Tom Weiskopf, a former major champion who went on to become a golf course designer, died at age 79. Weiskopf died Saturday at his home in Big Sky, Montana, according to his wife Laurie.
Weiskopf won 16 PGA Tour titles between 1968 and 1982, and won the 1973 British Open. He also was a golf analyst and television host.
Tom Weiskopf
Tom Weiskopf, a former professional golfer and renowned course architect who won one British Open, died at age 79 on August 20. The PGA Tour announced the news on Sunday.
Born in Massillion, Ohio, Weiskopf started out as an amateur before turning professional in 1964. He didn’t win a single tournament during his career until 1968, when he won the Andy Williams-San Diego Open Invitational at Torrey Pines.
After his playing career, Weiskopf started a new career as a course designer. He collaborated with Jay Morrish on Troon Country Club in Scottsdale, Arizona. He then worked with Phil Smith on a number of highly regarded courses, including Loch Lomond in Scotland and Torrey Pines North.
He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2020. He continued working on his course designs until his death in Big Sky, Montana. He was married to Laurie Weiskopf, and they had two children, Eric and Heidi.
Jeanne Weiskopf
Jeanne Weiskopf, Tom’s ex-wife and the former winner of the 1965 Miss America Beauty Pageant, was a natural outdoors woman. She raised her children to appreciate sunlight, moonlight and how to deal with bug bites.
She also taught them to love golf as a family sport. Her son Eric became a good player and she helped him find his way in the game.
Heidi, Tom’s daughter and the mother of Hunter and Morgan, also became a good golfer, but she didn’t settle into it as quickly. She had good fundamentals but wasn’t good enough to win a tournament.
In his career, Weiskopf won 16 PGA Tour titles, including the 1973 Open Championship at Royal Troon. He was a golf course architect as well, designing such courses as Loch Lomond in Scotland and the North Course at Torrey Pines.
Jeanne’s Children
Weiskopf was a 16-time winner on the PGA Tour and a four-time runner-up at The Masters – more than any other player who hasn’t won a Green Jacket. He was also a respected course architect who worked on some of the most prestigious golf courses in the world.
Tom Weiskopf was married twice, first to Jeanne Weiskopf and then Laurie Weiskopf. He was a divorced father of two children and died last year.
The American certified golfer married his second wife Laurie in 2005 and the couple remained together for 13 years until his death from cancer. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in December 2020.
His wife Laurie is a real estate agent and she has been his much-needed friend as he battled his cancer. She has stayed out of the spotlight and is not active on social media.
He is survived by his wife Laurie and his two children Eric Weiskopf and Heidi Weiskopf.
Jeanne’s Death
Tom Weiskopf’s wife Jeanne Weiskopf died on August 21, 2022. She was a former Miss Minnesota who married the legendary golfer.
The two shared a life together and had two children, Heidi Weiskopf and Eric Weiskopf. They were divorced in 1999.
They loved to be outdoors and raised their children with a love for hunting. They taught their sons to be strong, independent and respectful of the natural world.
Weiskopf won 16 PGA Tour titles between 1968 and 1982. He also played on the US Ryder Cup teams in 1973 and 1975.
After his career ended, Weiskopf became a respected course architect. He designed TPC Scottsdale and the North Course at Torrey Pines. His work has been praised by former major champions. He died at age 79 on Saturday, August 20, 2022 from pancreatic cancer.
