He was known as Grandfather and will be dearly missed by his children and extended family. May he rest in peace.. Paul served as an assistant pro at several clubs before becoming the head professional at Ohios Zanesville Country Club in 1963. Thomas did not leave the tournament immediately and held on to his emotions to complete his rounds. Then, on the par-5 16th, Thomas hit a 5-wood from 228 yards that led to a birdie and even surprised him. It was there where Durant met several big-name players, including legendary Arnold Palmer and Sam Snead, to name a few. The TOUR was just getting organized. Moving on, Mike Thomas is popularly known for being the father of a professional golfer, Justin Thomas. since early 2020. Spieth struggled with his accuracy off the tee and his putting. He recalls when he and twin brother Ryan would take lessons from Thomas as children during family vacations at Peek n Peak Resort, where they would also get to play with the teacher. He birdied four of the final six holes, including three straight at 15, 16 and 17. Durant recalled a time when he was in college at Morehead State in the 1980s when Thomas asked him to caddy for him at a PGA Senior tournament in Lexington, Kentucky. In 1958, Paul returned to Cincinnati to work as an assistant pro at Western Hills Country Club. won the PGA Championship. I wonder if Paul Thomas dad played any golf or if he found golf for the family. Director of Professional Golf isnt a normal position at golf club, but Quail Hollow isn't a normal club. He would take over the head professional post at Zanesville Country Club, about 50 miles east of Columbus, in 1963 and would work there for 26 years. 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. Justin chose to play the final round of the Phoenix Open but his usual determination and desire may have been reserved. It wasnt even his tee shot on No. He will always be remembered and now I am following in his footsteps as a golf professional.. His impact as a swing coach, for casual members and big-time talents alike, was far-reaching. But he was not so sure as he watched the ballbefore it landed and somehow it bounced toward the hole, precariously close to the edge. Both were on-hand at Firestone Country Club in 2018 when Justin won the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. Durant said Thomas struck the ball as good as anybody in that event, but his putter wasnt up to his usual standard. Either way Mr Paul Thomas played a huge role in what is arguably becoming one of the greatest family dynasties in sports, obviously in golf. Peacefully passed away at home on Thursday, April 27, 2023 at the age of 76. Paul was one of the first to call Justin after he won last years PGA at Quail Hollow. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), who is recovering from multiple leg fractures that were suffered in a serious car crash in Los Angeles last month. Chicago passed on him at No. He was a good wedge player, but he wasnt as good as PT. When Paul Thomas passed away at 89-years-old in February 2021, Justin Thomas was at TPC Scottsdale, competing at the WebJustin Reed Walker (born 1982) is an His step-grandfather, Norton Cohen, President Trump nominated Walker to the seat being vacated by Judge Thomas B. Griffith, who retired on September 1, 2020. All rights reserved. Not so much. I'm not embarrassed to say that I reached out to talk to people to kind of let my feelings out and just discuss stuff with them. The Ongoing Battle At The Top: Rahm Vs. Rory Vs. Scottie. Pro golfer Justin Thomas chats with his grandfather Paul Thomas, left, at the Harmony Landing Campus, Big Spring Country Club prior to the Justin Thomas Junior Championship in 2019. 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. The putter was one of the strongest clubs in Pauls bag. 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? Paul Thomas was born in Ashland, Kentucky, but moved to Cincinnati as a child, and spent a long chunk of his career as the head professional at Zanesville Country Club in Ohio. Editor's Picks. He punctuates this sentence with a laugh, an acknowledgement that this scene a 10-year-old boy walking through dark woods on the way home from work is a remnant of a bygone era. After his grandfather passed away from Parkinson's, Louisville doctor tries to find a cure. As Justin Thomas attempted to make up a four-shot deficit on co-leaders Jordan Spieth and Xander Schauffele in the final round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, he did it with mixed emotions. Golf Channel reported during the early part of its Sunday broadcast that Thomas paternal grandfather, Paul Thomas, had died at 89. He played in the 1962 U.S. Open and for decades worked at a country club in Zanesville, Ohio. PGA Tour Considering Key (No-Cut) Changes