No, she had no connection to Winged Foot...I was writing it between when she died and when she was buried and it helped me focus during that tough time. It turned into a somewhat medicinal thing for me, so I dedicated the piece to her.
The family is glad I dedicated it to her too...just a small way of remembering all the positive things she did for us and it was a thrill for them to see it up on Golf Observer.
We all miss her terribly. She was young and vibrant and kept us all together. She was humble and kind, yet had a rapier wit and was fiercely loyal to the family. My cousin Patti said it best "I may be bossy, but Maryanne was the boss!"
I wanted to at least shine a little positive light during an otherwise dark time. Instead of merely mourning her loss, we now celebrate her memory. It helps a little. We're trying to keep the same outlook during the holidays. Doing positive things in someone's memory is much more uplifting to the survivors than just rattling around the house missing someone and it helps get through the first holidays without a loved one.
She has two terrfic kids, Eddie Jr. and Annemarie and a fantastic husband Eddie. They may never have played Winged Foot or been to a PGA tournament, bu they are truly the salt of the Earth...hearts of oak.