BY AAGD STAFF
Eddie Smith Jr. was among the first caddies hired at Rogers Park Golf Course when the then-segregated golf course for African Americans opened in 1952. He was also among those who labored to help build the Tampa, Fla. course and then went on to instruct golfers, young and old, who came in droves to get a lesson from him. Passionate about the game, Smith’s son, Reginald, told the TampaBay.com that his father loved the game so much that he slept with a club. Eddie was diagnosed in December with stage 4 pancreatic cancer and lost his battle to the disease on Sunday, February 23, 2020.
The 76-year-old avid player spoke with this publication only a few weeks ago and he told us, in a decisive tone, that he wanted to do things his way and that he had refused chemotherapy treatments. Eddie’s voice was strong albeit a little raspy, as he said he was just coming off the driving range. Rather than spending his time in a medical facility, he had made the decision to spend his time hitting as many balls on the Rogers Park Golf Course as he possibly could. According to the TampaBayTimes, golfing buddy Lehman Hood said Eddie checked into Brandon Regional Hospital for the last time about 10 days ago, having been on the course ridding, sharing the cart together, shooting the breeze just the day before. “he did not have the strength to play,” said Hood.
Eddie leaves to cherish his memory five sisters, five brothers, two daughters, and one son. Service arrangements are being planned.
Rest in peace Eddie “Zip” Smith.
