Oldest Member Of PGA Of America Dies

Joseph "Bud" Lewis, the oldest and longest serving member of PGA of America, has died at the age of 103.  Lewis joined the PGA in May of 1931 and is the first to reach 80 year of membership.

Lewis was born on August 31, 1908 and grew up in west Philadelphia.  He was introduced to the game of golf at age 12 when he began to caddie at Llanerch Country Club in Havertown, Pennsylvania.  Lewis worked as assitant and head pro at 5 different golf clubs before becoming the head pro at the Manufacturers Golf & Country Club in 1943.  His tenure there lasted 37 years and he eventually became the club's pro emiritus, giving lessons there even after he was 90-years-of age.

While Lewis played at a level that would have allowed him to compete on the PGA Tour, he chose to pursue a career as a golf club professional.  Nevertheless, Lewis competed in 3 U.S. Opens and 6 PGA Championships.  In 1943 and 1948 Lewis won the Philadelphia section PGA Championship, as well as the 1942 and 1950 Philadelphia Opens.  In 1996 Lewis was inducted into the Philadelphia section PGA Hall of Fame.

When asked why he still gave lessons as his advanced age, Lewis said in a 1996 interview, "I have 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.  Whatever I make, I give to them."

in 1935, Lewis opened an indoor golf school in Philadelphia, where one of his students was William Hyndman III, the renowned amateur golfer.  In James W. Finegan's book, A Centenial Tribute To Golf In Philadelphia, the author writes that LPGA Hall of Fame member Patty Berg called Lewis "the best teacher in the game."

The Manufacturers Golf & Country Club honored Lewis by naming their refurbished grill room after him after it was damaged in a fire in 2002.  The club also hosted a celebration of his 100th birthday in 2008.

When he was asked about his secret to longevity shortly before his 100th birthday, Lewis replied, “You’ve got to be happy no matter what it takes, and you have to keep smiling no matter how much it hurts.”

Joseph "Bud" Lewis was preceded in death by his wife, Regina, and a daughter, Diana.  He is survived by his daughter, Jean, and sons Daniel and Joseph, as well as 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.