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December 4, 2025,2025Remembering Fuzzy Zoeller and his gift
Fuzzy Zoeller, who sadly passed away about a week ago at the age of 74, will be remembered as one of golf's most charismatic and engaging figures. He genuinely loved the crowds and the attention that came with the game, and fans embraced him in return for his outgoing personality and his seemingly carefree, go-for-it style of play. His presence on the course brought energy, humor, and a sense of joy that resonated with golfers and spectators alike. His unwavering belief in himself was the gift that propelled him to two major championships and earned him the admiration of everyone who knew him.
I met Fuzzy in 1975 during my only year on the PGA Tour, which also happened to be his rookie season. We played a handful of rounds together—maybe five in total. I wouldn't claim that we were close friends, but once you spent any time around Fuzzy, he never forgot you. From that point on, you were a friend.
He earned just over $7,000 that first year, yet his belief in his own future was unmistakable. Fuzzy didn't have a standout amateur career, but after playing with him, I knew his skill level was more than good enough to compete with the very best. He was a "hand player" with a swing that wasn't textbook-perfect, but he had tremendous natural ability—solid contact, effortless shot-shaping, and the creativity to work the ball right or left, high or low.
What many people don't realize is that Fuzzy was one of the longest hitters on Tour. That was a tremendous advantage: not only long, but long and straight. Putting wasn't always his strength, but when his putter cooperated, he could beat anybody. Many golfers possess the physical skills, but the real test is whether you can perform on a national stage when the pressure is at its peak. Fuzzy proved he had what it took.
I believe Fuzzy's gift was his openness to his environment and people. He didn't see conflicts just opportunities. When I played with him, he gave the appearance of not caring. Every shot was possible, and "so what" if it didn't turn out that way he wanted. In contrast, I was super serious and trying to be perfect. It was only much later that I relaxed and could let myself go, that I was able to play up to my potential. Fuzzy was showing me the formula to release my inner game, but I didn't see it at that time.
Fuzzy liked to smoke, drink, and have a good time. He and Julius Boros became good friends partly because Fuzzy always kept a bottle of the finest Kentucky whiskey in his room. At some point he must have switched to vodka, because he later launched Fuzzy's Vodka and turned it into a successful venture.
Fuzzy was never shy about making himself known to the other PGA pros. In 1975, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, and Johnny Miller were the stars of the Tour. The rest of us knew our place and respected their privacy. That's not to say they weren't friendly, but they moved in a different circle. This was typical Fuzzy. We were walking down a fairway together when Arnold Palmer came down the adjacent one. Without hesitation, Fuzzy turned toward Arnie, waving his arms and shouting, "Hey Arnie, how's it going? Fuzzy here!" He was a rookie and Arnie was the King — you just didn't do that. I felt a little embarrassed, but Fuzzy thought it was great fun. And honestly, that was exactly who he was.
Fuzzy had a great life. He won a Masters and a U.S. Open, made millions of dollars, and touched countless people—all the while enjoying every bit of the journey. That personality and showmanship are missing in today's golfers. His gift was his openness, his willingness to embrace golf's challenges, and his refusal to treat the game like "life and death." This is a lesson all golfers can take to heart, both for life and for a better golf game.
