STPGA Past President, Charlie Eskridge Passes Away
A proud PGA Member that impacted so many people!
On Sunday morning, September 7, PGA Member Charlie Eskridge died after a lengthy battle with pulmonary lung disease. He is survived by his wife, Mary Alice, and brother-in-law Lewis Benavides.
Charlie was a devoted PGA Member who spent his entire career in Southern Texas, becoming a PGA Member in 1970. He was the STPGA President from 1979 to 1980 and is best known for his understanding and knowledge of the PGA Constitution and overall Governance for the Association, both locally and nationally. Eskridge also served on a national level, serving both on the Board of Control and as District Director, one of only a few people to ever do both in the Association’s history.
He was always known as our parliamentarian and for being the first Captain of the Levy Cup Matches when the matches commenced in 2017. He always loved being with his fellow PGA Members, and attendees are attending the national PGA of America Annual Meeting.
There are no funeral arrangements at this time, and Charlie's ashes will be buried with his wife's ashes at the appropriate time.
Below are some comments from fellow PGA Members when the news broke of his passing.
No one knew the PGA Constitution and loved the PGA more than Charlie. He was my PGA mentor, and Mary Alice was like a mother to me… but as she made me say “Big Sister!” – Paul Levy, PGA of America Past President
Charlie could tell a story like few others. One of my favorites was his retelling of the story on the 17th green of Justin Leonard's singles match at the 1999 Ryder Cup. Charlie was serving on the Board at that time, and his duty on that Sunday was being the forecaddie for the pairing behind Leonard and Olazabal. This meant he had a front row seat to what would become the deciding match on the wildest day in Ryder Cup history. Something had happened on 17 with the Payne Stewart-Colin Montgomery match that prevented Charlie from being greenside on 17. Otherwise, in a manner that only Charlie could convey, the headline would have been about the quote, PGA Board Member charging onto the green and carrying Justin Leonard away like the winning coach at the Super Bowl. He was totally caught up in the moment. – Mike Ray, Former Executive Director STPGA
Today is a profoundly sorrowful day for Southern Texas and the PGA of America. Like many of you, I had the privilege of knowing Charlie as a mentor—someone I held in the highest regard. His unwavering belief in the PGA of America and the PGA Professionals was evident in everything he did; he dedicated himself each day to improving the PGA of America and the livelihood of the PGA members. – Dale Morgan, Current District 12 Director.
Charlie will be missed! We send our thoughts and prayers to his family.
