Souchak Passes

Mike Souchak of Belleair, Fla., one of golf's renowned "power hitters" and who won his first professional tournament by setting a 72-hole record that stood for 46 years, passed away July 10, at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater. He was 81.

Souchak also was one of the most popular and respected PGA Professionals, having served from 1967-72 as head professional at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Township, Mich. During his term at Oakland Hills, Souchak commuted back to Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Fla., which he helped develop.

Jay Overton was a young PGA professional, and like Souchak, a Duke University graduate. Souchak was the reason Overton came to Innisbrook, and today is its director of golf. "Mike was a true family man, devoted to his wife, Nancy, and he is one of only two athletes (joined by Dick Grout) to be named in two sports (football and golf) to the Duke Athletic Hall of Fame," said Overton. "Mike had a great influence in my career and much of it was conveying life's lessons. He had an exceptional gift for speaking and storytelling, and he also was Ben Hogan's favorite practice round partner."

A native of Berwick, Pa., Souchak won 15 PGA Tour events, and for three consecutive years (1959-61) narrowly won a U.S. Open, sharing third in 1959, 1960 and tying for fourth in 1961. He left an impact in scoring, winning his first professional title at the 1955 Texas Open by posting a 27-under-par 257. The scoring mark remained until 2001, despite the rapid advances in equipment and course maintenance.

Souchak leaves a legacy in the game that is carried by his son, Chris, of Sarasota, Fla., a PGA Professional at Venetian Golf & River Club in North Venice, Fla. "He was a giving guy and the first to offer a lending hand," said Chris. "He would always let you be the first to walk through the door. Dad got me started in golf as a five-year-old, cutting down a club for me. I did beat him once."

Souchak is survived by his wife, Nancy; sons, Michael of Las Vegas, Frank of Belleair and Chris; a daughter, Patricia Taylor of Tampa; and five grandchildren.

Funeral services for Souchak were held July 15, with burial at Serenity Gardens Memorial Park in Largo, Fla. The family requests memorial contributions to the PGA Foundation, in care of the North Florida PGA Section, 200 Forest Lake Blvd., No. 3, Daytona Beach, Fla. 32119.