Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture Discussion Group => Topic started by: Joel_Stewart on June 22, 2017, 11:53:13 PM
-
Sandy Tatum passed away this morning at age 96.
His life is historic, his contribution to golf immeasurable.
I can't begin to say what an impact he had on me. He probably was the smartest person I have ever met yet his wit and self depreacting style always kept things fun often hilarious. His stories are legendary.
Rest in peace Sandy. You won at life.
http://www.sfgate.com/sports/golf/article/Sandy-Tatum-distinguished-golf-ambassador-dies-11240981.php
Ran allowed me to do back to back interviews with him several years ago. They are posted below.
http://golfclubatlas.com/feature-interview/interviewtatum1/
http://golfclubatlas.com/feature-interview/interviewtatum2/
-
Sandy was known for this quote at Winged Foot in 1974: "We're not trying to embarrass the best players. We're trying to identify them."
He should be known for so much besides. RIP.
-
He was the driving force behind the restoration/renovation of Harding Park.
http://www.geoffshackelford.com/homepage/2017/6/22/rip-sandy-tatum.html
-
From reading the attached links, it's clear that Mr. Tatum was a gentleman committed to the game of golf at it's highest level. It sounds like he was a terrific person in all ways. My condolences to his friends and family on his passing.
-
He was. My late Dad had very fond memories of playing two piano music with Sandy at Oxford during his time at Balliol as a Rhodes Scholar: Sandy won a golf blue for Oxford in 1948 and 1949 and also won the Boyd Quaich at St Andrews in 1949, the closest thing then to any kind of British NCAA/Universities' championship (the latter only began in 1957).
Sincere condolences to all.
-
On one incredible day, purely by chance, I met Sandy Tatum and Ken Venturi at a driving range in Foster City, CA.
It was a month after the passing of Ken's wife.
I was hitting balls and putting during lunch as my office was across the street.
Both gentlemen were warm and engaging and it left a lasting impression on me.
-
A great ambassador for golf and N. California, too.
Some links...
Golf Digest
Sandy Tatum was an influential voice in the world of course architecture
By Ron Whitten
http://www.golfdigest.com/story/sandy-tatum-was-an-influential-voice-in-the-world-of-course-architecture (http://www.golfdigest.com/story/sandy-tatum-was-an-influential-voice-in-the-world-of-course-architecture)
Golf Digest
What golf will miss the most about Sandy Tatum
By Jaime Diaz
http://www.golfdigest.com/story/jaime-diazwhat-golf-will-miss-the-most-about-sandy-tatum (http://www.golfdigest.com/story/jaime-diazwhat-golf-will-miss-the-most-about-sandy-tatum)
Golf Digest
The story behind Sandy Tatum’s enduring line
http://www.golfdigest.com/story/the-story-behind-sandy-tatums-enduring-line (http://www.golfdigest.com/story/the-story-behind-sandy-tatums-enduring-line)
Golf
Remembering Sandy Tatum, a golf ambassador with an unadulterated love of the game
By Michael Bamberger
http://www.golf.com/tour-news/2017/06/23/remembering-sandy-tatum-golf-ambassador-who-deeply-loved-game (http://www.golf.com/tour-news/2017/06/23/remembering-sandy-tatum-golf-ambassador-who-deeply-loved-game)
Golfweek
Some special memories of the late USGA president Sandy Tatum
By Geoff Shackelford
http://golfweek.com/2017/06/23/former-usga-president-sandy-tatum-dies/ (http://golfweek.com/2017/06/23/former-usga-president-sandy-tatum-dies/)
Golf Channel
Jimmy Roberts remembers Tatum: A golf purist
http://www.golfchannel.com/video/jimmy-roberts-remembers-sandy-tatum/ (http://www.golfchannel.com/video/jimmy-roberts-remembers-sandy-tatum/)
Golf Channel
USGA Davis on Tatum: Epitomized what's great about golf
http://www.golfchannel.com/video/usgas-mike-davis-remembers-sandy-tatum/ (http://www.golfchannel.com/video/usgas-mike-davis-remembers-sandy-tatum/)
USGA
A Life Devoted to Golf: Remembering Sandy Tatum
http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/articles/2017/06/former-usga-president-frank--sandy--tatum-dies.html (http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/articles/2017/06/former-usga-president-frank--sandy--tatum-dies.html)
-
What a good and long and productive life. Lovely.
Reading about him, including Joel's two interviews here, made me wish he had been a ratings panel of one.
He had such wide ranging tastes and a very fine eye /insights. It's too bad GD or Golf or Golfweek didn't produce a Sandy Tatum's Top 100 Classic edition.
Peter
-
His book is an interesting read and reflects his special appreciation of and contribution to the game. Worth your time.
-
Joel,
Thanks for the info, sorry to hear the news.
Mr Tatum would always show interest in what I and the crew were doing during the green restoration work at SFGC several years back. He always approached me and asked how things were going, a genuine interest in San Francisco Golf Club a place I know he really enjoyed playing.
Always walking and never in a cart, that's how I will always remember him.
-
I met Sandy Tatum at SFGC about fifteen years ago. My host at the club knew him quite well and we had lunch together. His encyclopedic knowledge of courses and golf history captivated me. He had a quiet dignity. He was a pleasure to be around for that very short hour. Golf lost a good friend.
-
He was a very special man to golf overall.
He will be greatly missed.
Joel, thanks for the interview that you did with him. I know that was a special thing for you!
-
That feature interview is really special Joel. Thanks for bringing to our attention. Sandy seems a giant of the game.