Tyrrell Garth, Jr.---Devoted Golfer, Businessman, Friend 1925-1984
The tournament is played in honor of C. Tyrrell Garth Jr., one of the state's most accomplished amateur golfers, and the pride of Beaumont. In addition to winning Beaumont Country Club championships at age 14 and age 54, Garth was also the youngest player ever to qualify for the U.S. Open when he competed at Colonial Country Club
in 1941 as a 15-year-old. He was a devoted amateur golfer, civic leader, businessman and friend. He loved the game of golf and was a tremendous inspiration to those who followed his game locally and throughout the nation. Tyrrell began playing golf at an early age with his father C.T. Garth, Sr., who was one of Beaumont's outstanding amateur golfers. At age 11, Tyrrell broke 80 for the first time shooting a 77 at the Beaumont Country Club. At age 12 he was featured in Sports Illustrated magazine as a golfing prodigy---regularly scoring between 76 and 82. At age 14 he won his first Beaumont Country Club Championship becoming the youngest Club Champ on record and 40 years later he won the Club Championship again. Which was his 5th Beaumont Country Club Championship. While in his teens, he was low amateur in the Texas State PGA twice and played in the US Open at age 15. His talents enabled him to play with many famous golfers and celebrities, and as a result he built a number of lasting friendships. In 1941 he received a wristwatch from Bing Crosby and Bob Hope for being medalist in the Lakeside Invitational. Tyrrell served his country in the Army Air Force and attended Rice Institute where he became a college star. Tyrrell won amateur tournaments in Texas, Colorado, Michigan, California and won the Beaumont Country Club Invitational numerous times. Tyrrell's golf career and reputation spanned from New York to California and from Texas to Michigan. Throughout his business career, Tyrrell was involved in a number of successful business and charitable endeavors in the Beaumont area and served as a director on numerous boards, including the Beaumont Country Club and also as president thereof. Above all, Tyrrell will probably always be best remembered for his exceptional talents and achievements as a golfer. His love for the game and his involvement here at Beaumont Country Club will continue to live on as an inspiration to us all.