For 2024, Bay Hill, The Players: PGA Tours Best Back-To-Back Weeks, Eight-Year Struggle Ends: Chris Kirk Takes Honda Classic In Playoff, Pierceson Coody One Shot Back At Honda Classic. SPORTS PAGE | What do you the paying customer think of NCAA transfer portal? Tom Edrington spent the first 10 years of his misguided youth as a sports writer for the Tampa Tribune. Justin Thomas grandfather left a lasting impression on this Dog Leg News leads the pack in whats happening with golf today seriously. Ana de Armas. I have done some great things in my career in golf. Thomas was caught by a boommike muttering an ugly slur after missing a putt earlier this year. PGA Tour posted a video slideshow, taking fans behind the scenes, and inside Justin Thomas trophy room. 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. Justin Thomas is one of the most popular golfers on the PGA Tour. 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 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. GOLF DIGEST MAY EARN A PORTION OF SALES FROM PRODUCTS THAT ARE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR SITE AS PART OF OUR AFFILIATE PARTNERSHIPS WITH RETAILERS. You could tell when he was 7, 8, 9, 10 years old, he had something. Jerry would knock it close, but PT would threaten the hole about every time.. Long before the golf world knew him as Justin Thomas grandfather, he was an icon at ZCC with 26 years in the pro shop from 1963-88. Neither of his parents played golf, but this son of an auto mechanic had heard that caddying could be a good source of extra income. He wont be thinking about that as much; not that he doesnt care about that as much. Nobodys voice would make me happier when I would hear it over the phone. Both followed Justins career regularly, and Justin purchased scooters for them to ride at PGA events to ease the burden of extensive walking long courses. The PGA Tour from its Twitter handle also reported the sad news, stating that Paul passed away on Saturday. 13 among final renovations to Valhalla ahead of 2024 PGA. Those numbers have long since faded. The victory was also an You could tell when he was 7, 8, 9, 10 years old, he had something. 18. Both his dad and his granddad were instrumental in shaping his career. That one is on the inside of his right upper arm. He competed in the 1960 and 61 PGA Championships but did not have luck playing on the PGA Tour. It was his television interview moments after his victory at The Players Championship was secured Sunday and he was asked about his grandfather, Paul May the Thomas beloved pioneer Rest In Peace. And one of the two biggest moments of his career, along with that PGA Championship, came during a time where he had to overcome one huge misstep and two very difficult moments in his personal life, enough so that Thomas admitted Sunday to seeking outside help. But I mean, that's the kind of stuff that happens when you win tournaments. Its the signature of his late grandfather, Paul Thomas, the first in a generation of golf professionals. And Justin followed his father to the chipping green, a constant site of competition between three generations of Thomas men. The memory hasnt. After about five or six holes he looks at me and says Mikey, I need your input. Getting the signature was the tricky part, so he called his grandmother. 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. Competitors cant be choosers. 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. When I saw my dad walking up 18 was the first time since I teed off on 1 when I really thought about him.. Paul Thomas was there at the Firestone Country Club in 2018 when JT won the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. Paul didnt have his own golf clubs, so he played his first rounds with the rental sets available at Avon Fields. 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. The putter was one of the strongest clubs in Pauls bag. Justin Thomas, in full,Justin Louis Thomas, (born April 29, 1993, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.), American golfer who, in 2017, won his first "major" at the 99th PGA 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. He was all about us trying to make our games better, Adam said on Wednesday from Hilton Head. The field is all but set for the first major of the year as all eyes turn to Augusta for the next two weeks. DIVE DEEPER He was 31 years old, and already had been a professional for 13 years. Paul Thomas, who was a longtime head golf professional, would have been proud at how his grandson overcame a start in which he was outside the cutline after the first 27 holes and recovered to card a 64-68 on the weekend on the way to a 14-under 274 for the tournament, one shot better than ageless wonder Lee Westwood. For 25 to 28 years, Mike was