Paul Thomas, who died last Sunday, was the head professional at Zanesville Country Club from 1963-88. Thomas, the Jupiter resident, got so emotional he had a difficult time trying to say how much his grandfather meant to him and how he wished he could talk to him. He is a bit of a legend imo. While Paul could not attend every event Thomas was playing, he would always cheer him on through television and massively embraced JTs 2017 PGA Championship win. Justin Thomas inks dedication to his late grandfather [3] He stood up there like a man and just staked it, Paul said. Having developed an avid interest in sports at an early age, Then they go your way sometimes.. It was then that Thomas spotted his father, Mike, which made him think about his grandfather. Paul Thomas turned pro as a teenager, but not for the same reasons his grandson made a similar move at age 20. The field is all but set for the first major of the year as all eyes turn to Augusta for the next two weeks. Thomas remained a stalwart in his PGA section, twice winning the Central Ohio PGA Championship. Hes told me the same stories a million times, but I never tell him to stop, Justin said. Were all pulling for him and Im so glad to hear everythings been going well for him. Tiger Woods is recovering from another back surgery but hes out and about. Thomas He won that years Southern Ohio PGA Championship to qualify for the PGA Championship. Justin Thomas was among a strong cast of pursuers Sunday at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, where he was playing with a heavy heart after the death of his Paul, who was born in Ashland, Kentucky, but moved to Cincinnati as a child, was a lifelong club professional and spent a long chunk of his career as the head professional at Zanesville Country Club in Ohio. WebHe was active in his childrens lives and coached Little League baseball. Paul and Phyllis Thomas had never been on-hand for one of their grandsons nine PGA TOUR victories. I know it sure didnt pay much in those days. Paul was a lifelong club pro, but also an accomplished player who competed in the same events as Palmer, Nicklaus and Hogan. I remember telling him a long time ago that, as well as he drives the ball, dont spend your time hitting those irons. Getting the signature was the tricky part, so he called his grandmother. Since winning the PGA Championship four summers ago, Thomas has spent every week among the top 10 in the world. Broeck famously played and caddied in the same PGA Tour event. PONTE VEDRA BEACH The most difficult part of the day for Justin Thomas was not chasing and catching Lee Westwood and Bryson DeChambeau. Thomas died early Sunday at 89 as Justin was preparing for his final round at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Mike Thomas was a good amateur and an all-Ohio Valley Conference honoree at Morehead State before following his father into the club pro ranks. Louisville women's basketball schedules 4-year series with UConn He tried to play on the PGA Tour in the mid-1950s but didnt have much success so he moved back to Cincinnati to work as a club professional. The putter was one of the strongest clubs in Pauls bag. Two of his early assistant-pro jobs took him to York, Pennsylvania, and Tequesta, Florida, where he worked for Ohio native and established PGA TOUR winner Dow Finsterwald at Tequesta Golf Club. 12. (AP Photo/John Bazemore), Justin Thomas hits from the rough on the 16th hole during the final round of the World Golf Championship-FedEx St. Jude Invitational Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey), Justin Thomas hits from the second tee during the first round of the Tour Championship golf tournament Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019, in Atlanta. It was his television interview moments after his victory at The Players Championship was secured Sunday and he was asked about his grandfather, Paul Id tell him, The only guy who can screw this up is you. I think we know now that hes done all right.. Hearing about his grandfathers brushes with the games greats stoked Justins passion for the game. There would be other PGA Championship chances earned, however. I know it sure didnt pay much in those days.. Golf Digests Dave Shedloski spoke with Paul, who went by the nickname PT, after Justins PGA Championship victory in 2017, offering recollections of his grandson from his junior days. The PGA Tour from its The TOUR was just getting organized. When asked how much a part Paul played in his Players Championship win, an emotional Thomas said: Yeah, a lot. After his victory, Thomas recalled how his grandfather, who passed away last month aged 89, was at the forefront of his mind as he sealed the win READ: Two golfers Zoller died in Dec. 2020. These were the humble beginnings of a golfing genealogy that produced one of todays top players. Prior to his induction, in an interview with longtime TR sports editor Sherry Dinan, Thomas offered up a glimpse of the future in a story published on Oct. 5, 2001. Struggles on the tour led him to a career as a club pro, where he balanced an impressive playing career with his role as pro at ZCC. Jordan Spieth Showed Nerves But Remains Encouraged: Jordan Spieth looked incredible when he shot a 10-under par 61 on Saturday that featured a career-high 10 birdies. 