“Rest in Peace”: Phil Mickelson and Golf World Mourn Over the Death of 100-Year-Old Golf Legend, Jack Burke Jr.

The game of golf was truly in the veins of Jack Burke Jr. After serving most of his century-long life playing and instructing some of the greatest golfers, Burke has bid this world goodbye and crossed onto the next. The sad news of his demise came only ten days before his 101st birthday, leaving the golf world with a heavy heart.

He started playing golf at the age of 4, and even after formally taking a leave from its competitive side, his contributions to its growth never really stopped. The news of his demise was confirmed by the CEO and president of the Houston Golf Association, Steve Timms, after his conversation with his wife of 37 years, Robin Burke.

Remembering Jack Burke Jr. and his countless contributions to the game of golf

The departed was the longest-living winner of both the Masters and the P.G.A. championships in 1956. The famous golf star had golf in his DNA as his father, Jack Burke Sr., was also a two-time PGA Tour winner. Burke Jr. made history by winning two of the golf majors in a single year, among his many other accolades. But, out of his own choice, he passed away without ever getting a grand slam in his record books.

However, he did help Jack Nicklaus, a grand slam winner, achieve this wondrous feat by instructing him on multiple occasions and thus highlighting his unmatchable hold over the game. Nicklaus once said, “I can’t tell you how many times we were playing golf and he’d say, ‘Jack, how are you going to play from that position?’”

However, it was not just Nicklaus who had Burke Jr. to thank for helping advance his game. The founder of Champions Golf Club in Houston also helped golfers like Phil Mickelson, Hal Sutton, Steve Elkington, and even Arnold Palmer, among others, achieve immeasurable heights in their legendary careers for a long time.

The legend surely lived up to his memorable words, “Live your life so that when you die, you fill-up the church.” His passing filled the world with some of the biggest names grieving.

In his heavy-hearted remembrance of his long-time instructor who helped him with his putting stroke, Phil Mickelson wrote, “His lessons will stay with me and the thousands of other golfers he has helped.”

Even after being born in an era of hard travel and soft purses, Jack Burke Jr.’s love for the game of golf never died. Aside from his 16 PGA Tour wins and 21 runner-up finishes, the pro with a century of practice playing the game also received a wide range of well-deserved honors in his life.

From being inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2000 to winning the PGA of America’s Distinguished Service Award in 2007, Burke Jr.’s love and contribution to the game can never be forgotten. So how did the golf world pay homage to this legend?

How did the rest of the golf world react to the loss of this gem?

As the news of his departure came to light, the golf world united to bid him the goodbye that he deserved. With an aching heart, many famous personalities bid adieu to this former Masters and PGA champion.

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Here are some of the homages presented to him:

The Golf Hall of Fame expressed their sad state and remembered the many contributions made by their long-time member.

The Harris County Houston Sports Authority also quickly bid farewell to their Hall of Famer and extended their condolences to his grieving family.

The PGA Tour Radio, Sirius XM 92, paid tribute to the legend. They also informed the world that Gary Williams joined Dennis Paulson and Jason Sobel on Inside the Ropes to bid the legend with a family history in golf a much-deserved goodbye.

Golf Channel’s famous broadcaster, Whit Whitson took it to television to pay tribute to the two-time major champion.

KHOU-TV Sportscaster, Matt Musil shared a sweet heart-warming message from his time at the dearly departed’s 100th birthday celebration. He told the world, that his wife, Robin Burke told him, “He loved life. He loved golf & people.”

The famous Golf Library also turned back pages filled with sweet memories of the legend’s great wisdom and sharp wit and conveyed their thoughts on his sad demise.

The news of Burke Jr.’s demise also found place on the PGA of America’s X account. They expressed their “deeply” saddened state in bidding the legend goodbye with a heart full of grief.

All in all, the sad loss of Jack Burke Jr. will always serve as one of the greatest losses to the game of golf. But the many sweet memories he gave the world serve as a reminder of his contribution and love for the game and its players. The legacy that Burke Jr. has left continues to live.

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