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Seizure Claims Life Of
Legendary Golfer Calvin Peete Dies
Popular Tampa Man
Calvin Peete, who won 12 PGA events during a long career as a professional golfer, has died at age 71. The cause of death was not released.
Peete was famous for his ability to hit long and accurate drives, and for many years, he was the most successful black golfer in the world.
Peete died Wednesday morning in Atlanta. His death was confirmed to NPR by the PGA Tour.
During his 25-year career, Peete won more than $3 mil- lion in tournament purses. He didn’t take up the game of golf until he was 23, and he suc- ceeded despite not being able to extend his left elbow fully — the result of a childhood acci- dent.
In 1982, Peete matched Craig Stadler and Tom Watson with four wins on the PGA Tour that year.
One of the most accurate ball-strikers of his era, Peete led the PGA Tour in driving accuracy for 10 consecutive years from 1981-90. He won the Vardon Trophy in 1984, awarded annually to the Tour’s overall scoring leader, and compiled a 4-2-1 individ- ual record in two Ryder Cup appearances, 1983 and 1985.
Peete is survived by his wife, Pepper, and seven chil- dren.
First Tee Community Re- source Coordinator, Lionel Ballard said Calvin Peete is a true inspiration.
If you frequented Big Boys Barbershop or were an avid fisherman, you knew Shaun Hamilton.
On Sunday, the 42-year- old father of three suffered a seizure at his home, and was pronounced dead later by emergency personnel.
According to his wife of 15 years, Stephanie, Hamil- ton was a native of Syracuse, New York, and came to Florida 21 years ago.
“He never had any health problems, and was a delivery driver up until September of 2014 when he started suffer- ing with seizures. When he was hospitalized, all the doc- tors could tell us was that it was hereditary.
“Everyone who knew Shaun knew he loved fish- ing. He’d go out with a boat load of friends and on charter boats out of Clearwater. He frequented that area so much, they had his picture posted.”
Mrs. Hamilton said everyone liked Shaun and his love for fishing started when he was just 4-years-old.
“The two of us have a pair of sons, and he has a 22-year- old daughter.
“While in Syracuse, Shaun joined the National Guard after high school. After
CALVIN PEETE
“For all the young African American golfers coming up, they need look no further than Calvin Peete for how it’s supposed to be done. I wish I had gotten the opportunity to play with him during his many visits to Rogers Park.”
Former Rogers Park Golf Pro, Dr. Michael Cooper said Peete’s death is a tremendous loss.
“He was a great man and a great champion. He should be at least nominated for induc- tion into the Golfers Hall of Fame, having been at the top for a decade.
“There was none better on the planet. I never got a chance to play with him, but I spent a lot of time around him. He’d drive down from Jacksonville to be a part of whatever was going on at Rogers Park”
Kennie Sims, Vice-Chair of Golfing Operations for the Tampa Sports Authority, said Peete was a great pioneer for African American golf.
“Statistically, he’s the straightest hitter to ever play on the tour. He really loved Rogers Park and was last there in 2013 for the Advocates Pro-
LIONEL BALLARD
KENNIE SIMS
DR. MICHAEL COOPER
JOE LOUIS BARROW, JR.
SHAUN HAMILTON
18 months, he got an honor- able discharge and got a job. When he started having the seizures, he was upset he couldn’t work anymore, but that didn’t stop him from fishing. He had gone fishing the night before he passed.”
Mrs. Hamilton de- scribes Shaun as a great husband and great father. He also has three sisters and two brothers who still live in New York State.
All of Hamilton’s friends and associates from big boys Barbershop said they’re really going to miss him and end their condo- lences to the family.
Aiken’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements at this time.
fessional Golf Tour. “Personally, he was one of
my idols as a teenager. I al- ways looked up to him. There haven’t been a lot of African Americans on the PGA tour and he was truly exceptional. The way he has connected to junior golf in Jacksonville lets you know he will be missed by a lot of people.”
Joe Louis Barrow, Jr.,
Chief Executive Officer of the First Tee, said personally he thinks Calvin Peete was ex- tremely supportive of the First Tee of North Florida, and his wife served as the chapter ex- ecutive director for many years.
“Calvin told me that if the First Tee was around when he was growing up, he would have achieved much more success. I will miss Calvin and am deeply thankful for his in- volvement and commitment to the First Tee for many years.
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