A fine man and special friend, Daniel Ross, 84, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012 at his home in Pinehurst, after a long illness.
A private family service will be held at Boles Funeral Home.
He was born in Long Branch, N.J., where he excelled in four sports in high school. He started caddying at the age of 11 to earn extra money for his family. By the age of 13 he had won the club caddie championship, of which he was very proud.
He was later in the Korean War, and after the war he managed a department store in California, but had always had a dream and desire to be a golf professional. When he decided it was that time, he called a golf pro friend in Pennsylvania and was hired as an assistant. He became a Class A PGA Professional and spent the rest of his working life in that career. He excelled at teaching and was sought after by the LPGA players who made stops to seek him out for lessons and “tweaking” their swings when they were in the Philadelphia area. He worked as a pro in both Pennsylvania and Florida.
He retired to Pinehurst and remained involved in golf by being a ranger on Pinehurst No. 6 for 18 years. He was a mentor to many of the young assistant pros who passed through No. 6, sharing his golf and life experiences with them. His gentle nature and gentlemanly ways made him well-liked by all who knew him. He loved being a ranger and always said that heaven had nothing to offer him because he had it here in Pinehurst.
He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Charmaine Ross; and three stepdaughters, Karen J. McKinney, Michele L. McKinney and Sharon Lee Wack.
Dan was very instrumental in helping women achieve status within private golf clubs wherever he worked, and was a great promoter of women in the sport. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Dan’s memory to The First Tee of the Sandhills, 295 Pinehurst Ave., Suite 1A, Southern Pines, NC 28387, and will be used for the “Just For Girls” programs to continue his legacy.
Online condolences may be made at www.boles
funeralhome.com.
Boles Funeral Home is assisting the family.
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