Bruce Edwards Succumbs to ALS


Tom Watson's Longtime Caddie Dies April 8 At 49
April 8, 2004
By David Shefter, USGA



Bruce Edwards (left) was always solidly behind his man, Tom Watson , during a caddie/player relationship that was forged in 1974. Edwards was on the bag for Watson 's win at the 1982 U.S. Open. (Photo/USGA)

When the USGA gave Tom Watson a special exemption into the 2003 U.S. Open at Olympia Fields (Ill.) Country Club, little did anyone know just how "special" his appearance at this championship would become. Watson, the winner of eight professional majors including the 1982 U.S. Open, thrilled the gallery and millions watching on television with a one-for-the-ages 5-under-par 65 that put the then-53-year-old into a share of the first-round lead. He also became the oldest player to ever lead a U.S. Open.

But more importantly, the round brought some much-needed publicity to a deadly and torturous disease, one that currently has no cure. Watson's longtime caddie and friend, Bruce Edwards, had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis — better known in layman's terms as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Watson's brilliant round provided him a national stage to discuss the importance of ALS research so that someday a cure could be found. Watson, who captured two Champions Tour majors in 2004 and earned $1.8 million, donated the $1 million tax-deferred annuity he received for winning that circuit's player of the year to Driving4Life, the ALS Therapy Development Foundation in Cambridge, Mass. The 4 is symbolic of Gehrig's former uniform number.

But shortly before Watson teed off to compete in his 31st Masters Tournament at Augusta (Ga.) National Golf Club on April 8, Edwards, 49, lost his bout with ALS. Watson was informed of the death prior to his round.

"He certainly did his job with aplomb and respect for the game," Watson said after carding a 4-over 76 in the opening round of the Masters. "And that made him ... 'the Arnold Palmer of caddies.' When a young guy came out, a guy who was a rookie out here, Bruce would not hesitate to tell him the ropes, show him the ropes and say, hey, this is the way you do it. He didn't hesitate to kick him in the butt when they weren't doing the right thing, too. He'd say, 'Hey, come on, clean up your act. We have an image to uphold out here.' "

His death at his home in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., came one night after the Golf Writers Association of America honored the caddie with the Ben Hogan Award, an honor given annually to an individual who continued to be active in golf despite a physical handicap or serious illness. Hogan, of course, came back to win three U.S. Opens (six majors in all) following a near-fatal car accident in 1949.

Watson, who received two awards at the annual GWAA event, including the Charlie Bartlett Award given to a golfer for unselfish contributions to society, asked the crowd not to cry for Bruce Edwards. "Let's celebrate his wonderful heart," Watson said. "Not a mean bone in his body."

Following his speech, the crowd stood and applauded. Jay Edwards, Bruce's father, accepted the Hogan Award on his son's behalf.

Sporting News columnist Dave Kindred, who received a writing award, chose to speak about Edwards instead of his award. "Please laugh for Bruce and Tom tonight," Kindred said.


Bruce Edwards helps Tom Watson line up a putt at the 2003 U.S. Senior Open where Watson finished second. It was the second consecutive runner-up finish for Watson at the Senior Open. (Photo/USGA)

Author John Feinstein, who recently wrote a book, "Caddy for Life: The Bruce Edwards Story," tried to hold back tears during the introduction for Bruce's award. Said Feinstein, who also wrote a book chronicling the 2002 U.S. Open at Bethpage State Park: "To me courage is getting up in the morning every day to fight a battle you know you can't win."

On the golf course, Edwards and Watson enjoyed many battles as the two became one of the great caddie/player combinations in the game. The two joined forces in 1973 and except for a brief three-year stint with Greg Norman at Watson's suggestion, the two stayed together through last year.

Edwards was on the bag when Watson chipped in at the 71st hole of the 1982 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, a shot that catapulted Watson to a two-stroke victory over Jack Nicklaus. In fact, it was Edwards who predicted that his player would hole the difficult chip from the greenside rough before Watson executed the shot.

"I think that hug at the 18th hole at Pebble Beach was probably the most wonderful memory that we both shared together," Watson said. "That was the only major he won on my bag. But, you know, that was the major that I wanted to most and he knew that."

But it wasn't until Edwards was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease that the caddie received national attention. Watson assisted his friend with the enormous medical bills — because caddies are independent contractors, they don't have health-care benefits — and he helped raise $3 millions for ALS research. The disease also tightened the bond between these two gentlemen.

Watson then went on to have his best year ever on the Champions Tour, much of it inspired by Edwards' battle with ALS.

"If I go in a year or less, I've had a wonderful life," Edwards told media members at last year's U.S. Open. "I've been lucky. I had one of the greatest golfers in the world. I've had a wonderful ride, a lot of wins, a lot of great moments."

For further information on ALS or to make a donation, go to www.als.net.

Bruce Edwards joined forces with Tom Watson in 1973, forming a tandem that went beyond the game of golf. Edwards was often Watson's sounding board on and off the course.

A new end-of-year USGA publication "That Championship Year" sent to members featured Bruce Edwards and Tom Watson on its inaugural cover.

Tom Watson (right) and his caddie, Bruce Edwards, shared many good times on the golf course together, including the 2003 U.S. Senior Open where Watson placed second, two strokes behind Bruce Lietzke. Edwards spent all but three years of his professional caddie life working for Watson.

Bruce Edwards nearly added a second USGA title on Tom Watson's bag at the 2003 U.S. Senior Open. For the second consecutive year, Watson finished as the runner-up, this time to Bruce Lietzke. As it turned out, the Senior Open was Edwards' last USGA event. He died April 8 from ALS.

Bruce Edwards keeps on eye on Tom Watson's putt at the 18th hole during the 2003 U.S. Open at Olympia Fields (Ill.) Country Club. Watson, at 53, became the oldest player to ever lead a U.S. Open when he carded a first-round 65. He made the cut and finished in a tie for 28th.

Bruce Edwards takes a moment to reflect while caddieing for Tom Watson during the 2003 U.S. Open at Olympia Fields (Ill.) Country Club. Edwards succumbed to ALS on April 8 at the age of 49.

Bruce Edwards spent nearly all of his adult life in the professional caddie ranks. He worked all but three years for Tom Watson, who captured the 1982 U.S. Open with Edwards on the bag.

Bruce Edwards, Tom Watson's caddie, during the second round of the 2003 U.S. Senior Open at Invernes Club in Toledo, Ohio.