by Jeff Skinner
And then there were none. With the passing of Errie Ball there is no player left from the field of the first Masters Tournament of 1934.
Ball was one of the select few that received personal invitations from Bobby Jones to play in the first Augusta National Invitation Tournament. The little tournament we have come to know as The Masters.
Ball was 103 years old and had been a PGA Professional for over 82 years.
We got to know Errie this spring when Rich Lerner of The Golf Channel profiled him and his wife of 77 years, Maxie prior to The Masters. What an adorable couple they made.
From PGA of America President, Ted Bishop: “The PGA of America is saddened by the passing of Errie Ball, a professional in all aspects of life. Errie’s amazing career spans the legends of the game – from Harry Vardon through Tiger Woods. His longevity, according to those who knew him best, was founded upon a love of people. Each day, like each step he took on the course, was spent with purpose. We will miss him dearly, but his legacy continues to shine through the many PGA Professionals he inspired to grow our game.”
And click here for Bob Denny’s wonderful piece from PGA.com.
Hearing of his passing I got that same twinge of sadness I get when I read of another World War II veteran passing. And yes, Errie served in the war for the U.S. even though he was born in Wales. But in Errie’s case the sadness is tempered by the fact that it looked like Errie lived one great life.
Here’s Lerner’s excellent profile.
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