- November 21, 2024
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He wanted to be a big brother to the golf community.
That's how Jeff Boudrie, a Lakewood Ranch resident and the Southwest Chapter president of the PGA's North Florida section, describes Tim Beckwith.
Beckwith was a PGA Master Professional and the director of golf at The Oaks Club in Osprey for 20 years. He even wrote a book, titled "The Front Nine," which was published in 2015 and served as both a golf advice book and an open letter to his son, Jackson Beckwith.
"Win or lose, I would rather play a game my way — with integrity," Beckwith wrote in the book. "This was the only way I could play golf and still get to sleep at night."
Beckwith was big on charity. Boudrie said that though events like the chapter's annual "Birdie-a-thon," which was often spearheaded by Beckwith, he helped to raise nearly $500,000 for local children's charities over a decade-long period.
He was also a great mentor to his golf assistants and helped them land big-time positions once leaving his tutelage. One such assistant, Kevin Swan, left to become the director of golf at Sarasota's TPC Prestancia and is now in the same position at The Club at Mediterra in Naples. Another former understudy, Patrick Sams, is now the head golf pro at Lake Naomi Club in Ponoco Pines, Pennsylvania.
"These skills (mentoring and raising money for charity) were like superpowers," Boudrie said.
In October 2021, Beckwith died after a four-year bout with cancer. But the golf world was not ready for the memory of him to leave. Beckwith posthumously received the PGA of America's 2021 Bill Strausbaugh Award, given annually to someone who "personally displays outstanding integrity, character, and leadership through a commitment to mentoring and making significant impacts on the careers of PGA Professionals," according to the PGA's website.
"He was considered the best mentor in the country," Boudrie said. "When he died, it shook people. I mean, here's a 6-foot-3 good-looking guy who hardly ate an unhealthy meal. He was a larger-than-life figure."
The Southwest chapter wanted to do even more to honor Beckwith's towering legacy. In 2022, the idea for the Tim Beckwith Memorial Pro-Am was conceived. The event would raise money for a scholarship given to a local athlete who displays not only great skill, but who has strong grades and is a staple in the community. The inaugural event took place July 8, 2022, at TPC Prestancia in Sarasota.
In 2023, the event is coming back. It will be held July 10 at TPC Prestancia, with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. Boudrie said he welcomes anyone who is interested in playing in the event in doing so, as long as they get a foursome together that includes a PGA professional. Those who don't want to play can still contribute to the event's scholarship fund by visiting the North Florida PGA website.
The more money the events gives away, Boudrie said, the more it honors its namesake.
"Tim was a humble guy, but he would be proud of this," Boudrie said.
Missy Williams, the director of golf at Tara Golf and Country Club and the vice president of the Southwest Chapter, said that the event is special to her. In Beckwith's Bill Strausbaugh Award video presentation, Williams said Beckwith lit up a room every time he walked into one — not on purpose, but naturally. He was a superstar, Williams said.
"You would listen to him and want to be a better person," Williams said.
Kevin Paschall, the co-owner of Legacy Golf Club and the North Florida PGA president, said Beckwith mentored every professional in the Southwest Chapter through his leadership and his dedication to giving back.
Boudrie said he's excited to see the event grow in its second year.
"All us golf pros, we work 60-80 hours a week, so it is tough to find much time, but a lot of came together and got this thing started," Boudrie said. "It's nice. I'm proud of my fellow PGA members for showing leadership in the community and giving back. We all had mentors and we all caught a break at some point. It's nice to give back to hard-working kids who need a bit of a boost."
For more information on the tournament or how interested parties can donate or participate, contact Boudrie at [email protected] or Williams at [email protected].
