News

Farewell

December 02, 2009

Dave Adamonis

Father of tour pro Brad, the elder Adamonis was 2005 NAIA Coach of the Year for national champion Johnson & Wales (Miami). At 62, Oct. 10.

John Atkinson

Contest winner of the 2008 Golf Digest U.S. Open Challenge, Atkinson inspired hope with his strong fight against inoperable lung cancer. At 40, June 11.

Julius (Julie) A. Bescos

The USC Hall of Fame member was a past president of the Southern California GA. At 97, May 23.

Richard Blake

A member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America for 51 years and its president in 1971. At 80, Jan. 23.

Gene Borek

The New York-area club pro was one of the U.S. Open's great "unknown players." His second-round 65 in 1973 set an Oakmont record -- broken two days later by Johnny Miller's 63. At 72, April 14.

Wendy Boyd

A member of the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional Division, Boyd also instructed at Alabama State. At 57, Feb. 24.

Marjorie (Marge) Burns

The LPGA T&CP 1976 Teacher of the Year, Burns as a player won the North Carolina Amateur 10 times. At 83, June 3.

Pearl Carey

Recipient of the 2005 Joe Dey Award for excellent volunteer efforts. At 96, Feb. 23.

Helen Carter

A past president of the Women's Met GA. At 81, March 12.

Howard Cassell

A founder of the CC of Hudson (Ohio), he started the Hudson Junior Invitational in 1979. At 79, March 26.

Mallory Code

Carolyn Cudone

Longtime standout amateur who played in the 1956 Curtis Cup and from 1968-1972 won five straight USGA Senior Women's Amateurs, adding runner-up finishes in '74 and '75. At 90, March 19.

Ben Enoch

Promising Welsh amateur, who planned to attend East Tennessee State, was killed in a car accident. At 19, April 30.

Gordon Ewen

Accomplished administrator who was president of the Western GA in 1978 and 1979, and helped start the USGA Joe Dey Award given for outstanding volunteer service. At 93, Feb. 27.

Bob Fowler

Bay Hill media center official who had previously been a golf writer for the Orlando Sentinel. At 69, Jan. 16.

Mickie Gallagher Jr.

A PGA of America member since 1964, he was a teammate of Arnold Palmer's at Wake Forest. At 78, March 6.

Danny Gans

Entertainer and impressionist had run a junior golf tournament and golf academy in Nevada. At 52, May 1.

Scotty Gilmour

A tour caddie since the 1950s who worked for Tony Jacklin and Greg Norman, he was one of the first European loopers to work in America. At 75, May 5.

Bill Green

Brother of and caddie for tour player Ken, who, along with Ken's girlfriend, Jeannie Hodgin, 52, and Ken's dog, Nip, died in a highway accident. At 56, June 8.

Dr. Richard Ho

Pediatrician whose love for golf convinced him to organize the Hawaii State GA in 1984. At 82, May 14.

Ed Hoard

The 1999 PGA Golf Professional of the Year, he was also the '96 Horton Smith Award winner for education, a rules referee at two Ryder Cups and head pro at Athens (Ga.) CC. At 63, Aug. 31.

Betty Jameson

An LPGA Tour original founding player and Hall of Fame member, Jameson won the 1947 U.S. Women's Open and the U.S. Women's Amateur in '39 and '40. She later turned to teaching, painting and promoting the arts. At 89, Feb. 7.

Lamont (Monty) Kaser

Prior to a PGA Tour career in the 1960s and '70s, he'd won the 1966 U.S. Amateur Public Links title. At 67, Sept. 19.

Phil Kosin

Chicago-area newspaper and radio golf personality. At 58, Aug. 10.

John P. May

A versatile senior editor at Golf Digest from 1954 to '83, he promoted the feats of the common golfer and poked fun at pretentious behavior. At 89, April 29.

John F. McGillicuddy

As a Manufacturers Hanover Trust CEO he helped run the Westchester Classic in the 1980s. At 78, Jan. 4.

Howard F. McGovern

Father of pro player Jim, he was patriarch of the Metropolitan (N.Y.) Golf Writers' 1996 Family of the Year. At 80, April 14.

Ed McMahon

The sidekick to Johnny Carson on "The Tonight Show," he lent his name to the Quad Cities Open from 1975 to 1979 when it needed solid support. At 86, June 23.

Robert A. Miller Sr.

Past president of the Westchester (N.Y.) GA in 1996. At 81, May 11.

Eric Monti

Three-time PGA Tour winner who settled into teaching jobs in L.A., working with several Hollywood stars. At 91, Feb. 1.

Martin (Marty) Moraghan

Longtime USGA official and member of Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame. Son Mike coached Virginia from 1989-2004. At 93, Aug. 14.

Dwayne Netland

Senior Editor at Golf Digest from 1974 to '97, the former Minnesota sportswriter authored best-selling golf books with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope. At 77, June 30.

John Panton

Renowned for his long- and mid-iron play, the Scotsman played on three Great Britain Ryder Cup teams. At 92, July 25.

Bruce Parker

One of Ely Callaway's executive allies during a 15-year career promoting the Callaway brand. At 53, Oct. 24.

Fiona Pike

Australian golfer who played the LPGA Tour in the early 2000s. At 44, March 19. fordie pitts jr. A tournament winner in New England for more than 50 years, his steady job was co-owner of Hyannis GC. At 79, Oct. 27.

Robert (Skee) Riegel

A strong player with a deft touch, the late starter won the 1947 U.S. Amateur and was second in the 1951 Masters. At 94, Feb. 22.

Bob Rosburg

A six-time tour winner and the 1959 PGA champion, "Rossie" leaves a broadcasting legacy as an on-course reporter for ABC, noted for his dire shot calls. At 82, May 14. >>>Read more

Phyllis Semple

A fine player herself, she was mother of Hall of Famer Carol Semple Thompson and wife of 1974-75 USGA president Harton (Bud) Semple. At 87, Jan. 18.

Edwin (Bud) Shrake

Texas sports scribe who hung out with Dan Jenkins and put Harvey Penick's teaching thoughts in book form. At 77, May 8.

Beth Smith

Wife of PGA Tour player Chris Smith, and mother of two, killed in a car accident. At 42, June 21.

Charles (Charley) Stine

Founded Florida Golfweek (now Golfweek Magazine) in March 1975. At 81, March 3.

Dawson Taylor

Wrote historical books on St. Andrews and the Masters Tournament, plus a putting tome with Horton Smith. At 92, June 6.

John Updike

The master of every writing forum, he brilliantly described golf's foibles and triumphs in numerous essays. At 76, Jan. 27.

Harless Wade

Dallas sportswriter who covered golf for four decades. At 80, March 28.

Richard J. Welsh Jr.

Norfolk, Va., golf writer and contributor to Golf World. At 84, Aug. 27.

Toni Wiesner

A four-time Texas Women's Amateur winner, she played in 50 USGA events. At 62, July 27.

__William (Bill) Wilson __

Served two commissioners in a nearly 30-year PGA Tour career. At 90, March 19.