PAYNE STEWART DEDICATION

 


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Biography

Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 180
Birthdate: January 30, 1957
Date of Death: October 25, 1999
Birthplace: Springfield, MO
Residence: Orlando, FL
Year Turned Professional: 1979
College: Southern Methodist University

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Golfer Payne Steward is Eulogized

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Everything that mattered to Payne Stewart was on a table beneath the pulpit where his wife, his closest friends and his pastors paid tribute during a gripping memorial service that capped a tragic week. On the far right was an oil painting of the Stewart clan, dressed in blue jeans and denim shirts, and a photo of them on a rafting trip. One picture was taken just nine days ago, Stewart and 10-year-old Aaron at the Father-Child tournament before the Disney Classic. "Payne was passionate about a lot of things, none stronger than his passion for being a good father," Tracey Stewart said Friday. "And he was a great father." At the far end of the table was a black Bible with Stewart's name written in gold, and the "WWJD" bracelet - What Would Jesus Do - that he wore during his U.S. Open victory. "We're going to remember a man who made the world a happier place," J.B. Collingsworth, his pastor, said. "Heaven is never going to be the same." In the middle was a gold chalice that stands only 17 inches high, dwarfed by the trophies Stewart won from the PGA Championship and the U.S. Open, but perhaps the most important prize to him of all. The Ryder Cup almost never leaves the PGA of America headquarters, but there could be no better showcase than the memorial service for Stewart, one of six people killed when his Learjet crashed Monday in South Dakota. "Payne Stewart was a vicious competitor. He only played to win," Paul Azinger said. With tears and laughter, Stewart was remembered for his passion for living at a church where he finally found his peace. The best tribute of all came from Azinger, who donned a tam o'shanter cap and rolled up his trousers to knickers-length, revealing a pair of argyle socks in honor of his close friend's trademark look. A party is what Tracey Stewart wanted for her 42-year-old husband, who was among six people killed on Monday when his Learjet flew uncontrolled across the country before crashing into a field in South Dakota. She remembered him as "the most beautiful looking man I'd ever seen" when they first fell in love, and as a father who was a line judge at 13-year-old Chelsea's volleyball match, who watched 10-year-old Aaron catch a touchdown pass two days before the fatal crash. She was a big part of his career, too. She noticed his head moving over his putts in the third round of the U.S. Open. The next day, taking that tip, he made three crucial putts on the final three holes to win the championship in spectacular fashion. "We shared laughter, tears, victories and defeats," she said in a eulogy that caused about 3,000 people at the First Baptist Church in Orlando to crumble, overcome by a week packed with tragedy and emotion. "You will always be my soulmate and my best friend," she said. "We love you. Let the party in heaven begin." More than 100 PGA Tour players and officials were at the service. They included Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, former PGA Tour commissioner Deane Beman, former Ryder Cup captains Ben Crenshaw, Tom Kite and Lanny Wadkins, and most of the field from the Tour Championship in Houston, such as Tiger Woods, David Duval and Davis Love III. When the service ended, they formed a line down both sides of the center aisle of the church - a protective wall for Mrs. Stewart to walk through. She held her head high and greeted them later at a private reception. There was laughter and tears during the two-hour service, which caused the PGA Tour to shut down tournaments in Texas and Mississippi so players could honor Stewart. About 100 players were at the service, along with their wives and some caddies. The tournaments will resume today. "I love the guy," Fred Couples said. "It's so easy to say now. Looking around at all the people, it was a beautiful ceremony. I feel our hearts were lifted." There was only one round of applause - when Azinger, his close friend, reconfigured his outfit to look like Stewart. "I figured it would take Payne Stewart to get me in a suit, but I never thought I would stoop to this," he joked. "I felt pressure this morning knowing he would be watching." A song that country singer Vince Gill wrote this week was played. Christian singer Michael W. Smith was a featured attraction, along with a video presentation that captured some of Stewart's 18 victories around the world and recent interviews about his priorities. "I'm going to a special place when I die," he said in the interview played on a big screen in the church. "But I want to be sure my life is special while I'm here."

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"When he died on Monday, a big part of us died, too," said Tom Lehman, who offered a prayer after the brief service.

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9 PGA Tour Victories

1995 Houston Open
1991 U.S. Open
1990 MCI Classic, Byron Nelson Classic
1989 MCI Classic, PGA Championship
1987 Bay Hill Classic
1983 Walt Disney World Classic
1982 Quad Cities Open

International Victories
1993 Hassan II Trophy (Morrocco)
1991 Heineken Dutch Open (Europe)
1990 World Cup (Indiv.)
1982 Coolangatta-Tweed Head Classic (Austrailia)
1981 Indonesian Open (Asia), Indian Open (Asia)

Ryder Cup experience
1987, 1989, 1991, 1993

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Bee Payne Stewart, mother of golfer Payne Stewart, arrives at the Second Baptist Church in Springfield, Mo., Monday, Nov. 1, 1999, for a memorial service for her son. Stewart was among five people killed Oct. 25 when his Learjet flew uncontrolled until running out of fuel and plowing into a field in South Dakota. (AP Photo/John S. Stewart)

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Career Highlights

Led the 1998 U.S. Open at The Olympic Club for the first three days before losing by one shot to Lee Janzen ... Started strongly in 1997 with near-misses in the Honda Classic and Bay Hill Invitational ... Ended 1997 with seven top-10 finishes but no victories ... Seven top-10 finishes in 1996 included a second, third and two fourths ... Finished third on Tour in the All-Around category ... Came from seven strokes back to force a playoff with Scott Hoch in the 1995 Houston Open, then won with a par on the first extra hole ... Owns victories in two majors (1989 PGA Championship and 1991 U.S. Open) ... Finished second on the money list in 1989 ... Missed 10 weeks in 1991 with a nerve problem in his neck ... Winner in the All-Around category of the 1988 Nabisco Statistics ... Was the 1989 Nabisco Statistics scoring leader ... Three-time winner of the Skins Game, 1991-1993 ... 1979 All-American ... 1979 Missouri Amateur Champion ... Currently owns his own clothing line, featuring his trademark plus-four "knickers."

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Friends said they were still in shock, 72 hours after the plane crash.

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Payne Stewart Links

Missiouri Sports Hall of Fame
ESPN's Payne Stewart Page
GolfWeb - PGA Tour Profile - Payne Stewart
Payne Stewart at the 1996 US Open
Stewart Goes For Win With Mother At Side
Payne Stewart's Golf Etiquette on DVD
Payne Takes A Lead
Get A Grip Golf Grips

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