Tom MacWood has passed away

[Joel Zuckerman]

I am also sorry to hear of his untimely passing, and like many of the previous posters, I have never met the man.

Did he ever participate in any GCA.com outings? Did he play much golf? Where did he live, and what was his primary occupation? 

I find it intriguing that a man who had such an outsized influence on this site in terms of his posting, essays, and general depth of knowledge, is at least to me, something of a mystery.

Can anyone shed light in regards to these basic facts?

I also want to offer my condolences to his family, obviously he is gone much too soon.

[David Kelly]

With the passing of Tom MacWood the knowledge base of GCA has taken a big hit as he knew more about the history of golf course architecture than 99% of those of us who post here.

My condolences to his family and friends.

[Steve Wilson]

Like most I never met the man and like many I presumed him older.  There's really nothing constructive to say...just, damn!  Way too young.

[RJ_Daley]

Here is the local newspaper's obituary.  I'll keep looking for more info, and hope someone who may know Tom personally from the Columbus area might add to what we have about Tom's personal life.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dispatch/obituary.aspx?n=thomas-e-macwood&pid=159177449&fhid=8709#fbLoggedOut  

A we all assume, Tom must have a significant body of research work likely in writing and other media.  Hopefully, such a long if not lifetime of passionate accumulation of research will be placed in a setting to be preserved and carried on.  

Only knowing Tom from his contributions here, I think it is fair to say he was likely meticulous in his catalogue of materials.  Wouldn't be great if somewhere in the future after the family has been able to process and recover from their shocking loss, if some of our other most scholarly GCA contributors might put their minds together and approach the family to see if there is any interest in honoring Tom with some form of a searchable data base, or a location of a library at some golf club in Columbus area, where his work can go on.  I wonder if Dr. Hurdzan can be asked about this potential idea.

[Ronald Montesano]

A few years back, I experienced for the first time the announcement and subsequent mourning of a friend online, in a social network. Words were carefully and carelessly tossed around as each person attempted to put into language the shared and unshared feelings of experiences with the deceased, of what he might have done had he been given more time and ultimately, of the immeasurable loss that, like a wave, appears to increase in force and coverage, no matter if it truly does. On and on the posts, pictures and links went, until an deeply-profound portrait of 40 years in the life of a man was painted.

When I saw Ran's announcement yesterday morning, my initial reaction was identical to that of many: complete disbelief, that a Titan could perish, without anticipation. Just as shocked as I was to learn a few years back that JNC is just a kid, so was I to discover that Tom was less than a decade older than I. My next step was to search my 902 messages, hoping to find one or more from Tom; it was not to be. Didn't take a class with Maya Angelou at Wake, didn't exchange messages with Tom...major regrets.

And now, after reading nearly four pages of reactions from my friends (met and unmet) from GCA, I realize that, as some of you have commented, this place does matter. It matters a lot. It matters because we meet each other at golf courses far and near, not having a clue what the other looks like OR really acts like. It matters because we argue and debate and sometimes insult online, but ultimately we remember that we are kindred spirits, mates across time and space, bonded by this game and its playgrounds.

I'm going to the garage right now, to grab a beer and toast Tom MacWood. Then, I'll look for an address to send a card of condolence to Tom's family. And then, I'll come back to this community until my wife yells that I'm ignoring her again, to learn more about golf course architecture.

Hey, George Pazin, how about we restart that thread on who we are? Seems like the right way to meet each other again and to remember great contributors like Tom?

[George Pazin]

Here is the local newspaper's obituary.  I'll keep looking for more info, and hope someone who may know Tom personally from the Columbus area might add to what we have about Tom's personal life.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dispatch/obituary.aspx?n=thomas-e-macwood&pid=159177449&fhid=8709#fbLoggedOut  

Thanks very much for the link.

Here is a link to his obituary that includes a tribute wall, should you care to share with his loved ones:

http://www.schoedinger.com/obituaries/Thomas-Macwood/

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Ron, if you mean the "Who are you guys?" threads, I will amend this post with a link when I find it. If you are asking me to restart the "Get to know" series, I will message you my thoughts on that.

[Gary Daughters]

This is a good time to remind ourselves that, whatever our differences, we share a common and unusual passion.  My condolences to Tom's family and my heartfelt best wishes and thanks to all who take part in this journey.  Gary

[Matthew Sander]

What sad news...my thoughts are with his family and friends at this time. Selfishly, I feel the need to thank Ran and GCA for creating such a wonderful place where we all have the opportunity to learn from folks like Tom MacWood.

Take care everyone...

[mark chalfant]

I am so sorry to hear about the premature passing of this dedicated student of GCA.

[M. Shea Sweeney]

Learned a ton from Tom's contributions. Enjoyed his posts very much.

Mike Sweeney

[Eric Smith]

Sad news indeed. My condolences to his family and friends.

[John Mayhugh]

I feel punched in the stomach upon learning of the death of a man I never met.  I take that and your posts as an affirmation that this website and its participants matter - more than we care to admit.  

Grace and Peace to Tom's family and friends.  

This sums it up rather well. 

I'll really miss the research and opinions that he shared. 

[Tim_Cronin]

This is the saddest possible news. Condolences and prayers to Tom's family and wide circle of friends.

[Richard Choi]

Wow... a terrible tragedy. He has enlightened many here, including me. He will be missed.

[Dick Kirkpatrick]

My heartfelt condolences to the MacWood family. It is they who have lost the most. RIP Tom MacWood

[David Stamm]

May their family find peace.

Réquiem ætérnam dona ei Dómine; et lux perpétua lúceat ei. Requiéscat in pace. Amen.

[Ronald Montesano]

If you haven't read the obit, do so. There is a link to make a donation in Tom's name to the American Heart Association. I did so and used the address of the church and Tom's wife's name, for the card. No flowers.

[Mac Plumart]

Thanks, Ron.

For ease of finding, http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dispatch/obituary.aspx?n=thomas-e-macwood&pid=159177449&fhid=8709#fbLoggedOut

[John Keenan]

Sad news his was taken far too young

My thoughts and prayers are with his family

[Matt MacIver]

I will miss a dedicated researcher and educator, who's passion shown through in his writing.  Fun to read, and contemplate.   Agree?  Sometimes. But Tom had way more fact than opinion so his tie went to the runner. Tom will be missed, I hope his family knows how much his work was valued by our small community here.

[Wayne_Kozun]

Tom will be greatly missed, his depth of knowledge was unbelievable.  I hope he gets in a round at Fowlpointe on the other side.

[Sam Morrow]

Would like to give my condolences to the family and know they are in my prayers.

[Pete Lavallee]

I'm astounded to learn that Tom's research driven articles were accomplished in his spare time; like others I assumed he was retired and had unlimted time to devote to his passion. It's very sad to have lost such a great contributor at such a young age. My deepest condolences go out to his family.

[noonan]

Sad news - RIP Tom

[Daryl "Turboe" Boe]

Wow, I have been (and still am) out of town and just learned of this (playing some golf which I am sure Tom would approve of).  So sad to hear as a long term person here at GCA, so very sad to see him go.  As with many on here I didnt know him well, but benefited from his knowledge on here just the same.

My condolences and prayers go out to his family.  RIP, and thanks for enriching our lives Tom...