13 among final renovations to Valhalla ahead of 2024 PGA. IMDb Not all professional golf wins are equal. "I said, `This is weird, but can you have grandpa sign something?'" His impact as a swing coach, for casual members and big-time talents alike, was far-reaching. He was so into that and that passion just sort of spilled over. Editor's Picks. He was so well-liked and respected by his fellow PGA members and well-known amateur players.. News Corp is a network of leading companies in the worlds of diversified media, news, education, and information services. He would finish the round shooting a one-over 72 to come in T-13, six back of Koepka. There would be other PGA Championship chances earned, however. summed it up best when he said: Heaven got a good one.. 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His dad is his only teacher, and thats the way it should be.. Then he did. Both his dad and his granddad were instrumental in shaping his career. JT will do the same. He later made the cut in the 1982, 1983 and 1987 U.S. Senior Opens,was twice named Central Ohio PGA Player of the Year and won the Central Ohio PGA Championship and COPGA Seniors twice each. Justin Thomas hits from the fifth tee during the final round of the Tour Championship golf tournament Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. Justin has had a strong start to the 2020-21 season on the golf course logging top-5 finishes at the Zozo Championship, Masters and Sentry Tournament of Champions but has largely made headlines for an anti-gay slur he used after a missed putt at the Tournament of Champions. Sunday was a different story at TPC Scottsdale for Jordy. In 1980 he was honored by the Golf Writers Association of America for writing the best news story that year, his coverage of Jack Nicklaus' U.S. Open victory at Baltusrol. If you hustle people will respond, and it creates a fun environment. He competed in the 1960 and 61 PGA Championships but did not have luck playing on the PGA Tour. (H/t Gunnar Rask) With Westwood carding a bogie on the par-3 17th, Thomas just had to keep his tee shot dry on No. But the mood turned somber when Golf Channel interviewer Steve Sands asked Thomas about his late grandfather. He was a lifelong club pro, having turned pro young to make money. Its the signature of his late grandfather, Paul Thomas, the first in a generation of golf professionals. He later became a club professional and instructor, teaching, among other, LPGA Tour winners Michele Redman and Tammie Green. He added a new one at the start of the year that is equally meaningful though rarely seen. They follow closely from their home in Columbus, Ohio, though. 10 to be Justin Fields' left tackle, but Skoronski didn't need to wait long after that to be drafted, going No. Green, whose seven wins included one major, the 1989 du Maurier, lists Paul as the biggest influence on her career. Justin Thomas Makes History At Players Championship After an incredibly emotional two months for Justin Thomas following the loss of his grandfather, the American claimed victory at The Players Championship. He was 31 years old, and already had been a professional for 13 years. Arjun Athreya is a senior writer at Essentially Sports and has been contributing I talked to people, Thomas said. It was 4 miles from his house to Avon Fields Golf Course in Cincinnati, Ohio. Mike, too, enjoyed a lengthy tenure at one club, Harmony Landing Country Club outside of Louisville, and Justin reaped the benefits. Hes shot his age every year since turning 64. He also made three cuts at the U.S. Senior Open. Two of his early assistant-pro jobs took him to York, Pennsylvania, and Tequesta, Florida, where he worked for Ohio native and established PGA TOUR winner Dow Finsterwald at Tequesta Golf Club. He took a crack at the TOUR as a 25-year-old in 1957, back when professional golf was still gaining traction and players caravanned across the country to play for pittance. Thomas said his mojo changed on Friday when he birdied the 16th and 18th holes, one of just 10 birdies on 18 the entire tournament. Justin was a phenom whod prepared his entire life for the pro ranks. Paul was declared ineligible because his membership to his new PGA section hadnt yet transferred. Mike Thomas took after his father, becoming a Class A professional with the PGA Of America. After about