Watson's Caddie, Bruce Edwards, Dies
Thursday April 8, 2004
Bruce Edwards, the longtime caddie for Tom Watson whose battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) inspired a national campaign to fight the disease, has died at the age of 49.
According to a report by The Association Press, Edwards died Thursday morning from complications due to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and Watson learned of Edwards' death shortly before teeing off for his first round in The Masters.
Watson and Edwards made an emotional showing at the 2003 U.S. Open, several months after Edwards had been diagnosed with the disease and told he had 1-3 years to live. Following the Open, Watson launched a national campaign to raise money to research a cure to ALS, for which there is currently no treatment.
Despite the disease, Edwards caddied for Watson throughout 2003.
PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem, in a statement issued Thursday, said of Edwards, "Bruce put up a brave fight in his battle with this terrible disease and, with Tom’s assistance and support, brought extensive attention to ALS and the fight to find a cure.
"The courage and never-flagging good humor displayed by Bruce following his diagnosis with this deadly disease served as an inspiration to people everywhere.
"We join millions of golf fans around the world in offering our prayers and support for his wife, his two stepchildren and his many friends."
More on Bruce Edwards, Tom Watson and ALS
• Bruce Edwards obituary (espn.com)
• Ivan Maisel: Edwards made Watson a better man (espn.com)
• Following 2003 U.S. Open, Watson launches "Driving 4 Life"
• Learn more about ALS on About.com's Rare/Orphan Diseases site
According to a report by The Association Press, Edwards died Thursday morning from complications due to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and Watson learned of Edwards' death shortly before teeing off for his first round in The Masters.
Watson and Edwards made an emotional showing at the 2003 U.S. Open, several months after Edwards had been diagnosed with the disease and told he had 1-3 years to live. Following the Open, Watson launched a national campaign to raise money to research a cure to ALS, for which there is currently no treatment.
Despite the disease, Edwards caddied for Watson throughout 2003.
PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem, in a statement issued Thursday, said of Edwards, "Bruce put up a brave fight in his battle with this terrible disease and, with Tom’s assistance and support, brought extensive attention to ALS and the fight to find a cure.
"The courage and never-flagging good humor displayed by Bruce following his diagnosis with this deadly disease served as an inspiration to people everywhere.
"We join millions of golf fans around the world in offering our prayers and support for his wife, his two stepchildren and his many friends."
More on Bruce Edwards, Tom Watson and ALS
• Bruce Edwards obituary (espn.com)
• Ivan Maisel: Edwards made Watson a better man (espn.com)
• Following 2003 U.S. Open, Watson launches "Driving 4 Life"
• Learn more about ALS on About.com's Rare/Orphan Diseases site
To Make Donations:
Visit Driving4Life.org
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