Posted on 10/24/2009 12:06:21 AM PDT by cleveland gop
Do you remember where you were 10 years ago when you heard the reports of an aircraft flying across the central U.S. without any communication with ground controllers? Later of couse before the plane crashed the passenger list was made public but you didn't want to believe it? Then at mid afternoon with the aircraft out of fuel the crash into a rural area of South Dakota?.........
Do you remember........
William Payne Stewart was born January 30, 1957 in Springfield, MO. Payne learned the game from his father Bill who was a golf pro at an area course.
Payne went to SMU to continue his golfing career and began his professional career in 1981 playing in Asia, Japan and Australia. It was during this time he would meet his soon to be wife, Tracey. In 1982, Payne returned to the US and began playing on the PGA tour and it didn't take long to win his first professional event, the 1982 Quad Cities Open, the only time Bill Stewart saw his son play in person. This win was the one of 24 world wide events he won, with 11 victories on the PGA Tour.
With his father dying during the 1987 season, when Payne won at Bay Hill in his hometown of Orlando he donated the $150,000 price money to local charities. This one act of kindness signaled a reniscance in Payne's career. once known as brash, arrogant and aloof, Payne thanks to Tracey and becoming a devout Christian became one of the most liked and popular players on tour.
Payne's trademarks were unmistakable, from the smooth club swing, to the unique clothing including knickers, chapeau hats and the occasional tie. But most of us remember the NFL apparel that added to the style factor.
One of Payne's closest friends on tour, Paul Azinger won the 1989 Memorial with a hole out for birdie on the 72nd hole. When Payne missed his par putt, the 2 players were equally happy for one another!!!
Payne won three majors out of his 11 victories on tour. The first of those came at the 1989 PGA Championship at Cog Hill. His second major came at the 1991 US Open at Hazeltine. The most memorable and final major victory came at Pinehurst #2 in the 1999 US Open when Payne beat Phil Mickelson with a16 foot birdie putt on the 72 hole. After celebrating with his caddie, Mike Hicks, Payne went to a disconsolant Phil, cuped his hands on Phil's face and reminded Phil that he was about to become a father for the first time.
Shortly thereafter Payne competed on his 5th (1987, 1989, 1991, 1993)Ryder Cup. Brookline Country Club in Boston was the setting for the remarkable comeback by the American team, who trailed by 4 points going into the Sunday's play. Everyone remembers the words of Captain Ben Crenshaw who the evening before used his pointed finger saying I've got a good feeling about this.....and then the players and Bush 41 giving speeches of support for one another. Justin Leonard's 40 foot putt will always be remembered, but Payne Stewart again showed why he was as beloved a player at the time. With the Ryder Cup being decided the match between Payne and Colin Montgomerie reached the 17th green all square. Watching Colin being berated all day by the partisian crowd, Payne conceded the match at that point, went to Colin and apoligized for the way he was treated. Talk to Colin about it even today brings a tear to his eye.....
So Payne Stewart was on top of the world. With Tracey and their 2 children, 13 year old Chelsa and 10 year old Aaron and all of the friends Payne had from the golf, sports and entertainment world, one could argue that Payne and Tiger Woods would lead the game into the 21st century......
And then came October 25, 1999..........Scheduled to fly from his home in Orlando first to Dallas to attend a groundbreaking event for a new golfing facility at his alma mater SMU and then to pick up Justin Leonard and continue on to Houston to compete in the season ending Tour Championship. Shortly after departing Orlando the LearJet35 lost cabin pressure over the Florida panhandle. As a result all 6 passengers became incapacitated leaving the aircraft to fly off course on auto pilot. Fighter jets were sent up as the plane traveled over the mid south and all they could report was the frosted up windows in the cockpit. 4 hours after departing Orlando the plane ran out of fuel and crashed in a field in Mina, South Dakota.
On this 10 year anniversary we also remember the other 5 people who left behind children spouses and loved ones. Pilots Michael Kling and Stephanie Bellegarrigue, golf course architect Bruce Borland and Payne's agents Robert Fraley and Van Ardan.
To say the golf world cried that day is an understatement. Thousands attended funeral and memorial services in Orlando and those closest to Payne in friendship his swing coach Chuck Cook, Paul Azinger and Orel Hershisher gave stirring tributes to their friend. And Tracey with Greg Norman sheding tears in remembrance. The Tour Championship was played as scheduled at Champions Golf Club but not before a stirring sunrise tribute on Thursday morning Oct. 28th where Tom Lehman lead the tearful event that ended with a single bagpiper playing Amazing Grace while walking down the fog covered first fairway. All of the 28 golfers in the field paid tribute to Payne in some way with Paul Azinger wearing Payne's signature outfit during the final round.
Tributes went up in Springfield and in Mina and since 2000, the PGA Tour has awarded the Payne Stewart Award to the player on tour who most exemplifies the ideals and charity that Payne did. Winners have included Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. Kenny Perry is this year's winner...
Also earlier this year the facility at SMU was completed and the Payne Stewart Golf Club opened in Branson, MO. The course, designed by Mark McCumber and Chuck Cook features replica holes from some of Payne's favorite courses.
Tracey Stewart still resides in Orlando and leads the charitable foundation of Payne.
Chelsa Stewart now 23 resides in Atlanta and is involved in the charitable foundation for the Tour Championship.
Aaron Stewart is 20 and is a member of the golf team at SMU. payne always said it was up to him individually to decide to take up golf without any pressure from Payne. If You've seen Aaron swing, the apple didn't fall far from the tree....
Ten years later we remember William Payne Stewart........
This is not the place to bring up negative and unfounded statements concerning certain other players that always pops up every time I put up a golf thread. Don't let me have to zot anyone.....
Pinging the golf peeps....
(Don't let me have to zot anyone..... I learned much from the air tragedy which happened to others in sports.)
I wouldn’t want to face the wrath of your zot cannons, for sure.
great thread
I go to Pinehurst regularly. There’s a statue of Payne at the 18th in his victory, fist out pose. If I knew how to post a pic of it I would.
My father went home to heaven when I was 13 months and my mom joined him in heaven when I was 23. Payne Stewart passed almost a year after my mom did. It was sad. I’m glad the good Lord took care of his family and helped them move forward to do great things for there community.
I really liked Stewart. Great person, Great Golfer.
Thanks for posting the pics!!!!
He was pure class, all the way.
I wonder if Golf Channel has those old Golf Talk Live shows when Payne was on. They played a piece when he imitated Zinger’s swing from the bunker when he beat Payne at the Memorial. OMG it was too funny....
And then there’s Jake Trout and the Flounders. Talk about funny!!!
Those who play understand that golf is more than a 'game'. It is the individual against the course, the weather, and themselves. Payne represented the best the game offered and is still missed by those that followed his career. Rest in peace Mr. Stewart.
Ping.....
PING......
Thanks for posting this. It was such a horrible ordeal.
Prayers for the Stewart family and the families of the others who perished that day.
Payne was always one of my favorite players and nothing less than a class guy. He represented the sport of golf and his country well.........
I can’t believe it’s been 10 years already. I remember it clearly.
When I was little I hated that my dad forced me to watch golf. But as I got older, I grew to appreciate the game. Having 2 babies I don’t really get to play. And despite a few classes I never really played a lot. I’d love to get out on the course with hubby, but where is the time for that?
But I love watching the game. Hands down, Payne always was and always will be my favorite. I’ll never forget that win over Phil and what he said to him about being a father. It still brings tears to my eyes.
Such a horrible way to perish. I remember the day very well indeed. Was watching Fox News that day in fact.
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