By Torleif Sorenson on 4/29/15

PGA Tour star and 1985 Players Championship winner Calvin Peete died early this morning at the age of 71.

Calvin Peete will be remembered for persevering through a broken left arm as a child that never healed properly when a doctor failed to set the arm properly in a cast. Despite this — and only beginning to play golf during his 20s — Calvin Peete hung tough and made it to the PGA Tour.

Peete turned professional in 1975, winning the Greater Milwaukee Open in 1979. But Peete turned red-hot during the 1980s, winning 11 times between 1982 and 1986, starting with a second Greater Milwaukee Open victory in 1982 and rolling through the 1985 Players Championship. He won both the Vardon Trophy and the Byron Nelson Award in 1984, bookended by spots on the United States Ryder Cup team in 1983 and 1985.

In spite of that troublesome left arm, Peete actually led the PGA Tour in driving accuracy from 1981 to 1990. In fact, since 1981, nobody has been better than Peete and his 82.6% or better fairway statistic. Nobody. He was also a welcome presence on the Senior/Champions Tour from 1994 to 2000.

Among the first notable people to comment on the loss of Calvin Peete was PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem:

"Calvin was an inspiration to so many people. He started in the game relatively late in life but quickly became one of the TOUR's best players, winning and winning often despite the hardship of his injured arm. I can still remember watching Calvin hit drive after drive straight down the middle of the fairway, an amazing display of talent he possessed despite some of his physical limitations.

"Throughout his life, he gave so much, and we especially noticed it when he moved to Ponte Vedra Beach as he continued to support the community, the PGA TOUR and our various charitable pursuits. Along with his wife, Pepper, he made such a difference working with The First Tee and junior golf in this area. Calvin will always be remembered as a great champion and an individual who consistently gave back to the game. We will dearly miss him."

RIP Calvin Peete. I wrote in '80s about his struggles w/ Masters management. Blazed trail for Tiger. Great man.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) April 29, 2015

Rest in Peace to my husband @RodneyPeete9's cousin Calvin Peete - He paved the way for Tiger Woods. #CalvinPeete https://t.co/VJj0IJTuCi

— Holly Robinson Peete (@hollyrpeete) April 29, 2015

Today we mourn the loss of 1985 Champion and one of golf's greats, Calvin Peete: http://t.co/k7dgkDNcG7 pic.twitter.com/cENEVJ7MnH

— THE PLAYERS (@THEPLAYERSChamp) April 29, 2015

Calvin Peete, a courageous and underrated player has passed away at 71. In my encounters he was always a gentleman. http://t.co/bnPAf9lkIo

— Todd Lewis (@ToddLewisGC) April 29, 2015

Once had Calvin Peete hit five drives off 1st tee at Harbour Town for sequence photos. Could have put a blanket over all five in fairway.

— Jim Moriarty (@GWMoriarty) April 29, 2015

Sad to hear of the passing of Calvin Peete. Was an incredible ball striker. 12 time winner I believe. Just awesome. RIP.

— David Duval (@david59duval) April 29, 2015

R.I.P. Calvin Peete. Great man.

— Rangers Report (@rangersreport) April 29, 2015

Calvin Peete was born July 18, 1943 in Detroit and passed away this morning in Atlanta, age 71 years. He is survived by his wife, Pepper, and his children, Calvin, Dennis, Rickie, Nicole, Kalvanetta, Aisha, and Aleya.

Needless to say, we at SkyGolf are thankful that Calvin Peete graced the game we love for at least three decades. We truly never will forget him.



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