Tom Weiskopf, the 1973 British Open winner and a 16-time PGA Tour champion who also became a renowned golf course architect and television analyst, died on Saturday at his home in Big Sky, Mont., according to the Associated Press.
Weiskopf’s talent translated from a star-crossed playing career to critical success as a golf course designer. He partnered with Jay Moorish and designed numerous courses, including Troon Country Club in Scottsdale and Loch Lomond in Scotland.
Cancer
Cancer is a group of related conditions in which your body’s cells start to grow and divide uncontrollably. The cells can then spread out and form tumors, or growths that block vital organs or blood vessels.
The human body is made up of trillions of cells that normally grow and divide as needed to function properly. When some cells get old or damaged, they die and new ones are formed to replace them.
But sometimes the body makes more than it needs and these excess cells begin to grow, divide, and spread out of control. This causes the growth of tumors that can invade surrounding tissues and damage other parts of the body.
Tom Weiskopf was a legendary golfer who won 16 times on the PGA Tour, including his lone major championship at Royal Troon in 1973. He also excelled as a television announcer and a course architect.
Kidney Disease
Kidneys play several important jobs in the body, such as filtering extra water and waste from the blood, regulating blood pressure, helping the body produce red blood cells and helping with bone health.
Damage to your kidneys can happen all of a sudden or over time. It’s called chronic kidney disease (CKD).
A doctor will look at your medical history to help identify whether you have kidney problems. They’ll also do urine tests to look for things like a kidney infection, glomerulonephritis or nephrotic syndrome and check how well your kidneys work.
Your doctor will also tell you about the treatment options available for your condition. These may include dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Your GP may also ask you questions about your lifestyle, diet and medications. They’ll offer tips on how to deal with the symptoms of kidney disease and give you information about support groups, charities or websites that provide resources for people with CKD.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is a group of problems that affect your heart or blood vessels. Symptoms may include chest pain (angina), heart attack or stroke.
A common form of heart disease is coronary artery disease, which develops when the arteries that supply blood to the heart become clogged with plaque (atherosclerosis). Plaque can break loose and cause blockages that can cut off blood flow to the heart and other parts of the body.
The risk of heart disease can be reduced by eating a healthy diet, exercising, getting regular health checkups, and taking heart-healthy medications. Some people may also have a genetic predisposition for some types of heart disease.
Some of the most common heart defects are a hole in the heart’s wall (cardiomyopathy), an abnormally large or small heart (congenital) and a faulty valve (atypical). A defect is not always the cause of symptoms, but early diagnosis and treatment can reduce your risk for complications and improve your quality of life.
Stroke
In the era of golf legends like Nicklaus, Palmer and Watson, Tom Weiskopf was a towering figure. He was a talented player, golf course architect and a voice of the game.
He won 16 PGA Tour events in the 1970s, including the 1973 Open Championship at Royal Troon in Scotland. He also won four runner-up finishes at the Masters and was one of the most accomplished tee-to-green players on tour.
After retiring from playing, he turned his talents to golf course architecture. He designed 43 courses, including the TPC Scottsdale Stadium course in Phoenix.
The former golfer passed away on August 20, 2022, at the age of 79. He died of pancreatic cancer. He had been battling the disease since 2020.