The second visit with Harvey of Bill and Elsie Reichardt

I post this in hopes that a member of the Penick family will see it.

My parents, Bill and Elsie Reichardt, wintered in Texas from Chicago for many years while their health permitted.  Both were lovers of the game of golf, and on a whim one day, it might have been 1992 or 93, they drove to Austin, went to the country club, and Dad went in to the pro shop to ask if perhaps Harvey might be there.  He was immediately introduced to Tinsley, who asked what the reason might be.

Dad just said he had read the Little Red Book, had grown to admire Harvey, and wanted to shake his hand.

Tinsley mentioned that his Dad was pretty much home bound, but would love to meet my parents!  He called home with instructions to “get Dad ready to meet the Reichardts from Chicago”, and drew a map for my dad to get there.  (Pre GPS days)  Mom and Dad were taken aback, to say the least, and said they didn’t want to disturb him, and to just give him their regards and they’d go on their way.  Tinsley insisted they go over to Harvey’s place and visit – that his dad missed meeting people, and would welcome their visit.  He practically begged them to go.

Well, since he put it that way, they did as Tinsley asked, went to the Penick residence, were warmly welcomed.  My folks and Harvey talked and laughed and got to know each other for three hours!  They had the greatest time visiting with the Penicks, and believed the sincerity of the invitation to come back the following year, which they did, and spent another several enjoyable hours with that gracious, wise man.

The Saga of the Harvey Penick Visit remains a treasured memory for me, my siblings, and our children.  You can imagine the personal connection we had watching Ben Crenshaw win at Augusta for the second time.  I still choke up when I see footage of that immortal event.

We owe these treasured memories to Tinsley Penick, and his loving care of his father.  No doubt he primarily acted for the happiness of his father, and I want you to know

What a wonderful man and a great friend.  I was just talking about him to my students the other day.  I will never forget him.  

Tinsley was always so kind to my family. He was a great help in finding an appropriate home for my father's library of golf books.
I will always remember his smile. It was sweet and a little mischievous. 

I am so sorry to hear about Tinsley’s passing. He was the nicest, sweetest man! He was so attentive & helpful to me in the late 1970’s when I ran the summer camps at the old Austin Country Club. He would give advice to the boys & girls in each golf group, since I had no golf experience! Always with a kind word to each child! Long ago memories of a great man. Prayers for his family

A sweeter man has never lived.  Tinsley was as humble and as gifted as his father Harvey.  He was a wonderful steward of Austin Country Club for all those years after succeeding Harvey.  He had the most wonderful dry wit,  following every comment with a familiar chuckle.  Not a nervous laugh like most of us wondering if we had just said the right words,  but a genuine, unforgettable chuckle knowing he had just said something really funny.  If you knew you him you can hear it now.
Tinsley’s devotion to his family was as we all hope we will have.   To his dad Harvey he was a rock.  To his mom Helen, wow.  In her later years he gave up a chance to go with her to the Masters, instead sending me with her.  That was 1996 as guests of defending champion Ben Crenshaw.  He did that because he thought she would have more fun with me.  (Helen and I were very close, but this might have been a “girl” sensitivity on his part.)  I’ll be forever puzzled and grateful for that, as we had the time of a lifetime.
In her later years, I visited his mother Helen often, and usually found him with her.
Betty Ann, his wife, enjoyed his complete devotion also.  The three of us played afternoon golf for years.  He was a pro and Betty Ann and I simply played.  We all loved it.   
Such a fine man.  Condolences to all who knew him and will miss him dearly, as I will.  Lee Ann thank you for your devotion and care taking.  You remind me of how he was with Helen.


The highlight of my Dell Match Play experience came in 2017 when my son and I had the great pleasure of meeting Tinsley and author Kevin Robbins in the pro shop at ACC.  He was so very gracious to visit with my inquisitive 9 year old.  How fitting that this week the eyes of the golfing world will be turned to ACC as we celebrate a life well lived and honor one of golf's great caretakers.  Lifting your family in our prayers.  

Tinsley was a “gentle man” and one that I admired and respected. I am blessed to have  known both Tinsley and Harvey, but even more I am honored to have been chosen to follow in their footsteps as the third PGA Professional at Austin Country Club. Rest In Peace Tinsley and God Bless you! 

Tinsley and I sort of grew up together.  Our mothers were sisters, 2 of 6.  When I was 12 my parents told me to invite someone on a road trip to the Grand Canyon.  So I invited Tinsley, who was 15.   It was the first time he had ever been out of the state.  He always talked about that trip.  Later in life Joan and I met Tinsley and Betty Ann in San Francisco.  We were going to Pebble Beach, but on the way Tinsley wanted to stop at the San Francisco  Golf Club to get a hat with their logo on it.  That is a very exclusive place, most members are blue blood San Franciscans where lineage is more important  than money.  So Tinsley went into the pro shop and bought a hat.  This was about the time Harvey's Little Red Book was red hot.  Modest as Tinsley was, he didn't tell them his name or his connection to Harvey.  So we were confronted on the veranda of the club by someone who challenged our right to be there, as non- members, and promptly were asked to leave.  At the height of the popularity of the Little Red Book, the son of the author and family members were evicted from the San Francisco Golf Club.  Just a few of my recollections of a lifetime of being around the best cousin anyone could ever ask for.

Kathryn so sorry for your loss . Our Prayers  David Turrentine and Brian Turrentine 

OBITUARIO

Tinsley Holmes Penick

27 mayo, 1938 – 22 marzo, 2019

Weed Corley Fish Funeral Homes and Cremation Services

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