Payne Stewart

Bobbuttons · 06-13-2005, 07:34 PM

With the U.S. Open returning to Pinehurst No. 2 this week, the first return there since Payne Stewart's second Open win in 1999, ESPN.com has a nice story with interviews of people sharing their thoughts on Payne.

http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/usope...ory?id=2083797

I was a huge Payne Stewart fan. I remember when I was just a teen when he beat Scott Simpson for his first Open title. Then his ups and downs for the next decade. When he competed at Pinehurst 6 years ago I was working that weekend. I worked security and the plant was closed down on the weekend, so on Sunday I lugged my TV to work with me. I sat there that day and watched Payne Stewart sink that 15 foot putt on 18 and pump his fist. As a true fan, I was just as excited as he was. Then I watched the trophy presentation and heard the kind words he had for Phil Mickelson, who had taken him to the brink. To this day, when I watch my tape of that final round (that I recorded not long after his death when ESPN Classic aired a 2 day tribute) I get chills when I hear him foreshadow his death when he told Mickelson that he would get his, but Payne's chances might be on a short list.

Fast forward 4 months to me in South Carolina watching CNN coverage of an unidentified Lear jet flying off course over the midwest, before crashing in South Dakota. Then word came that my favorite athlete was on the plane. I was devastated. It was probably the worst I have felt over the death of anybody I had never met. It was a few years before I could really watch golf again. I still don't watch it much anymore, when I would tune in every tourney I could with Stewart in it.

Anyway, the story on ESPN.com is nice, as is the statue near the 18th green at Pinehurst, which is of the moment after the putt sank and Stewart pumped his fist in jubilation. A fitting tribute I think to the last Pinehurst Open champ.

pfreek11 · 06-13-2005, 07:44 PM

I had a tough time with his death, not only because I was a fan of his, but also because it was only months after my father had passed away. At the time, I was really sensitive to any father who died and I knew he had kids. Plus, I remember at the memorial that they had on the course, they had a lone bagpiper playing "Amazing Grace"...which was the same thing that my dad had requested for his memorial service. Basically, it just hit hard.

Thanks for starting this thread. It's always good to remember classy and fun athletes who have gone...

tim_uwrf · 06-13-2005, 08:11 PM

I remember when it happened. I honestly feel that he was the reason that I got interested in watching golf on television. That, and I loved his pants.

Erik W. · 06-13-2005, 09:25 PM

I met Payne Stewart a couple of times when I was a volunteer at the Greater Ozarks Open. He was a great guy, and I never saw him have anything but respect for anyone, even when he was a big star coming back to his little hometown to help their 2nd-rate golf tourney.

If there's a heaven, I hope he's getting the best tee times on God's golf course.

Kezzek · 06-14-2005, 12:33 PM

A first class man and a great father. I miss him too.

Tib · 06-14-2005, 01:06 PM

Two quick Payne Stewart stories:

From 1998-2000 I was working on the PGA Tour as a manufacturer rep for Yonex. Our contract guys included Phil Mickelson and Scott Hoch (who was a long-time and close friend of Payne's). My job was to make sure their equipment was perfect so they could go out and win tournaments.

Believe me, I lived and died with every shot Phil hit that final round because the clubs in his bag were the result of our collaboration. It was the most exciting round I'd ever seen. I can't tell you how heartbroken I was for Phil when Payne sunk that putt, but at the same time I had to respect what Payne accomplished. His game had experienced a resurgence after he got his head straight about a few things. His new devotion to God was one of the main reasons, he said.

Fast forward to the day his plane disappeared. He was flying to New Orleans, IIRC and I was in the office in Torrance (So Cal) when I heard the news report. My heart shot into my throat because Scott Hoch flew frequently with Payne to tournaments -- they both lived in Isleworth and often traveled together. I quickly called Sally, Scott's wife. As the phone rang I thought How do I start this conversation? What do I say if Scott's on the plane?"

Sally answered.
"Sally, it's Scott."
"He's not on the plane, Scott."
Oh my God, what a relief.

The worst part about Payne's death for me was the macabre reality that there was a plane flying across the nation and no one alive was on board. That and the terrible sense of loss we felt as a professional golf community for one of our own.

Story #2
Florida. The Walt Disney Championship. Payne's backyard. I'm on the practice range trying to get guys to hit our clubs. In my giant staff bag I have a brand new set of Yonex Tour irons I made myself for Payne. I had heard that he was testing new clubs, looking for a possible endorsement deal, and that he was open to new things. He was a pretty big name so I thought I'd give it a shot.

