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The People News, a free newspaper serving Cleveland Tennessee (TN) and Bradley County Tennessee (Tn).
Of Bradley County Tn.
MAY 2004
The People News, a free newspaper serving Cleveland and Bradley County Tn.
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by Jerry Keys
Batman always had Robin; Hank Aaron always had Eddie Mathews, Joe Montana always had Jerry Rice, and Tom Watson always had Bruce Edwards.
If you are not a golfing buff, like me, you're shaking your head wondering who this guy is. Edwards was Watson's caddie for the last 30 years (minus one short hiatus) and played a large part in defining who Tom Watson was in the public's eye.
In 2002 Edwards was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). This is an incurable disease that effects the motor neurons in the brain and spinal column, where it is the progressive wasting away of certain nerve cells. The neurons control the voluntary muscles, which allow movement.
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Watson's life took on a new focus, the once fiery combatant found a new logic to life, saving his caddie's life. He began last year with a new conviction, a more readable portrait to the public.
Infused with a new passion not seen in Watson in over a decade, he and Edwards stole the show in the opening round of the 2003 U.S Open. Watson shot a robust 65 but the moment remembered was their tearful hug after finishing the 18th hole. Watson used the press conference not to shine in the accolades of accomplishment but to shed light on the struggle to save his "brother's" life. His words were reverberated by his intense study of medical research on the disease and the need of ALS research "to save the life of my friend and others like him."
In 2003 Watson played in a record nine majors, four
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Tom Watson (left) with Friend and Caddie, Bruce Edwards.
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on the Tour and five on the 50-and-over Championship tour. He reasoned that a win for Edwards would bring more attention to ALS. Edwards caddied him on one of his two senior majors victories, the Tradition in Oregon. Edwards, who was taking over 100 pills daily to combat the disease, was not able to attend Tom's victory at the Senior British Open.
At the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, the final tourney of 2003, Watson and Edwards (who now needed the aid of a golf cart to caddie) would spend
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their last days on the green together. Watson secured a $1 million bonus pool from the Champions tour and promptly pledged the majority to Edward's disease research, the rest to other charities.
In the dusk of the California wine country, Watson, his wife, and Edwards were locked arm in arm on the 18th green, relishing the awards ceremony. As the sun passed into the Pacific, did either of them know these would be their last moments together, doing what they had done since they met in 1973? Except for a short stint as Greg Norman's caddie in the 1980's, Watson was Edwards and Edwards was Watson. A time for joy, a time for cheers, a time of quiet reflection.
On April 7th, the eve of the Masters, the Golf Writers Association of America presented Edwards the Ben Hogan Award
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for maintaining an active role in the game despite his illness. Edwards passed away the next morning at the age of 49.
Watson marched on, recording a 76 but without his "brother." Edwards always carried a yardage book for Tom. Today it was in Tom's back pocket. "He was with me out there."
Mathews left Aaron in 1966, Montana left Rice in 1992, and Edwards left Watson in 2004. Time marches on, as does Watson. He marches to a different beat now, more approachable and exuberant, while he wages war on a ageless enemy, ALS.
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