Lew Oehmig

Lewis West Oehmig (pronounced EMM-ig; May 11, 1916 – September 25, 2002), was an American amateur golfer from Chattanooga, Tennessee, active in the mid-twentieth century. He is known for his longevity and success in senior-level competition. Over his career he won more than 50 golf tournaments and was inducted into multiple golf halls of fame. In Scotland, Oehmig won the International Seniors Amateur title. He captured the U.S. Senior Amateur title three times. His last victory was at age 69, making him the oldest USGA champion at that time. In Tennessee, Oehmig won eight state golf championships over five decades; the first in 1937 at age 21, and the last in 1974. He played college golf at the University of Virginia. In 1948, after military service, he had promising business opportunities and chose not to play professional golf. Once he reached the age for senior golf competitions, he became a dominant national figure in the sport. He won the Tennessee Golf Association (TGA) Senior Amateur eight times and the state Senior Amateur seven times. In 1977, he was chosen as (non-playing) captain of the U.S. Walker Cup team that defeated Great Britain and Ireland. His achievements earned him the USGA's highest honor, the Bob Jones Award.

Early life Oehmig was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on May 11, 1916; his family soon moved to Chattanooga where he remained all his life. He was the second son of William G. Oehmig Jr. and Ruth Daniel Oehmig. He had three brothers—Dan, Bill, and Von. His home was within walking distance of the Chattanooga Golf and Country Club, and his father encouraged him to take up golf. Oakes taught the traditional golf swing for hickory-shafted clubs, but Oehmig did not like rolling his wrists as Oakes taught.

In high school at Chattanooga's Baylor School, Oehmig played multiple sports, including football, basketball, and golf. As a seventh grader, he won the school golf championship and was team captain every year. participating in combat operations in the Pacific theater, including the Battle of the Coral Sea. Oehmig was below decks in the "ready room" with some of the pilots. Smoke billowed in the main door which was blocked. While many were working on the main door, Oehmig found a hatch in the back, that allowed them to escape. But he made up for lost time by the time he reached senior status. In the early days of the Tennessee Senior Amateur, the eligibility age was only 50. Oehmig took full advantage of this, winning five in a row from 1969 to 1973. Twice in that span, in 1970 and 1971, he also won the state amateur. With the benefit of hindsight, this shows what his game might have been in his younger decades. Southern Golf Association Hall of Fame Chattanooga Area Old Timers Sports Hall of Fame

In 1994, he was awarded the Bob Jones Award, the highest honor bestowed by the USGA.

Legacy Oehmig died at age 86 on September 25, 2002. Over his lifetime, he was repeatedly asked why he did not become a pro golfer. He said, "There just wasn't enough money in professional golf at that time. I was fortunate enough to do well in business early on in life." His life-long friend, golfer Ira Templeton, said, "He was always a real gentleman. I never saw him display his temper. He's an unusual person, really. There's nothing you can say really bad about him." Jeff Boehm, historian at Chattanooga Golf and Country Club: "He had a gentlemanly way about him that you rarely associate with an athlete". Sportswriter Tom King: "Lew Oehmig is the most unpretenious soul who ever crossed my path."