I was reading the obituary column in the paper and I saw that Walter E. Keogh, Jr. passed away in Columbus, Indiana at the age of 94.
The man that always wrote the letter “K” on every golf ball he ever got in his possession.
Gene Keogh was my friend. And he was also the friend of every person who played golf at Reynolds Golf Course during the last 30 years.
He was there every single day. Rain, heat, sleet or snow he was there. I remember one cold winter day when we had a very rare snow storm in Reynolds. We lived on the 9th fairway and we couldn’t believe how white the course looked. The kids had built some homemade sleds to slide down the hill on the last hole.
I looked back and couldn’t believe it when I saw Gene walking down the fairway pulling his cart playing his usual round of golf. He was wearing a coat with a hood over his head and gloves on both hands.
Nothing stopped this man from playing golf.
Gene was a transplant from the north. Gene’s mother in law lived in Butler GA and he and his wife would come down from time to time to visit.
While his wife was visiting her mother, Gene visited the golf course. I never knew if he started playing golf because he loved golf or because he only needed a few minutes with his mother in law. But whatever the reason, he would spend his time at the golf course when they visited (1979 Photo L-R Wade Lane, Gene Keogh).
When Gene retired from US Steelabout 30 years ago, he and his wife moved to Reynolds so Carolyn could be near her mother.
And Gene could be near the golf course.
Gene Keogh, Wade Lane and my dad played hundreds of rounds of golf together. I was fortunate enough to join them for many of those rounds. And so did a lot of other people.
I remember Gene coming by the funeral home to pay his last respects when Wade died and later when my dad died. I saw a tear in his eye on both of those occasions.
He was older than both but outlived them both.
He kept playing golf after those two passed away but I have a feeling it wasn’t quite as fun for him after that.
Yep I had a lump in my throat this morning. And I have another one tonight as I type this. The people who have been so much a part of my life continue to drop one by one.
I can’t bring them back but I sure can take them with me.
And I will.
For the rest of my life.
3 comments:
Gene had some kinda golf swing. I do remember the bright, glowing "K" on his golf balls.
RU
Thanks so much for remembering my father. He really loved golf and the Reynolds Golf Course. It seemed as though he knew everyone who played there...and everyone knew him. He would play with anyone, regardless of age, color, or skill level.
He kept track of the membership dues for a number of years; also helped keep the golf carts running. I understand that some years ago he was given a free life membership to the club.
Dad continued playing golf into his 93rd year. One day last fall he and I were riding up the fairway of a long par 5 hole here at the local Columbus public course. He had dubbed several shots in a row, which just wasn't like him. I asked him if he was all right. He turned to me with the saddest look on his face and said simply, "I can't do this anymore." I think that was the beginning of a downhill slope for him.
Dad died peacefully in his sleep. Following his death, he was cremated. Sometime next spring the majority of his remains will be laid to rest alongside my mom in the Butler City Cemetery. However, a few have been reserved to be scattered somewhere on the Reynolds Golf Course.
Mike Keogh 11/13/2006
Mike, I remember your dad collecting membership dues and keeping the carts going at the golf course. I am pleased you will scatter a portion of his cremains at the golf course. Very appropriate. There is no doubt he would like that. Thanks for responding to the blog. The memories we have will keep him alive. Kindest regards, Bruce
Post a Comment