'You were the heart of all of us': Friends remember Augusta restaurateur Mark Cumins

Other people might remember meeting celebrities, but celebrities often remembered meeting Mark Cumins.

The restaurateur who co-owned Augusta’s TBonz Steakhouse – and whose philanthropy was outsized only by his humbleness – died Oct. 5 at age 66.

“Very sad news,” 2008 Masters Tournament champion Trevor Immelman posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Mark was (an) Augusta and Masters Week legend. Always had a great time with him at TBonz. RIP.”

Strangers who met Cumins weren’t strangers for long. During Masters Week, TBonz’s busiest week of the year, his welcoming, genial personality became as familiar a sight in Augusta as blooming azaleas.

"You were the heart of all of us,” Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Darius Rucker posted. “I will miss you until the day I die, my friend. Thank you for making my life so much better. Rest, my brother."

Born in Augusta, Cumins graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in special education. While in school, he met fellow student Jerry Scheer. Their joint decision to open a restaurant sparked a business collaboration and friendship that lasted nearly 40 years.

The men opened their first eatery, T-Bones – later changed to TBonz – at 1120 Baxter St. in Athens, which is now a vacant lot next to an IHOP restaurant.

Watch it: See a T-Bones TV advertisement from 1992 featuring UGA legend Loran Smith.

Cumins and Scheer moved the TBonz concept to Charleston, S.C., and opened several more popular restaurants, including Liberty Tap Room, Pearlz Oyster Bar and Kaminsky’s.

In the late 1980s, TBonz moved to Augusta. During Masters Week, tournament caddies began gathering at the steakhouse. As years passed, TBonz started attracting pro golfers during the tournament, followed by broadcasters, Hollywood celebrities and other sports notables.

Soon, a Masters Week visit to TBonz became, much like the tournament itself, “a tradition unlike any other.”

"Sad to hear of the passing of Mark Cumins, the owner of TBonz in Augusta,” posted golf commentator and columnist Eamon Lynch. “Evenings spent in his company were always punctuated with great laughter. RIP, pal."

Cumins eagerly invested in communities where he conducted business. His Hometown Hospitality Group of restaurants shared its success with an array of charities helping children, people with disabilities and learning institutions. TBonz in Augusta has fed hundreds of foster children each year on Thanksgiving.

“He was a dear friend to so many, the 'Host with the Most' every April during Masters Week in Augusta, as everyone – players, caddies, media, spectators – headed to TBonz and always got a smile, hug and a big welcome from Mark,” said sports broadcasting personality Ann Ligouri.

Just one example of Cumin’s humility, selflessness and gratitude was reflected in a letter to the editor he wrote to The Augusta Chronicle in 1994 after an out-of-control truck crashed into the restaurant during business hours. Instead of dwelling on the damage, he expressed his gratitude to first responders, his staff, local media and the community.

"I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to Augusta," Cumins wrote. "In a world where indifference is commonly accepted, I would like to point out this extraordinary exception."

Cumin’s funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Cemetery in Charleston. The family urges well-wishers to donate to the Mark & Noula Cumins Nursing Scholarship at the Roper St. Francis Foundation, 100 Calhoun St., Ste. 210, Charleston, S.C. 29401.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Beloved Augusta restaurateur Mark Cumins loved life, shared much