part of a club in Ohio. This service is provided on talkSPORT Ltd's Terms of Use in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Green, whose seven wins included one major, the 1989 du Maurier, lists Paul as the biggest influence on her career. Start here! PT stayed out of the way of Mike serving as Justins instructor as he developed into a PGA Tour star, but he did offer his own wisdom from time to time. Paul Thomas, who died early Sunday at 89, was the head professional at Zanesville (Ohio) Country Club from 1963-88. Paul Thomas, who died last Sunday, was the head professional there from 1963-88. Wish you were still here to tell me how many putts I missed on days like yesterday! It wasnt an entirely lost day, Thomas making this impressive putt for eagle on the 17th hole. With Westwood carding a bogie on the par-3 17th, Thomas just had to keep his tee shot dry on No. Heaven got a good one yesterday. The Korn Ferry trademark is also a registered trademark, and is used in the Korn Ferry Tour logo with permission. As the nation prepares for the major ceremony the UKs first coronation since the late Queen Elizabeth IIs in 1953 many people are interested in learning more about the new monarchs wife and her family tree. I wish I could talk to him, but I know hes watching.. Durant, who took over at ZCC in 1992, said he often uses Thomas teachings in his own job. Still, he found himself encouraged with his weeks work, and disappointed with his Sunday disappointments. Paul was declared ineligible because his membership to his new PGA section hadnt yet transferred. You were always hustling and thats a word he would always use. Mike was influenced by his fathers devotion to that aspect of the game, and he enjoyed practicing shots that he could see go in the hole. Justin Thomas' emotional win at WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. Paul and Phyllis Thomas had never been on-hand for one of their grandsons nine PGA TOUR victories. All that was left was his approach shot and then the walk to the 18th green. 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It was 4 miles from his house to Avon Fields Golf Course in Cincinnati, Ohio. Jan 30th 1906.March1913,Sept.1914.May 23rd 1916 at Thomas A Edison Incorporated Orange NJ US Justin Kernersville, NC. Nobodys voice would make me happier when I would hear it over the phone. Justin Thomas returns to Goshen golf course during off week from PGA tour. Thomas later moved back to Cincinnati where he got down to teaching the game to others. WebIsaiah Foskey spent his Draft night visiting one of his best friends grandfather who was placed on life support. Paul Thomas turned pro as a teenager, but not for the same reasons his grandson made a similar move at age 20. Its been well documented that golf runs in the Thomas family. At the university, he won the Crimson tide six times. He remembers winning the caddie championship a few years later in the pouring rain. I remember telling him a long time ago that, as well as he drives the ball, dont spend your time hitting those irons. 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. Thomas teaching talent was rivaled only by his playing acumen, Durant said. Paul Thomas was there at the Firestone Country Club in 2018 when JT won the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. I would say the most help I ever gave him was playing with him and talking to him, he said. Tiger Woods is recovering from another back surgery but hes out and about. A post shared by Justin Thomas (@justinthomas34). He played in the 1962 U.S. Open and for decades worked at a country club in Zanesville, Ohio. Thomas died early Sunday at 89 as Justin was preparing for his final round at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. It was there hecoached the likes ofLPGA championsTammie Green of Somersetand Michele Redmanof Zanesville, along withfive-time Zanesville District Golf Association Amateur champion and former Muskingum University All-American Adam Lescalleet. The one thing I tried to instill in him was confidence, telling him he could be a good player. When Tiger Woods was a vice captain for the 2017 U.S. Presidents Cup team, he was an intimating presence - but not like you'd think. The members were supportive of their head pros son, allowing him full use of the course and practice facility. Editor's Note: This article was originally published in August of 2018 after Justin Thomas' win at Firestone Country Club. Loving father of Jason (Holly), Crystal (Delano) and Brown (Natalie) and late Ashley. That one is on the inside of his right upper arm. He remembers winning the caddie championship a few years later in the pouring rain. Paul Thomas begat Mike Thomas who begat Justin Thomas, the winner of the 2017 FedExCup and the defending champion at this weeks PGA Championship. Many of his misses were from inside 10 feet. Trump's visit comes as he faces a number of legal troubles back home. The PGA Tour confirmed Paul Thomass death on Twitter on Sunday afternoon, and Justin shared the following message Monday morning after finishing T-13 in Phoenix. Thomas grandfather, Paul, died at the age of 89 last month. If you hustle people will respond, and it creates a fun environment. One was Mike Durant, who worked under Thomas as a young professional and later returned to serve in the same role. 2023 Steve Stricker, who will soon turned 54, was trying to become the oldest player ever to win a PGA Tour event. 