Sure enough, here he comes walking onto the range with about six people trailing him, all with clubs in their hands. Looked to me like the Titleist boys got to him first. But as he passed me he stopped and turned around.
"Hey, Yonex. Scott Hoch hits these, don't he?"
"Yes, sir," I say. "And you can hit them, too, if you like."
"He uses graphite shafts, though, right?"
"Right."
"Can you do steel for me?" He's holding the six iron I made for him now. A very nervous moment for me.
"We can't. Yonex makes only graphite shafts and they are exclusive."
"Well," he says with a cocky grin. "I don't think you can help me then, can you?" And he begins to walk away.

Now I'm kind of upset. I knew he liked to rub people this way. I knew he liked to play with guys in this semi-abrasive/friendly manner. But I was a little pissed that I spent 8 hours building him a set that matched his specs (not to mention all the detective work/persuasion I had to do to get those specs in the first place).

"That's all right, Mr. Stewart. I understand," I called after him. "Not everybody can hit graphite."

Well that stopped him. He turned on a heel, his entourage wheeling around him like the train of a bridal gown. "Give me those," he said with a smile. I knew instantly that he was only hitting them because I had the balls to say what I said.

He hit the whole set. Took about 30 minutes. Afterward we talked about Yonex and technology and shafts and Scott Hoch and everything. In the end he thanked me for the clubs but said he was so used to steel shafts he just preferred them.
"They work pretty well for Phil and Scott, though, don't they?"
"They do," I said.
We shook hands and the Titleist sycophants were at his heels again, but for 30 minutes I had my competition at bay while I worked with perhaps the sweetest swing the game had produced in 40 years.

After that we always shared a friendly nod in the locker room or on the practice range.
"Got any more clubs for me, Yo-nex?" he would say.
"Nah," I would reply. "You couldn't hit'em."

pfreek11 · 06-14-2005, 06:41 PM

Nice stories, Tib.

Thanks for sharing...

Bobbuttons · 06-14-2005, 07:03 PM

Yes, Tib, great stuff. I am sure that if you were to tell that story and leave out the names and just say a pro golfer, I am certain that most would know just who you were talking about. That story just seems so much like Payne, at least according to all the stories I have read about him from all that knew him.

Tib · 06-14-2005, 09:14 PM

It's funny. If we hadn't spent that half hour together I don't think I wouldv'e missed him one hundredth as much as I do.

He was arrogant and cocky and friendly and funny and classy and a loyal friend. He had a presence. You may not like him, but you couldn't forget him.

When Scott Hoch won Doral a couple of years later he dedicated the win to Payne.

darkhorse · 06-15-2005, 01:18 AM

Don't mock the Chinese!!!!11111

edrooney · 06-15-2005, 08:49 AM

I was (am) also a huge Payne Stewart fan. The defining story for me is anecdotal. By that I mean that I can't remember where I heard it, but have no reason to doubt its authenticity.

It was at a Ryder Cup on US soil in the early '90s. The crowd were giving the European golfers a tough time, but this particular year, the tone had breached mere partisanship, and turned a little sour. Monty bore the brunt of it, people yelling at him on his upswing, calling him names such as 'Fat b-' and even the magic C word which ladies hate.

At one point during a round, Payne turned to the crowd and asked them to ease up with the abuse and show some respect to the golfers. There was barely a peep put of the crowd from that moment on, such was the respect that Payne demanded.

A top man, a cracking golfer, an exuberant personality hugely missed on the golf course. Moreover, a gentleman.

Tib · 06-15-2005, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edrooney

I was (am) also a huge Payne Stewart fan. The defining story for me is anecdotal. By that I mean that I can't remember where I heard it, but have no reason to doubt its authenticity.

It was at a Ryder Cup on US soil in the early '90s. The crowd were giving the European golfers a tough time, but this particular year, the tone had breached mere partisanship, and turned a little sour. Monty bore the brunt of it, people yelling at him on his upswing, calling him names such as 'Fat b-' and even the magic C word which ladies hate.

At one point during a round, Payne turned to the crowd and asked them to ease up with the abuse and show some respect to the golfers. There was barely a peep put of the crowd from that moment on, such was the respect that Payne demanded.

A top man, a cracking golfer, an exuberant personality hugely missed on the golf course. Moreover, a gentleman.

I think you're thinking about Kiawah Island in 1991. Not sure about the story, but it wouldn't surprise me if it were true.

