October 25th---9th Anniversary of Payne's tragic accident

[PEZGolf]

It cannot be NINE years already. But, sadly, it has been. This year's Ryder Cup victory by Captain Azinger's ardent crew was fun to watch, and his talk about Payne and having Payne's son, Aaron, ride with him in his cart on Saturday, brought back memories of Captain Ben's team at the Country Club in 1999, and Payne's role there. He woke up everyone on the team each morning by playing The Boss' "Born in the USA" as loud as he could. When I asked the 'Zinger last year at the Skins Game in Albany, NY, who would have the spirit that Payne represented on his team, he looked at me, smiled, and said, "I have that spirit". He sure did.

What memories do you have of Payne now that we approach the 9th anniversary of his tragic accident?

[play4him]

It's hard to believe that it's been that long. I really miss him and his passion for the game. He was a true professional all the way. Here is my favorite memory that I shared in another post.

Speaking of Payne Stewart, he is one of my most treasured drawings that I got autographed. He also hit one of the most amazing shots I ever saw.

On No.8 at Augusta National, he had hit his drive way right during a Tuesday practice round. He walked up to the ball with his driver still in hand. He turned around looking for his caddy, who was way back toward the tee box with another caddy. I guess he got tired of waiting, so he proceeded to hit one of the most amazing shots I've ever seen.
In those days, they didn't grow the rough like it is now, so the rough was lower than alot of normal golf course fairways. He looks at his predicament which includes nothing but trees between him and the green. The fairway is at least twenty yards to the left, and he has a big headed driver he's going to try to hit back toward the fairway and "slice" around the trees. As I said, the lie is in the rough but when he sits the driver behind the ball, the ball is well below the top of his driver. I'm thinking there's no way he's going to hit this very high, and on top of that cut it around the trees. He gets up there and takes his ultra smooth swing that he's remembered for, and hit a nice high "slice" around the trees and up the fairway. Off of that lie and the angle that he had to hit it, I was amazed how he pulled it off. But that was Payne.

[PEZGolf]

It's hard to believe that it's been that long. I really miss him and his passion for the game. He was a true professional all the way. Here is my favorite memory that I shared in another post.

THANKS for repeating your post. Payne was a true shot maker, in the tradition of Slammin' Sammy Snead, Lee Trevino, Bobby Jones, and Walter Hagen. He could hit all kinds of shots---draws, fades, slices, hooks, high or low---ABSOLUTELY AMAZING, and have FUN doing it. In fact, Mike Hicks, his long time caddy, said that Payne would sometimes stand there, trying to figure out how he would "work the ball". "Why not hit it straight at the flag?" Mike would say. "THAT is too easy," was Payne's standard response.

[MO_Hacker]

Payne was one of my favorites also. I don't remember any particular shots but he was always easy to recognize, it was fun to see which NFL team colors he would be sporting.

If you haven't read it already pick up Payne Stewart The Authorized Biography , by Tracey Stewart. It's a interesting book written by the person who knew him best.

[Smallville]

It was a sad day. I remember hearing them describing it on the radio at work, how they were prepared to shoot the plane down if it looked like it was going to crash in a place where others would have gotten hurt or killed. It's funny, you didn't even know the guy but it felt like you did. Golf lost a true great that day.

[grassbutcher]

It cannot be NINE years already. But, sadly, it has been. This year's Ryder Cup victory by Captain Azinger's ardent crew was fun to watch, and his talk about Payne and having Payne's son, Aaron, ride with him in his cart on Saturday, brought back memories of Captain Ben's team at the Country Club in 1999, and Payne's role there. He woke up everyone on the team each morning by playing The Boss' "Born in the USA" as loud as he could. When I asked the 'Zinger last year at the Skins Game in Albany, NY, who would have the spirit that Payne represented on his team, he looked at me, smiled, and said, "I have that spirit". He sure did.

I have 2 lasting memories of Payne..

The first is the Sunday of the '99 Ryder Cup - when he dropped that insanely long putt on Monty - and right after it dropped in they cut to Payne and he was stomping his feet and pumping his fist...I think it was to even up the match and Payne was super charged up - just thinking about now gives me the chills. Wish I could find a video of it online somewhere And the second was at the Western Open at Cog Hill - had to be early/mid 90's. He hit the most beautiful draw around the dogleg on the 16th hole. I can still picture it. RIP Payne

[PEZGolf]

I have 2 lasting memories of Payne..

Thanks for your post. At the beginning of the telecast of the Friday matches of this year's Ryder Cup, they showed highlights from the 1999 Victory, and sure enough, there was Payne, as you described, pumping up his fist and all fired up. Many people forget the way that match ended. Monty had been given a lot of verbal abuse during the match, which was always very close. Payne went over to some of the fans, and told them to cut it out. On the last green, Monty had a long putt, and Payne conceded it to him, as an act of good sportsmanship, since the US had already won the Cup. Monty thanked him and slapped him on his shoulder. Afterward, Monty told the reporters that it was a great act by Payne after the way the crowd had gotten on Monty's case earlier in the match.

That was Payne----------tough, and intense competitor, BUT------- a good sport. That is one of the reasons the PGA Tour decided to give out a Payne Stewart Award each year to someone who represented the BEST ideals of golf, including respect for tradition and good sportsmanship. This year's winner was Davis Love III, a very good choice.

[hawkeye]

Best memory is being the sign-boy in Payne's group for the first 2 days of the 1998 European Open at the K-Club. He played pretty badly, stumbling to double figures (I had to take out the "+" sign on the scoreboard when 9 over became 10 over!) but he and his caddy were pefect gentlemen, chatting away to all the people involved in our group, players, caddys, tv people, policemen - he was happy to be there.

