Former SMU golfer Payne Stewart died in a plane accident October 25. He was 42.
A 1979 graduate of SMU with a degree in business administration, Stewart was awarded the 1998 SMU Distinguished Alumni Award, presented annually by the SMU Alumni Association. Stewart was a 20-year veteran of professional golf and was third on the career money list with nearly $12 million. While attending SMU, he was the Southwestern Conference Champion in golf and was named a collegiate All-America selection.
"Payne Stewart was a cherished member of the SMU alumni family, not only because of his achievements as a golfer, but also because of the good example he set for today's young people in sportsmanship and citizenship," SMU President R. Gerald Turner said. "Just last year we celebrated with Payne Stewart as he won the SMU 1998 Distinguished Alumni Award and served as grand marshal of the Homecoming parade. Today as a community we mourn his loss. He will forever occupy a special place in SMU history, and in our hearts."
"I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Payne Stewart earlier today in a plane accident," said SMU Director of Athletics Jim Copeland. "I had the pleasure of getting to know Payne. He was one of the most colorful and delightful people I've met. In addition to being one of the most accomplished professional golfers of his era, Payne Stewart was a wonderful ambassador for SMU. This is a huge loss to the SMU community, as well as to me personally."
After graduating from SMU, Stewart played the Asian Tour for two years, where he met his wife, Australian-born Tracey Ferguson. Since joining the Professional Golf Association tour in 1981, he earned 18 golf titles around the world. He won the 1991 and 1999 U.S. Open and the 1989 PGA Championship. He has also represented the United States on five Ryder Cup Teams, including the team that won the Cup last month.
Stewart was four years old when his father, William Louis Stewart, introduced him to golf. Besides passing along his love of the sport, Bill Stewart taught his son everything he knew about the game. Having won the Missouri Amateur Championship twice and the Missouri Seniors once, the elder Stewart wanted badly for Payne to know the feeling of winning and to go on to become a great player. Bill Stewart died of bone cancer in 1985, before his son's success became evident. Two years later, Payne Stewart paid tribute to the memory of his father and to the years of coaching, friendship and inspiration he gave his son, by donating the $108,000 prize money he earned in the 1987 Bay Hill Classic to the Florida Hospital in his father's name. The home provides a place to stay for the families of cancer and terminally ill patients.
Stewart was widely recognized by sports enthusiasts for his colorful attire. Following his father's advice that clothing makes an impression on people, Stewart revived traditional golfing attire by wearing his trademark plus fours (knickers), argyle socks and matching cap. In 1995, he established the Payne Stewart Collection, a collection of casual tailored wear including pinpoint cotton shirts, neckwear, sport coats, and slacks along with classic golf attire.
He is survived by his wife, Tracey, and his children, Chelsea (13) and Aaron (10).
