrews Golf Club in Scotland, and became one of this country’s first golf professionals when he arrived in the United States in 1896. He was a pro at Augusta Country Club in Georgia, just a stone’s throw from Augusta National Golf Club, site of the Masters. David’s grandfather set the pins and tee placements for the first sixteen Masters Championships.

David’s father, David Ogilvie II, was born on the second floor of the clubhouse at Augusta Country Club. He played in the first Masters tournament in 1934. Following in his father’s footsteps, he became the head professional at Oakwood Club in Cleveland, Ohio, where David was born in 1936.

David received a scholarship to Wake Forest college thanks to the recommendation of the school’s famous alumnus Arnold Palmer. David played on the college golf team, losing only two matches in three years. He then worked for his father at Oakwood before playing on the PGA tour in 1958 and 1959. In 1960, David moved to Peoria, Illinois to become the assistant pro at the Country Club of Peoria. He was named head pro there the following year, where he stayed until coming to Flossmoor in 1967. All told, the three David Ogilvies were head professionals for over 100 consecutive years.

David’s contributions to women’s and junior golf were recognized throughout his career. In 1978, 1984 and 1986, he had the distinction of being recognized as Professional of the Year by the Illinois section of the Professional Golfers Association of America, the only pro to win the award three times. David served on the Illinois PGA’s executive committee for more than a dozen years, and served as the section’s president for two years. In 1986, David was awarded the golf profession’s highest honor – National Golf Professional of the Year.

David was considered by many to be one of the finest golf instructors in the country. A number of David’s students have gone on to become golf pros, club champions and scratch golfers. For many years, the Ogilvie Cup, an invitational tournament in his honor, was hosted by former students and friends, with players competing for a travelling trophy inscribed with the signature of the first David Ogilvie.

Time spent with David on the practice tee was never just about your swing. While “hold your finish” will be familiar to everyone who knew him, what we remember most is the example he set professionally and personally. David never let anything diminish his commitment to the game of golf. He lived a life of heart and adventure. A loyal friend, husband, father and grandfather, his legacy will live on in the many lives he touched, both on and off the course.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest making a donation in David’s name to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at www.nationalmssociety.org.