Floyd Addington

[50's PONY]

GOLF MISSES LEGEND




By: Phil Hicks, Sports Editor July 06, 2004





Phil Hicks


The golfing world and Lon Morris College lost a friend when coach Floyd Addington died last week.

The recently retired Lon Morris head golf coach, professor and former SMU golfer passed away Thursday after a long illness. He was honored with a memorial service Monday in Jacksonville.

"Floyd Addington was a wonderful friend, excellent instructor and an outstanding golf coach," said Dr. Clifford Lee, president of Lon Morris. "His presence on the Lon Morris College campus made it a better place. He was very dedicated to his team members and students on campus.


"I once said when he was appointed head golf coach that he was really a golfing legend based on his accomplishments as a player. Now, I can say he is a golfing legend based on his accomplishments as a player, coach and educator. He will be missed."

Addington was one of the top amateur golfers in Texas, both in high school and college. He was a member of the Houston Lamar state championship team in 1949 before moving to Highland Park. He helped the Scots win team titles in 1950-51 before graduating.

From there it was off to Southern Methodist, where the Mustangs had three of the best years in the history of their golf program.

He was instrumental in SMU winning the NCAA championship in 1954, when the tournament was held in Houston. The Mustangs won by a stroke over North Texas.

The longtime golfing great helped SMU win the Southwest Conference championship in 1953 and 1955. He won SWC medalist honors in 1953.

Addington also made it to the round of 16 at the U.S. Amateur in 1953 (when Gene Littler was winner) and 1954 (when Arnold Palmer won the title).

He continued to play golf at a high level and competed in numerous amateur and professional events. For years, he took part in the Azalea Invitational at Hollytree Country Club, one of the top amateur tournaments in Texas.

After 25 years of practicing law in Jasper, he began a teaching career at Lee College in Baytown and Angelina College in Lufkin before moving to Jacksonville and Lon Morris in 1994. At Lon Morris, he taught business law, government and criminal justice.

In 1996, Addington received Lon Morris' most prestigious honor, The President's Award. He was honored again in 2004 with the award.

Addington added the term "coach" to the front of his name when he was appointed Bearcats golf coach in 2001. In his first year, he was voted Region XIV Coach of the Year and his team won the Region XIV Tournament. The squad competed in the NJCAA National Tournament that season as well as in 2003.

He started the women's golf program in 2003-04 and the Lady Bearcats claimed second in Region XIV and earned a berth in the national tournament.

Memorial donations may be made to the "Floyd Addington Golf Scholarship" at Lon Morris College, 800 College Ave., Jacksonville, 75766.



Phil Hicks is Sports editor. He can be reached at 903.596.6275. e-mail: sports@tylerpaper.com




©Tyler Morning Telegraph 2004