06-13-2005, 07:34 PM	#1
Bobbuttons Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Picturesque Mentor-on-the-Lake, Ohio Posts: 3,708	Payne Stewart With the U.S. Open returning to Pinehurst No. 2 this week, the first return there since Payne Stewart's second Open win in 1999, ESPN.com has a nice story with interviews of people sharing their thoughts on Payne. http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/usope...ory?id=2083797 I was a huge Payne Stewart fan. I remember when I was just a teen when he beat Scott Simpson for his first Open title. Then his ups and downs for the next decade. When he competed at Pinehurst 6 years ago I was working that weekend. I worked security and the plant was closed down on the weekend, so on Sunday I lugged my TV to work with me. I sat there that day and watched Payne Stewart sink that 15 foot putt on 18 and pump his fist. As a true fan, I was just as excited as he was. Then I watched the trophy presentation and heard the kind words he had for Phil Mickelson, who had taken him to the brink. To this day, when I watch my tape of that final round (that I recorded not long after his death when ESPN Classic aired a 2 day tribute) I get chills when I hear him foreshadow his death when he told Mickelson that he would get his, but Payne's chances might be on a short list. Fast forward 4 months to me in South Carolina watching CNN coverage of an unidentified Lear jet flying off course over the midwest, before crashing in South Dakota. Then word came that my favorite athlete was on the plane. I was devastated. It was probably the worst I have felt over the death of anybody I had never met. It was a few years before I could really watch golf again. I still don't watch it much anymore, when I would tune in every tourney I could with Stewart in it. Anyway, the story on ESPN.com is nice, as is the statue near the 18th green at Pinehurst, which is of the moment after the putt sank and Stewart pumped his fist in jubilation. A fitting tribute I think to the last Pinehurst Open champ. __________________ Frankenstein never scared me. Marsupials do....cause they're fast! Gibson swings, and a fly ball to deep right field! This is gonna be a home run! Unbelievable! A home run for Gibson! And the Dodgers have won the game, 5 to 4; I don't believe what I just saw! I don't believe what I just saw! Last edited by Bobbuttons; 06-13-2005 at 07:35 PM.

06-14-2005, 12:33 PM	#5
Kezzek All Star Reserve Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Keyboard - frantically typing in subtle insults to raise my self-esteem Posts: 973	A first class man and a great father. I miss him too. __________________ - Kez, P.E.

06-14-2005, 01:06 PM	#6
Tib All Star Reserve Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Paso Robles, CA Posts: 995	Two quick Payne Stewart stories: From 1998-2000 I was working on the PGA Tour as a manufacturer rep for Yonex. Our contract guys included Phil Mickelson and Scott Hoch (who was a long-time and close friend of Payne's). My job was to make sure their equipment was perfect so they could go out and win tournaments. Believe me, I lived and died with every shot Phil hit that final round because the clubs in his bag were the result of our collaboration. It was the most exciting round I'd ever seen. I can't tell you how heartbroken I was for Phil when Payne sunk that putt, but at the same time I had to respect what Payne accomplished. His game had experienced a resurgence after he got his head straight about a few things. His new devotion to God was one of the main reasons, he said. Fast forward to the day his plane disappeared. He was flying to New Orleans, IIRC and I was in the office in Torrance (So Cal) when I heard the news report. My heart shot into my throat because Scott Hoch flew frequently with Payne to tournaments -- they both lived in Isleworth and often traveled together. I quickly called Sally, Scott's wife. As the phone rang I thought How do I start this conversation? What do I say if Scott's on the plane?" Sally answered. "Sally, it's Scott." "He's not on the plane, Scott." Oh my God, what a relief. The worst part about Payne's death for me was the macabre reality that there was a plane flying across the nation and no one alive was on board. That and the terrible sense of loss we felt as a professional golf community for one of our own. Story #2 Florida. The Walt Disney Championship. Payne's backyard. I'm on the practice range trying to get guys to hit our clubs. In my giant staff bag I have a brand new set of Yonex Tour irons I made myself for Payne. I had heard that he was testing new clubs, looking for a possible endorsement deal, and that he was open to new things. He was a pretty big name so I thought I'd give it a shot. Sure enough, here he comes walking onto the range with about six people trailing him, all with clubs in their hands. Looked to me like the Titleist boys got to him first. But as he passed me he stopped and turned around. "Hey, Yonex. Scott Hoch hits these, don't he?" "Yes, sir," I say. "And you can hit them, too, if you like." "He uses graphite shafts, though, right?" "Right." "Can you do steel for me?" He's holding the six iron I made for him now. A very nervous moment for me. "We can't. Yonex makes only graphite shafts and they are exclusive." "Well," he says with a cocky grin. "I don't think you can help me then, can you?" And he begins to walk away. Now I'm kind of upset. I knew he liked to rub people this way. I knew he liked to play with guys in this semi-abrasive/friendly manner. But I was a little pissed that I spent 8 hours building him a set that matched his specs (not to mention all the detective work/persuasion I had to do to get those specs in the first place). "That's all right, Mr. Stewart. I understand," I called after him. "Not everybody can hit graphite." Well that stopped him. He turned on a heel, his entourage wheeling around him like the train of a bridal gown. "Give me those," he said with a smile. I knew instantly that he was only hitting them because I had the balls to say what I said. He hit the whole set. Took about 30 minutes. Afterward we talked about Yonex and technology and shafts and Scott Hoch and everything. In the end he thanked me for the clubs but said he was so used to steel shafts he just preferred them. "They work pretty well for Phil and Scott, though, don't they?" "They do," I said. We shook hands and the Titleist sycophants were at his heels again, but for 30 minutes I had my competition at bay while I worked with perhaps the sweetest swing the game had produced in 40 years. After that we always shared a friendly nod in the locker room or on the practice range. "Got any more clubs for me, Yo-nex?" he would say. "Nah," I would reply. "You couldn't hit'em." __________________ https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...ad.php?t=64219 Last edited by Tib; 06-14-2005 at 01:10 PM.

