Golf pro Joseph 'Bud' Lewis, 103, dies

Golf pro Joseph 'Bud' Lewis, 103, dies

Published Nov. 25, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

Joseph ''Bud'' Lewis, the golf professional who was the longest serving and oldest living member of the PGA of America, has died. He was 103.

The Shelly Funeral Home said Lewis died Tuesday of natural causes.

With Lewis' death, the PGA of America said Samuel Henry ''Errie'' Ball of Stuart, Fla., is the oldest living PGA of America member. Ball is 101.

Lewis became a PGA member in May 1931 and was the first to reach 80 years of membership.

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He became head professional at Manufacturers Golf & Country Club in 1943 and spent 37 years in the position. He later was the club's pro emeritus.

He won the Philadelphia Open in 1942 and 1950, and qualified for the PGA Championship four times and the US Open three times. He was inducted into the Philadelphia Section PGA Hall of Fame in 1996.

Lewis is survived by sons Joseph Jr. and Dan, daughter Jean, 12 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.

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