A day ago, many of those connected to Pinehurst remembered Payne Stewart, winner of the 99th U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, on the 13th anniversary of his tragic death. It was a beautiful Carolina Autumn day, with temperatures rising near 80 as the bright blue sky above housed a generous sun and a light breeze. Tables on the Resort Club’s veranda were full at lunchtime.
First Tee, Pinehurst No. 2
The next morning, though, a billowing fog draped Pinehurst’s hallowed grounds, as if to doff the cap again to Stewart in memoriam. It was only three days after Stewart’s passing on Oct. 28, 1999, that the PGA Tour and several Tour players gathered before the 1999 Tour Championship at Champions Golf Course in Houston as a heavy fog surrounded them and bagpiper Steve Agan for a memorial service to honor Stewart’s life.
Tony Bullard/AFP/Getty Images
Walking through the early morning fog on the first tee Oct. 28, 1999, bagpiper Steve Agan begins the memorial service for Payne Stewart before the PGA Tour Championship at Champions Golf Course in Houston.
Today, to see the fog lightly brush the pinetops and sprinkle the rolling sandhills with dew could only tug on Stewart’s memory in Pinehurst a little harder.
Yes, we miss you, Payne. We always will.
More photos from this morning, Oct. 26, 2012, at Pinehurst:
Pinehurst Resort Club
Pinehurst No. 4
Pinehurst No. 4
Fourth Tee, Pinehurst No. 2
The 18th Green at Pinehurst No. 2
- 18th Hole, Pinehurst No. 2
Payne Stewart (January 30, 1957 – October 25, 1999)
I am in a group of 12 that will be returning next week to play Pinehurst for the week…for some it will be their 3rd year in a row all of us are excited to get back to this amazing place of golf! Can’t wait….8 more sleeps!