In Memorium

John Stephen Spray - May 15, 2020

As the head professional at St. Louis Country Club for more than 30 years, Steve Spray was the epitomy of class and dignity. Before that, and before being hampered by injuries, he was a prominent player as both an amateur and professional, a resume that included his victory in the 1969 PGA Tour San Francisco Open. Spray passed away in Chesterfield, Mo. on May 15. Spray was born in Des Moines, IA and grew up in Indianola, IA. He played college golf at the University of Iowa and then Eastern New Mexico University, where he won the NAIA Championship in 1962 and ‘63. He then spent several years pursuing a career on the PGA Tour. In 1967, he missed a 40-foot birdie putt on the 92nd green and finished second at the Sahara Invitational in Las Vegas, one stroke behind Jack Nicklaus. In 1968, he tied for fifth at the U.S. Open at Oak Hill Country Club, won by Lee Trevino. “You know, I had some good finishes on the Tour and I was in the top 70 or so for a few years,” Spray said years later. “But I never was able to reach the top 10 or 20. In those days, that was the only way you could make a decent amount of money. “I was a journeyman. Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer had to have someone to beat, and I was one of those guys.” He also was a guy with a slew of injuries. A tendinitis problem in the left thumb forced him to change his grip and back surgery in 1974 slowed him further. In 1976, Spray gave up the touring pro dream to accept the job offer from SLCC. Always pragmatic about his PGA Tour experience, Spray never regretted the decision. “I had a wife and two kids, so when the club job came along, it wasn’t hard to say “yes,” Spray said years later. His humility notwithstanding, Spray was bit more than “a journeyman” at the ‘69 San Francisco Open at Harding Park, site of this year’s PGA Championship. During the third round, he poured in five brdies on the back nine to card a 30 and tie the course record of 5-under 66. In the final round, he protected the lead with 17 straight pars, then drained a 6-foot putt to birdie the 18th and edge the flamboyant Chi-Chi Rodriguez by a stroke. First place paid a much-needed $20,000. In subsequent years, Spray had some starts in PGA Tour Champions events, but never considered giving up his career at SLCC to again try playing full-time. “I don’t play as much as I once did,” he said in an interview before retiring from SLCC in 2012, “but I enjoy playing with the members, being with them.” Steve had several other wins, including the 1964 Iowa Open, the ’73 New Mexico Open and ‘73 Arisona Open. During his 37 years as a head pro in St. Louis, he won the Gateway Section PGA Championship in 1977 and ‘79. In 1984, he was named the Gateway Section PGA Player of the Year. Spray and his daughter Stephanie also operated Normandie Golf from 1990-94. In 2009, he was was inducted into the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame. Steve Spray’s life, however, was not just about golf. He is survived by his daughter, Stephanie Spray (and her husband John Stiehr); his son, John Spray Jr. and his sister, Mary Moorman. He was a beloved father, grandfather, uncle, friend and mentor to many. And he will be missed Steve Spray reacts to his birdie as one of the most respected figures in the St. Louis golf community. putt to win the 1969 San Francisco Open.