five or six holes he looks at me and says Mikey, I need your input. Thomas teaching talent was rivaled only by his playing acumen, Durant said. The head space I was in this week was a huge step for me., Enough for Thomas to believe this was probably one of the best rounds of my life, tee to green.. Justin Thomas played final round Sunday while mourning By signing up, you agree to the P. Paul Burrichter Obituary 2023 - The Donohue Funeral Homes Inc. His dog, a golden retriever named Duke, was a gift from friends. Youd enter one tournament from the last one. Paul served as an assistant pro at several clubs before becoming the head professional at Ohios Zanesville Country Club in 1963. After his short major-stint, Paul Thomas spent most of his life teaching at the, While Paul Thomas couldnt succeed in his quest of becoming a PGA Tour professional, he watched his grandson, Heaven got a good one yesterday. Justins father, Mike, is a PGA professional and Mikes father, Paul, worked in the same industry. Paul played at Firestone CC in 1960 and Olympia Fields in 61, and he also competed in the 1962 U.S. Open at Oakmont. 18. Justin Thomas was among a strong cast of pursuers Sunday at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, where he was playing with a heavy heart after the death of his grandfather Saturday. Paul didnt have his own golf clubs, so he played his first rounds with the rental sets available at Avon Fields. The Korn Ferry trademark is also a registered trademark, and is used in the Korn Ferry Tour logo with permission. He played in the 1962 U.S. Open and for decades worked at a country club in Zanesville, Ohio. Justin He was a good wedge player, but he wasnt as good as PT. His legacy will live on through his family and friends. Paul was declared ineligible because his membership to his new PGA section hadnt yet transferred. Time For The Dogs To Take A Long-Awaited Vacation, Arnold Palmers The Man Who Taught Us How To Be Cool, Television Bust: LIV Ratings Were Abysmal At Best, LIV Golf On Television? His grandfather, Paul, is also a PGA pro in Zanesville, Ohio. Golf Channel reported during the early part of its Sunday broadcast that Thomas paternal grandfather, Paul Thomas, had died at 89. Sep 23, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Team USA golfer Justin Thomas hits his tee shot on the fourth hole during the four-ball match play of the Presidents Cup golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club. August 29, 2021. On Saturday night, Justin got the sad news that Paul, age 89, had passed away. But Thomas has said he will learn from his mistake and be a better person. By then, there was nothing but good thoughts because Justin Thomas head is in a good place again. Justin Thomas returns to Goshen golf course during off week from PGA tour. Paul was an old-school instructor I dont believe in theory because no two people are the same, he said whose students included two future LPGA Tour winners, Tammie Green and Michele Redman, and Mike Thomas, the second-oldest of his four sons. Justin Thomas got his dog in 2016. From left, Mike Durant, Mike Thomas and Paul Thomas prior to playing a round at Zanesville Country Club. Paul served as an assistant pro at several clubs before becoming the head professional at Ohios Zanesville Country Club in 1963. May the Thomas beloved pioneer Rest In Peace. His dad Mike Thomas is a head professional at a golf club, and his late maternal grandfather Paul Thomas competed at major championships in the 60s. Green, whose seven wins included one major, the 1989 du Maurier, lists Paul as the biggest influence on her career. THE MATERIAL ON THIS SITE MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED, DISTRIBUTED, TRANSMITTED, CACHED OR OTHERWISE USED, EXCEPT WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF DISCOVERY GOLF, INC. 2023 DISCOVERY GOLF, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, Justin Thomas plays final round of Waste Management Phoenix Open after learning of his grandfather's death. Despite not gaining an entry into the PGA Tour, Paul Thomas played at the 1960 and 1961 PGA Championships and the 1962 U.S. Open as well. Thomas said. The victory was also an Follow Sean Martin on Twitter. And as much as the lid was open other days, it was closed today.. Thomas played those four holes in five under, including an eagle on the par 5 11th that gave him a lead he would never relinquish. JT was born in Louisville, Kentucky, to an avid golf-loving family. Thomas started the day at TPC Scottsdale at 14 under in a tie for fifth. Wish you were still here to tell me how many putts I missed on days like yesterday! Justin had a hole-in-one when he was only 6 and he has already won three under-12 tournaments.. I told her no.". Meet Titans 1st-rounder Peter Skoronski: Northwestern OL prides