Friends in Belleville and through the PGA pay tribute to golf legend Bob Goalby

He was more than a sports hero, friends and associates say. The metro-east lost a “tremendous community partner” when Belleville native Bob Goalby died on Thursday.

Goalby, the 1968 Masters Tournament champion, a pioneer of the PGA Champions Tour and one of the most accomplished athletes to come out of the metro-east, died Thursday at the age of 92.

Here is what people are saying both locally, and from around PGA circuit:

Brian Mentzer, BTHS District 201 superintendent

Goalby gave his name and celebrity to an effort to raise money to have an artificial surface installed at the football stadiums in Belleville Township High School District 201. He hosted three private fundraisers at St. Clair Country Club, auctioning off some of his personal golf memorabilia. The last of those events netted the “Turf for Teams” effort more than $35,000 and put the district over its $1.4 million goal.

The District 201 Board of Education voted in 2017 to name the field at West as Bob Goalby Field Presented by Commerce Bank. It was officially dedicated in a ceremony held prior to the Maroons’ Southwestern Conference football showdown with the Edwardsville Tigers on Oct. 14 of that year.

Mentzer reflected on how much Goalby meant to the Belleville community.

“Bob Goalby meant a great deal to the Belleville Township High School District #201 community,” Mentzer said. “One of Mr. Goalby’s recent passions was to assist our schools to improve athletic facilities. He led our fundraising campaign and poured his heart into our efforts. Mr. Goalby brought amazing local and international sports heroes to our community in support of our ‘Turf for the Teams’ initiative.”

Mentzer said he also valued his personal relationship with the golf legend.

“We would frequently enjoy lunch with Mr. Goalby,” Mentzer said. “During those lunches he shared stories about his career, his life, and his many interesting encounters. He always asked about my family. While we enjoyed hearing Mr. Goalby’s amazing stories, he seemed to enjoy hearing our life stories just as much.”

Mentzer wrapped up by noting the community undoubtedly will miss Goalby.

“We owe a great deal to Bob Goalby,” he said. “Personally, I cherish the time we were able to spend together. I appreciated getting to know the caring and compassionate side of Mr. Goalby.”

Lee Meyer, Belleville West Athletic Director

Meyer also offered high praise for Goalby, stating “he lived an incredible life to the fullest” and was one of the most humble and classy men he ever knew.

“He made such a positive impact on everyone he came in contact with. He truly loved his hometown and promoted it nationally and internationally and it showed as he continued to live in Belleville his entire life. Bob was extremely generous to his community and to the schools,” Meyer said.

Additionally, Meyer reflected on the value Goalby placed on education and athletics and, in turn, how important those components are to students and families. Furthermore, Meyer called Goalby a role model.

“We are so proud to have his name on our stadium field since 2017,” Meyer said. “After the dedication, Bob let us know numerous times how he considered it his biggest honor ... and that’s coming from a man who won the 1968 Masters Championship, competed in the Ryder Cup, and is in numerous halls of fame.

“Bob was truly a role model for myself and so many people. I will miss him and his stories and know he will be missed by all.”

Tom Sipula, director of golf and general manager of St. Clair Country Club

Sipula joined the country club in spring of 2011 as the head golf pro. That’s when he first met Goalby and, naturally, was impressed.

“Right away, it was very obvious that he was a people person,” said Sipula, who just began his fifth year as director of golf and GM. “He really enjoyed the club atmosphere. He enjoyed mingling with the members. He loved to poke fun. He had a pretty sharp needle we would say, but it was all in good fun.”

Sipula remarked how Goalby simply enjoyed the atmosphere and being around everyone at the country club.

“He spent time with all of us. He would come in the golf shop and hang out for five or 10 minutes, ask questions,” Sipula said. “He didn’t need to do any of that. He just liked people. He loved the game of golf. The guy was a legend for all of us. We don’t know anybody else that had his stature or his career. It was a tremendous experience for me personally and staff at the country club to rub shoulders with him and be a part of his life.”

Sipula said Goalby’s legacy and memory will live forever at St. Clair Country Club.

“It’s somebody you’re never going to stop thinking about,” he said. “Every time you walk into the Goalby Room, you’re going to be reminded of the stories and the times you spent with him, the pictures that you took. His legacy at St. Clair is cemented. Every time you pass his locker downstairs you’re going to think of Bob Goalby.

“St. Clair Country Club was like his back yard. It was that personal to him. He cared about the place North, South, East, and West and wanted it to be as good as could be.”

Tim Finchem, former PGA Tour commissioner

“In whatever Bob did, whether he was swinging a club, sitting in a board room making things better for the players, walking the fairways while holding a microphone or simply spending time with his family, he was a wonderful man ... one of the greatest storytellers, and we will miss him.”

Jay Haas, nephew and and pro golfer

“He was never saying, ‘Here’s what I did.’ To the men of his era, Bob was a leader, but he had a lot of humility.”

Fred Ridley, Chairman Augusta National Golf Club and Masters Tournament

“Bob Goalby was one of the true gentlemen in the game of golf, and we are deeply saddened by his passing. He demonstrated tremendous play, sportsmanship and humility in his 1968 Masters victory and has worn the Green Jacket with distinction ever since. His victory will always be remembered and celebrated at Augusta National and the Masters Tournament,” he said in a statement.

What the Facebook community is saying

• “I sure spent a LOT of time over at the Goalby house back in high school. We were always a little intimidated by Bob (er, Mr. Goalby), but he really was such a nice man. Even though he’s lived down the road from me for a while now, the last time I saw him was up at Fletchers, and he knew exactly who I was. Not sure that’s good! My thoughts are with Kelly, Kye, and Kevin.” — Chris Allard.
  
  

• “RIP Bob Goalby! Thank for being a great person and a true pro.” — Randy Wells.
  
  

• “You will be missed. My dad delivered your newspapers for many years. And my husband interviewed you many times. You were such a wonderful man.” — Janet Kay Genaust.
  
  

• “A Belleville legend has left us.” — Joe Merriman.
  
  

• “I had the pleasure of working with Bob Goalby many times over the past 25 years. It did not matter to him if you were a Fortune 100 CEO, a busboy at a country club, or a camera grunt - he treated everyone with respect. He was a true gentleman, a Masters Champion and a great credit to the game. — Dave Topping.

• “RIP Mr. Goalby! A great champion and more importantly, a great gentleman! Prayers of comfort going up to Kel and all the Goalby family!” — Courtnay Rudolph.

• “We are saddened by the loss of ‘Uncle Bob’ Goalby. May he Rest In Peace March 14, 1929 - January 20, 2022.” — The Haas Family.

• “I always enjoyed spending time with my friend, former Masters champion Bob Goalby. Thoughts and prayers to his nephew Jay Haas and the entire family.” — Crenshaw on Golf.

• “The St. Louis golf community mourns the loss of one of its treasures tonight, Bob Goalby. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Goalby, Haas and St. Clair Country Club families with this news. #RIPBobGoalby.” — Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association.

• “Saddened to hear our course designer Mr. Bob Goalby passed today. Mr. Goalby designed Far Oaks with his son Kye Goalby. The 1968 Masters champion was a legend in our area and always willing to have a great conversation about the game and Far Oaks. The Far Oaks family appreciates what you left us Mr. Goalby. You were a true gentleman and great ambassador to our great game. RIP Mr. Goalby!” — Far Oaks Golf Club.

• “Rest in peace, Bob Goalby.” Golf Digest.