Saying Goodbye to CGA Friend and Champion, Larry Beck

6/7/2019 1:41:00 PM

It's with a very heavy heart that we say "goodbye" to Carolinas Golf Association friend, supporter and champion, Larry Beck. Among Beck's many accomplishments as an amateur golfer include winning the 1957 U.S. Junior Amateur and the CGA's flagship event, the 1960 Carolinas Amateur Championship. Beck also won the Carolinas Junior Boys' Championship in '55, '56 and '57.

As a professional, he competed in the 1964 U.S. Open where he finished tied for 39th and in the 1966 PGA Championship where he finished tied for 72nd.

Larry Eugene Beck, Sr., 79, of Sanford, N.C. passed away on June 3, 2019. He lived with his wife Ellen in Carolina Trace Lake & Golf Resort. He was a retired Golf Professional who was born in Randolph County on August 12, 1939. His eternal resting place is in the Forest Hills Memorial Park Mausoleum in Lexington, N.C. near his parents Avery and Evelyn Barton Beck and his sister Anita J. Beck.

He attended Olde Town and Clemmons Elementary Schools in the Winston-Salem area. He is a 1957 graduate of Grainger High School in Kinston where he will be forever remebered for his tremendous golf career. Larry attended Wake Forest and the University of Houston on golf scholarships. He was awarded an Associate of Arts degree from Campbell University. He also served proudly in the U.S. Army Reserve.

With father Avery, at Whispering Pines Golf Club he was on the course teaching junior youngsters in organized groups how to play golf. He managed the Knollwood driving range and played Pinehurst courses; his favorite was No. 2.

He won the Championship of Golf Club Champions at Ponce de Leon in 1961, setting a new course record of 63 and numerous amateur tournaments during his years with the greats of the era. A Life Member of the PGA, he is also an honoree in the USGA Falls Hills, NJ Museum. He donated his USGA U.S. Junior Amateur trophy to the CGA for placement in our Hall of History.

His successes are honored with his name engraved on other trophies housed at the CGA. His history and experiences are endless. His teaching was unique and has encouraged thousands. A chipping green on the Beck estate was very popular in Lexington, his home place.

His happiness was to see others enjoy the game of golf and to be comfortable with their own style in doing so. It was his desire to be remembered for his love of golf, of people, his cheerful helpful spirit, laid back fun-loving good nature.

Larry is survived by his wife Ellen M. Mood, his son Larry E. Beck Jr. of Lexington, niece Amy Burgoyne (Wm.), grand niece and nephews Ann, Will and Jack of Richmond, VA; Ellen's children Dawn Espy of Milford, Ohio, Angela G. Miller (Gregory) of Raleigh, Rodney E. Mood (Stephanie) of Cary and their families of grandchildren; Zachary E. Scott, Griffin and Rory Miller, Evan, Wesley and Nolan Mood.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, June 15 at 12:30 PM at the Forest Hill Memorial Park Chapel in Lexington. A funeral service will follow immediately at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Larry's memory to the Carolinas PGA, the American Heart Association or any charity of your choice.

Davie Funeral Service of Mocksville is honored to serve the family. Online condolences may be left at www.daviefuneralservice.com/.

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