It pained me to see that photo of his last golf course tour, thin and gaunt. Pancreatic cancer ravages quickly and is probably the worst way to go, and in no means a fitting end to the life of a guy like Bob Cupp. He stayed at my house just over a year ago for the Jay Morrish memorial, and looked fit as a fiddle then. I hadn't heard until recently about his situation.
Can only add a few stories, some of which I have told before. Brad missed (but Whitten mentions) Bob's love of model railroading. That is why he stayed with us, so he could see my layout. I first learned of our shared interest when paired in Scotland at Troon. Train roars by, Bob turns to look a bit longer than most, and I ask "Train guy?" He nods. Funnier yet, our third was Denis Griffiths, who is also similarly afflicted. Probably the world's only three golf architect/model railroader combos, paired together.
Once at an ASGCA meeting, I got my rental car, plotted a path to the nearest train store, and walk in only to find Bob buying stuff already. In another meeting, he was hard at work on his laptop while speakers spoke. After break I change seats next to him, and he was going through his collection inventory. Too funny, but I understand.
Funnier yet, (well, to me) was watching the Barclay's one weekend years ago, when they say "Stay tuned, we will interview architect Bob Cupp after the next break." Just then, phone rings and its Bob, asking a model railroading g question. Here he is, minutes from going on national TV, and we are talking model railroading. I would be mentally preparing some design answers, myself!
Going back further, someone mentions the Marietta CC. We had a project going down the street at the same time and contractor said he just couldn't get the pump station we needed to grass. We toured Bob's project and he had his...the same model. We always felt his fame trumped ours and he got our pump station, although its hard to confirm.
Within ASGCA, he was easy going, but had some strong opinions. He was in favor of only business heads becoming members, or at least giving them a different distinction. (We never did that) When we voted down John Fought for membership, much to his dismay, because of questions about whether he really did the work. (typical of our suspicion of former golfers.....) I was President, and out of respect for Bob, re-directed it to being tabled, and reconsideration the application next year without re-applying. I later co-designed a course with John, and found it was 100% the right decision.
He became a good friend through ASGCA and we will all miss his easy going manner. Hard to believe he is gone.