Ben Smith (golfer)
Encyclopedia
Benjamin Sandipher Smith (born March 16, 1920, Fort Myers, Florida) was an American golfer. In 1938 and 1939 he won the Florida State High School Championship, and was offered a golf scholarship to go to Tulane University
, but by chance he met Thomas Trueblood
, the golf coach at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and he invited Ben to come to University of Michigan and live as his houseboy. He moved to Ann Arbor in 1939, and in his four years at the University of Michigan he he finished 3rd, 2nd, and 1st in the Big Ten Championship. In 1943, he was the president of the National Intercollegiate Golf Association and worked with Chick Evans
in his caddy scholarship program. In 1950, he won the Michigan Amateur at Gull Lake
. He also won the GAM Championship 5 times and qualified for 6 USGA Championships.
After he graduated from Michigan, Ben served three and a half years in the US Navy, and then returned to Detroit. He joined Fife Electric Supply Company in 1946 and became the owner in 1973. He was also the president of the National Association of Electrical Distributors
in 1975-1976. In 1985, Ben was inducted into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor
. In 1990, he was inducted into the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame. Finally, In 1995, he was inducted into the inaugural Fort Myers High School Green Wave Golf Hall of Fame.On July 29, 2009, Ben died at the age of 88 in the Naples Community Hospital in Naples, Florida
.
Tulane University
Tulane University is a private, nonsectarian research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States...
, but by chance he met Thomas Trueblood
Thomas Trueblood
Thomas Clarkson Trueblood was an American professor of elocution and oratory and the first coach of the University of Michigan golf and debate teams. He was affiliated with the University of Michigan for 67 years from 1884-1951, and was a nationally known writer and speaker on oratory and debate...
, the golf coach at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and he invited Ben to come to University of Michigan and live as his houseboy. He moved to Ann Arbor in 1939, and in his four years at the University of Michigan he he finished 3rd, 2nd, and 1st in the Big Ten Championship. In 1943, he was the president of the National Intercollegiate Golf Association and worked with Chick Evans
Chick Evans
Charles E. "Chick" Evans, Jr. was a leading amateur golfer of the 1910s and 1920s. Evans was the first amateur to win the U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur in one year, a feat he achieved in 1916. Evans went on to win the U.S. Amateur in 1920, while finishing runner-up three times...
in his caddy scholarship program. In 1950, he won the Michigan Amateur at Gull Lake
Gull Lake (Michigan)
Gull Lake is a lake in the U.S. state of Michigan, located mostly in Kalamazoo County with the northern tip extending into Barry County. The nearest major cities are Kalamazoo, to the southwest, and Battle Creek, to the southeast. The name was probably derived from the seagulls which at times...
. He also won the GAM Championship 5 times and qualified for 6 USGA Championships.
After he graduated from Michigan, Ben served three and a half years in the US Navy, and then returned to Detroit. He joined Fife Electric Supply Company in 1946 and became the owner in 1973. He was also the president of the National Association of Electrical Distributors
National Association of Electrical Distributors
The National Association of Electrical Distributors is the trade association for the electrical equipment distribution industry. NAED is a 5016 non-profit organization dedicated to serving and protecting the electrical distribution channel....
in 1975-1976. In 1985, Ben was inducted into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor
University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor
The University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor, founded in 1978, recognizes University of Michigan athletes, coaches, and administrators who have made significant contributions to the university's athletic programs...
. In 1990, he was inducted into the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame. Finally, In 1995, he was inducted into the inaugural Fort Myers High School Green Wave Golf Hall of Fame.On July 29, 2009, Ben died at the age of 88 in the Naples Community Hospital in Naples, Florida
Naples, Florida
Naples is a city in Collier County, Florida, United States. As of July 1, 2007, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population at 21,653. Naples is a principal city of the Naples–Marco Island Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated total population of 315,839 on July 1, 2007...
.