Michigan Golf Hall of Famer Babbish Passes

I just received this press release from the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame:

(Dexter , Mich. ) Sadly the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame notes the passing of Bob Babbish who was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1989. On January 24, Babbish died in hospice care in Florida with his wife, Del and children Byron and Happy at his side.

“Bob was one of the classiest guys around,” Hall member Glenn Johnson said. “He was an all-around player, long hitting and had all the shots.”

Babbish won many tournaments, including the 1935 Michigan Amateur and his top victory was the Western Amateur. He’s the only Michigan player to ever win perhaps the most rigorous test in amateur golf. He won the year after legendary Michigan amateur Chuck Kocsis was defeated in the Western final.