5 in the world with the win, remembered his late grandfather, Paul, who was alive when he won his first PGA. He would finish the round shooting a one-over 72 to come in T-13, six back of Koepka. And that passion is what stands out, Durant said of Thomas. MORE: Justin Thomas has some valid concerns about fans betting on golf. Copyright 2023 PGA TOUR, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. When Paul Thomas passed away at 89-years-old in February 2021, Justin Thomas was at TPC After his short major-stint, Paul Thomas spent most of his life teaching at the Zanesville Country Club in Ohio. She said, Should I even bother asking? I told her no.. Before Justin Thomas won golfs richest prize, Paul would regale him with tales from professional golfs hardscrabble days. He will be dearly missed. However, he was unable to find success and break into the pro-tour. and He never left the game, training his son, Mike, who in turn coached his son, Justin. Justin Thomas walks to the second green during the third round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open. He was either going to beat me up or be really happy after that. Lescalleet, now an assistant pro at Long Cove Club in Hilton Head, South Carolina, is still enjoying a strong playing career. It was nothing like it is today. Few have been as consistent and solid as Thomas the last five years. Neither of his parents played golf, but this son of an auto mechanic had heard that caddying could be a good source of extra income. Justin Thomas fought back tears in an emotional interview after winning the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass on Sunday. After graduating St. Xavier High School, Thomas went to play golf for the University of Alabama where he would undoubtedly play the college's course called Ol' Colony Golf Complex which is a par-72 municipal course in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The only thing I knew is that I just absolutely smoked it. Thomas went pro in 2012 at age 20 and has already garnered You get lucky breaks like that. Youve been hitting every iron shot about five or six feet from the hole. You have permission to edit this article. JT will do the same. Thomas trailed Palmer by just a stroke entering the final round, but shot a 77 to Palmers 67. I didnt mind the walk over in the morning, but the walk home in the dark was spooky, Paul Thomas said. I think about him every day, Thomas said. He stood up there like a man and just staked it, Paul said. Follow Sean Martin on Twitter. Sunday was a different story at TPC Scottsdale for Jordy. Golf Channel, All Rights Reserved. When he would hit a practice shot, or hit a shot when I was caddying for him, there was nothing else in the world. Thomas was born in Ashland, Ky., and spent many years as the head pro at Zanesville Country Club in Ohio. A Louisville native, Thomas has grown up playing on the AJGA, making the ongoing tournament very special to the golfer. So, I like to compare it to how I was in 2014 a number of times in the final group and just kind of the putts didnt go in on Sunday, and you got to relearn what tendencies you have and then just keep on getting there, keep on getting in position. His grandfather, unfortunately, passed away earlier this year in February. On Saturday night, Justin got the sad news that Paul, age 89, had passed away. His father Mike Thomas is a a second-generation Club Professional and has been a PGA Professional for Thomas and son Mike, Justins father and coach,and a PGA club professional in Louisville, Kentucky, are members of the Zanesville District Golf Association Hall of Fame. He left school and declared himself a golf professional at the age of 17 and bounced around several clubs. Green, whose seven wins included one major, the 1989 du Maurier, lists Paul as the biggest influence on her career. 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 And after struggling to meet his fathers high standards, Mike also wanted to ensure his son had fun on the course. Many of his later years were spent giving lessons in suburban Columbus, where he and Phyllis resided after leaving Zanesville.