Eddie Merrins Cause of Death

In a remarkable testament to its stability, Bel Air, inaugurated in 1925, has witnessed only three head golf professionals in its storied history: Joe Novak, Eddie Merrins, and now Dave Podas.

Inducted into the PGA Hall of Fame in 2009, Merrins orchestrated the historic meeting between Jack Nicklaus and a 15-year-old Tiger Woods. His coaching prowess led UCLA to the 1988 men’s NCAA championship, and his influential instruction book, “Swing the Handle, Not the Clubhead,” first published in 1973, remains a cornerstone in golf literature.

Over the years, Merrins instructed a notable array of students, including Robert Wagner, Glenn Frey, Jerry West, Dennis Quaid, James Woods, Jimmy Connors, Craig T. Nelson, Marcus Allen, Jerry Rice, Robert Goulet, and Pete Sampras.

Reflecting on the unique characteristics of golfers, actors, and entertainers, Merrins shared insights with Golf Digest in 2010. He noted their perpetual dissatisfaction with their games and the tendency to discuss the shots they left on the course. Merrins highlighted the individual quests for improvement, from Fred Astaire’s pursuit of more distance to Sean Connery’s “vanity check” in the mirror. Each student, whether Jack Nicholson, Hugh Grant, or Celine Dion, exemplified the perfectionist nature inherent in entertainers.

Born on August 4, 1932, in Meridian, Mississippi, Martin Edward Merrins, the elder of two siblings, grew up under the influence of his father Edward, a New Yorker working as a lumber broker, and his mother Carrie. Despite his mother’s aspirations for him to take piano and dance lessons, Merrins humorously noted his aversion to such pursuits in his 2006 book, “Playing a Round With The Little Pro: A Life in the Game.”

Eddie Merrins, affectionately known as “The Little Pro,” graced the Bel-Air Country Club with his gentlemanly presence. He imparted his golf wisdom to luminaries such as Bing Crosby, Ringo Starr, George C. Scott, Dean Martin, Celine Dion, and Jack Nicholson. The golf world bid farewell to this legendary figure as he passed away on Wednesday at the age of 91, leaving behind a legacy that transcends generations.