07/23/2016
THIS IS A SPECIAL WEEKEND; PLEASE READ
Champagne Tony Lema Died 50 Years Ago
It’s hard to believe that it’s been half a century since we witnessed the exuberant personality of “Champagne Tony” or relished the syrupy golf swing that helped him become one of the best golfers in the world in the early 1960’s. On Sunday, July 24, 1966, Tony Lema finished his final round in the PGA Championship at Firestone Country Club in Akron, OH and was traveling to a Chicago-area golf tournament. Shortly before nightfall, the chartered twin-engine Beechcraft Bonanza lost power as both engines cut out briefly near the Lansing Airport located close to the Illinois-Indiana border and eventually crashed near the seventh green of the Lansing Sportsman’s Club golf course. Tony and his wife Betty perished along with the pilot Doris Mullen and co-pilot Dr. George Bard.
Although Tony nearly captured Rookie-of-the-Year honors on the PGA Tour in 1958, he struggled for five grueling years before a major breakout in the fall of 1962. Celebrating his first victory on the Tour at the Orange County Open in southern California, the handsome, former Marine from San Leandro, CA with a “playboy” reputation became know as “Champagne Tony” when he uncorked bottles of the bubbly for the press. He proved that was no fluke as he finished second in his first appearance in the 1963 Masters, one-shot behind a young Jack Nicklaus.
Over the next three and a half seasons, Tony won 11 more PGA Tour events, including his biggest victory, the 1964 British Open held at the home of golf, St. Andrews in Scotland. His Open Championship was the highlight of a six-week stretch when he captured four tournaments. Since his first win in California, Tony made it a habit to live up to his reputation and serve champagne to the press contingency while celebrating his victories. With the help of his popular business manager, Fred Corcoran, Tony eventually became affiliated with Moet et Chandon, a most popular French vintage.
Tony was a young 32-year-old golfer when the tragedy ended his life. He was one of the most popular players on the PGA Tour and a serious challenger to “The Big Three” at the time – Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Gary Player. We will never know how many more tournament trophies would have the name Tony Lema inscribed upon them nor do we know if a longer career would have gained him a spot in the PGA Golf Hall of Fame. But we do know, and many have distant memories, that Champagne Tony Lema made a lasting impact not only on the world of golf but as one of the most colorful professionals in any sport.
Recently, it was announced at Jack Nicklaus’ Memorial Tournament in Dublin, OH that Tony Lema will be an Honoree in 2017. He will be honored along with Greg Norman, Ken Venturi, and long-time amateur golfer, Harvie Ward.