The year after he passed away, my father brought me to Waterville in Co. Kerry where he used to come each year, and he was a hero in the town. Photo's of him having pints with the locals, playing music till all hours in bars, and of course the bronze statue of him on the course - was a magical experience.

I'll never forget his old-school fashion sense on the course (i will be getting an outfit or two of his myself soon!) and of course, when he gave out to some of the American crowd for heckling Monty at a Ryder Cup or two. What a gentleman.

Also, Zinger rolling up his trouser at Paynes funeral was very touching, as was the bagpipes at the Tour Championship in 1999.

[PEZGolf]

Best memory is being the sign-boy in Payne's group for the first 2 days of the 1998 European Open at the K-Club. He played pretty badly, stumbling to double figures (I had to take out the "+" sign on the scoreboard when 9 over became 10 over!) but he and his caddy were pefect gentlemen, chatting away to all the people involved in our group, players, caddys, tv people, policemen - he was happy to be there.

Good memories. You are right---Waterville was a special place for Payne and he was honored by the residents before he died. I believe he was given the key to the Village and maybe named an "honorary Mayor". He fit right in when he went to Ireland or Scotland. The other part of 'Zinger's eulogy that I remember was the story about Payne trying to run an inboard boat motor in his garage, and was told by 'Zinger that it needed to be in water, or it could overheat. Payne had no clue, but they both laughed about it. Many good memories about a guy who was both a golf Champion and "regular guy". My son and I have some personal memories from following him at the Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head in the 1989 Tour Championship and the 1992 Heritage. Tomorrow, I may share some with you.

[PEZGolf]

Here are 3 short statements about our memories of Payne from the 1989 Tour Championship, at the Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head:

1. My son, who was 8 years old then, and I followed Payne all four days at the 1989 Tour Championship. We first met him on Thursday, first thing in the morning. We went to the parking lot where there were signs with the names of the 30 golfers who had qualified. We were standing by Payne's sign, and my son was dressed in plus-4's with a tam o'shanter cap, like Payne wore on the course. We were holding a hand-made sign that said, "Payne's Pals from Ilion, NY". A lady saw us, and asked, "Do you know Payne?" "No," we replied but we would like to meet him." "Stay right here, because he is in a courtesy car with a driver and will be right back."
Sure enough, we saw a car approach, driving fairly fast. Payne was in the driver's seat! He rolled down the window, and saw the sign that was now upside down! "Payne, this is John Pezdek. John, this is Payne Stewart," I said (I did not know what else to do, but introduce them. "Nice to meet you, " he said and got out of the car. "You are missing school," he said to my son and pointed his finger at him, since this was a Thursday morning in mid-October. "Yes, but I have permission from school,"John said. "He does have permission, " I chimed in. "You have permission?" he said to John, and ignored me. "Yes, he does have approval," I answered. "OK, then it is all right, " he replied. "Will you autograph the sign for John?" I asked. "Absolutely, " he said, and did it.
"Son, Payne has to leave and get ready for work," I told John. Payne was dressed in neon green gym shorts, and a tee shirt, with a golf cap on.

When we saw him later at the putting green, he was dressed in the colors of the Oakland Raiders, since he had the NFL contract at that time.

2. On Friday, Payne was playing with Hal Sutton (he was with Curtis Strange on Thursday because those two had finished first and second on the money list). On the first tee, we were holding the sign. Hal Sutton's caddy nudged Mike Hicks, Payne's caddy, and said, "Look at those guys----some fans of yours, huh?" Hicksie replied, "Yeah, we know them", since we had met Mike the day before, and took his picture. Payne would say, "Hi, buddy" to John during the course of the round. Later on, we were politely told by an official that signs were NOT allowed, so we had to fold it up before it was confiscated. We still have that sign, and it is a treasured possession.

3. After Payne lost the Sudden Victory Playoff to Tom Kite on the first playoff hole (Tom had two putted the 17th green for par and Payne three-putted after sending his birdie attempt past the hole). John and I were at the door leading into the press building with Payne, while Tom Kite was being interviewed inside. "You played well, and although you did not win, it was fun following you," John and I said to him. He looked at John, reached into his back pocket, and said, "Here, buddy, this is for you," and he gave John his Titleist golf glove. Naturally, we still have that as well.

Payne had many young fans, and our experience showed that he truly appreciated their support.

[Scott_Tee]

I remember him for those 'Knickers' he would wear. Also, he seemed to have a good outlook on life. 'Twas a tragic event, and what a way to go, flying off into the next life.

[PEZGolf]

One of the legacies of Payne is that so many people liked him that there are lasting testimonies to what kind of person and golfer he was:

1. The Payne Stewart Award: given each year by the PGA Tour, it is given to someone who not only is a good player, but represents the "best traditions" of the game, including charitable giving. When Payne was alive, he did a number of special donations: when he won Arnie's Bay Hill tournament in 1987, he gave the entire check to Arnie for the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Women and Children. Arnie said, "You do not have to do that." Payne's response was typical--"You are right. I do NOT have to do this, but I want to, in memory of my Dad, Bill." When he played in the Skins Game, and won it three years in a row, he had a young man suffering from cancer as a special guest----Joel Broering. After the match, he did not forget and kept calling him at his home, right up to the day he passed away.

This year's winner of the Payne Stewart Award was given this year to Davis Love III. Past winners include Arnie, Jack and Byron Nelson (1990---the first year), Gary Player, Ben Crenshaw, Tom Watson, Brad Faxon, and Hal Sutton. Each of them said he was thrilled to be honored not for playing golf, but helping people. What a great ongoing way to remember Payne.

2. There is a municipal golf course in Springfield, Missouri, that is named for Payne and his Dad, because that was THEIR home town. What a great way to remember them--- a public golf course, where young people can learn the game and grow up with it, like Payne's Dad taught him.