06-14-2005, 07:03 PM	#8
Bobbuttons Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Picturesque Mentor-on-the-Lake, Ohio Posts: 3,708	Yes, Tib, great stuff. I am sure that if you were to tell that story and leave out the names and just say a pro golfer, I am certain that most would know just who you were talking about. That story just seems so much like Payne, at least according to all the stories I have read about him from all that knew him. __________________ Frankenstein never scared me. Marsupials do....cause they're fast! Gibson swings, and a fly ball to deep right field! This is gonna be a home run! Unbelievable! A home run for Gibson! And the Dodgers have won the game, 5 to 4; I don't believe what I just saw! I don't believe what I just saw!

06-14-2005, 09:14 PM	#9
Tib All Star Reserve Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Paso Robles, CA Posts: 995	It's funny. If we hadn't spent that half hour together I don't think I wouldv'e missed him one hundredth as much as I do. He was arrogant and cocky and friendly and funny and classy and a loyal friend. He had a presence. You may not like him, but you couldn't forget him. When Scott Hoch won Doral a couple of years later he dedicated the win to Payne. __________________ https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...ad.php?t=64219

06-13-2005, 08:11 PM	#3
tim_uwrf Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Field of Dreams Posts: 1,998	I remember when it happened. I honestly feel that he was the reason that I got interested in watching golf on television. That, and I loved his pants.

06-13-2005, 09:25 PM	#4
Erik W. Global Moderator Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Rivière-du-Loup, Qc Posts: 4,615	I met Payne Stewart a couple of times when I was a volunteer at the Greater Ozarks Open. He was a great guy, and I never saw him have anything but respect for anyone, even when he was a big star coming back to his little hometown to help their 2nd-rate golf tourney. If there's a heaven, I hope he's getting the best tee times on God's golf course.

06-15-2005, 01:18 AM	#10
darkhorse Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: fort worth, tx Posts: 10,850	Don't mock the Chinese!!!!11111 __________________ "The Human Torch was denied a bank loan."

06-15-2005, 08:49 AM	#11
edrooney All Star Reserve Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bristol, UK Posts: 688 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	I was (am) also a huge Payne Stewart fan. The defining story for me is anecdotal. By that I mean that I can't remember where I heard it, but have no reason to doubt its authenticity. It was at a Ryder Cup on US soil in the early '90s. The crowd were giving the European golfers a tough time, but this particular year, the tone had breached mere partisanship, and turned a little sour. Monty bore the brunt of it, people yelling at him on his upswing, calling him names such as 'Fat b-' and even the magic C word which ladies hate. At one point during a round, Payne turned to the crowd and asked them to ease up with the abuse and show some respect to the golfers. There was barely a peep put of the crowd from that moment on, such was the respect that Payne demanded. A top man, a cracking golfer, an exuberant personality hugely missed on the golf course. Moreover, a gentleman. __________________ I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore.