‘RIP…Gentle Giant’: Golf World Devasted as Fatal Complications Befall PGA Tour Icon Andy Bean

The golf world incurred a piece of tragic news as the legendary Andy Bean, has succumbed to death. He had undergone a long battle with COVID-19. The Gentle Giant had more to him than just his games. At 6-foot-4, he was a storyteller, an excellent golfer, and a source of inspiration to many.

The people he impacted have taken to X to share their condolences and stories about the Sweet Giant. Bean’s life had several exciting and memorable stories.

Andy Beans the Alligator Wrestler passes away at 70

Thomas Andrew Bean was born in March in Lafayette, Georgia. His family moved to Jekyll Island and later settled in Lakeland, Florida, when he was a teenager. Attending the University of Florida, Bean won the 1973 NCAA Championship alongside teammates Gary Koch, Woody Blackburn, and Phil Hancock for the Gators.

Bean turned professional in 1975 and during the same year, he entered the spotlight for wrestling with an alligator. In 1975, during a PGA Tour Qualifying event, he noticed an alligator by the waterway, and being a Florida man, he nudged his tail and the gator was on his way. However, when his playing partner, Californian Sandy Galbraith, narrated the story, it came out as if he had wrestled with the gator.

Andy had won 11 times on the PGA Tour between 1977-86. His victory came at the Doral-Eastern Open in Miami in 1977, where he explained the actual story about the alligator. Bean, sharing the unique moment, said, “I walked over to the gator, who was more scared of me than I was of him. I grabbed his tail, and he jumped back into the pond. That’s all there was to it, but the story got out that I’d been wrestling this gator and threw him into the pond.” 

Bean with his large stature had a soft heart. The legend always lent a helping hand to the new and old players alike. Bean, at the age of 50, moved on to the senior circuit and won 3 times. In 2008, Andy triumphed at the Charles Schwab Cup Championship. Despite his decade-long career, Andrew had not won a single Major Championship. Sharing his desire to win, Bean told the Lakeland Ledger, in 2015, “I would have still liked to have won a major.” Yet he had runner-up performances three times, including in 1983 The Open and 1980 and 1989 PGA Championship.

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However, in 2011 a tragic accident injured Bean’s right index finger and in 2014 he retired due to the same injury. On Saturday at 70, he took his last breath while recovering from the double-lung transplant he underwent after COVID-19 damaged his lung. The golf world stopped in its tracks for a moment as they paid their respects to the deceased legend.

“Made us laugh” The golf community shares their sincere condolences

The demise impacted numerous figures, especially the people he showed kindness to, and they were all reminiscing over the ‘Gentle Giant’s memories.

Commentator and former American golfer, Brandel Chamblee, shared his encounter with Bean on the very first he ever played. Andy, even after being the senior, was kind and sweet to break the ice and encourage the youngster with a small gesture.

Anchor Rich Lerner, also shared the considerate and charitable characteristics of Bean and etched an emotional note.

Steve Elkington, an Australian golfer, offered his condolences and complimented the legend.

One fan, after hearing the kind tales about Bean, shared that his nickname suits him the best.

Another golf community member penned his side for the giant and his storytelling and kindness.

The sweet giant has surely departed from this world, but those close to him will always cherish the memories and stories he inspired. Andy Bean lived a mesmerizing life with his wife Debbie and three daughters while being an exceptional golfer. We at EssentiallySports would like to offer our prayers and condolences to the family in this trying time.

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