WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Larry Bush, who covered golf in Palm Beach County for more than six decades, died in his sleep Thursday night. He was 87.
The longtime West Palm Beach resident started working for the Palm Peach Post Times in 1958. Bush also worked for newspapers in Tampa, Fort Pierce and Cocoa before becoming a freelance writer in 1981.
If there was a local golf tournament in the county, Bush was invariably there covering it. His knowledge, history and perspective of the game made him a favorite among golfers, from legends such as Jack Nicklaus to the average amateur or PGA Professional.
“Larry Bush was a staple in the South Florida golf community for more than 60 years,” Nicklaus said. “What I respected so much about Larry was his love of and commitment to local golf. If it involved golf and it was happening in this area, Larry not only knew about it, but he wrote about it.
Longtime golf writer Larry Bush.
“Larry was a history book when it came to the game of golf, but with his love for juniors, the amateur game, and grassroots programs, he was always looking to write the next chapter in the story of golf in South Florida. Larry Bush will be greatly missed, and Barbara and I send our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to his wife Meredith, and daughters Elizabeth and Linda.”
Even as Bush suffered health issues the last few years, he was determined to keep covering the sport locally. If he wasn’t working, Bush would still show up at events to reconnect with friends and stay involved.
“Despite ‘retiring’ years ago, he never stopped working,” said Nick Pugliese, The Palm Beach Post’s sports editor. “Just two days ago, The Post received an e-mail from Larry about a local golf tournament. I’ll miss seeing him at Honda this week.”
Bush spent the last 30 years working as a freelancer for the PGA of America and the South Florida PGA among others, bringing attention to local events and players that would otherwise be overlooked.
“Golf was his love,” said Bob Koepka, father of four-time major champion Brooks as well as Chase. “He enjoyed watching the kids he covered grow up and have success. He was as excited about interviewing them after a win as we were to have him interview them.”
In recent years, many local golfers would end their round after a tournament and ask, “Where’s Larry?” if he wasn’t there. That’s the kind of impact he had on the local golf scene.
“He was so important to the history of our section and was the trusted voice telling the stories of the great play of PGA Professionals for decades,” said Geoff Lofstead, executive director of the South Florida PGA.
Honda Classic executive director Ken Kennerly echoed that sentiment. “Larry was a true pillar of excellence for the game and his professionalism was second to none,” Kennerly said. “He will be sorely missed, not only as a great writer but as a gentleman.”
Bush was inducted into the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame in 2000. He served the Hall of Fame in many roles during the last 45 years, most of them on a volunteer basis.
He twice won the John Hervey Award (1975, ’84) for the U.S. Harness Writers Association and was a two-time winner (1991, 1993) for top columnist in the Florida Press Association.
Bush was born Dec. 5, 1933, in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Academy High School in Erie, Pennsylvania, he served two years in the U.S. Army.
Bush is survived by his wife, Meredith, and daughters Elizabeth Bush and Linda Bush. Funeral arrangements are pending.