Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, September 24, 1994 TAG: 9411040014
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: GLENDALE, CALIF. LENGTH: Medium
Barber's son, Tom, said his father entered Verdugo Hills Hospital on Monday complaining of flu-like symptoms and it was discovered that he had a bad valve in the left side of his heart. He had a massive stroke later that night, precluding surgery to repair the faulty valve.
Barber, who played on the tour fulltime from 1948 to 1962, was a member of the U.S. Ryder Cup teams in 1955 and 1961, serving as captain in 1961.
He also was named the PGA's Player of the Year in 1961.
Victories in the Azalea Open served as book ends for his career on the regular tour. His first win came in that tournament in 1953 and his last was in 1963.
Barber, a native of Woodson, Ill., joined the Senior Tour in 1980 and played a limited schedule this season, the last time a few weeks ago.
``When you figure he went on the tour in 1948 and he came off two weeks ago, that's a hell of a roll,'' said Tom Barber.
Jerry wanted to keep playing his game for as long as he could.
``The older you get, the easier it is to shoot your age,'' Barber said at a tournament a few years ago, adding that he had no thoughts about giving up his game.
``It beats working,'' he said.
Barber played a number of events on the regular tour in 1991 after he lost his exemption for the Senior (over 50) Tour. He was still eligible for the regular tour because his PGA championship carried with it a lifetime exemption from having to qualify for tournaments.
Tom said his father also had the distinction of making the first hole-in-one in a PGA tournament that was captured on film, at the Buick Open in Flint, Mich., in 1961.
Jerry also served as the pro at Griffith Park Municipal Course in Los Angeles for 28 years, where he and Tom were listed as co-head pros.
``Since he got sick on Monday, we've had calls from Gary Player, Sam Snead, others,'' Tom said. ``Those guys were really good friends.''
Barber is survived by two sons, Tom and Roger; three daughters, Nancy, Sandra and Sally; eight brothers and sisters; 10 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Keywords:
GOLF
by CNB