Samuel Henry “Errie” Ball, 103, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and loved ones on July 2, 2014 in Stuart, Florida. Born into a golfing family in Bangor, Wales, he and his family grew up playing golf at Lancaster Golf Club.
At the encouragement of Bobby Jones, Errie moved to Atlanta in 1930 to work as an assistant under his uncle, Frank Ball at East Lake Country Club. Jones said, “Ball has the most perfect swing in America.” After playing in the British Open in 1936 at Hoylake, he met Maxwell Wright on the return Atlantic voyage; they were married that same year.
Errie served in the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Glenview Naval Air Station, in Chicago. Later he would become head professional at the following golf clubs: Oak Park, Butler National, Tucson, Tucson National, Mariner Sands, East Pointe, Palm Beach Polo, Pipers Landing, Harbour Ridge, and then became Pro Emeritus at Willoughby.
He is survived by his wife Maxwell, his brothers Tom and John, his daughter Leslie, son in law Terence, granddaughters Paige and Samantha and great grandson Terence Alexander.
Donations can be made to www.thefirsttee.org
“He is always a perfect gentleman..plays an excellent game, and has learned an exceptional amount of the teaching end of the game.” Robert T Jones.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday July 5th at Willoughby Golf Club.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18