As the coach of the men’s and women’s golf teams at Southern Methodist University, Earl Stewart brought vast experiences to the role of mentor.

Stewart won many championships before becoming a coach. The first was the Texas High School Boys title, which he captured twice in 1937 and 1938.

While attending LSU, Stewart won the NCAA individual title in 1941 and led the Tigers to first place team honors in 1942. From 1951 to 1953, Stewart played on the PGA Tour and won three times. He was among the top 20 money winners all three years. After leaving the Tour, Stewart became head professional at Dallas’ Oak Cliff Country Club. Among his star pupils was Mickey Wright, who he coached for seven years. Earl served as the first President of the Northern Texas PGA.

In 1961, Stewart became the first and only host professional in history to win a Tour event on his home course when he beat Arnold Palmer and Gay Brewer to capture the Dallas Open Championship. Until his death in 1990, Stewart coached the collegiate teams at SMU, starting the women’s program in 1975. Among the many standout performers on Stewart’s Mustang rosters were Kyle O’Brien (NCAA individual champion in 1979), Amy Benz (NCAA individual champion in 1982) and in 1991, U.S. Open Champion, Payne Stewart.

In 1987, he was inducted into the National Golf Coaches Association Coaches Hall of Fame for his role as a women's collegiate golf coach at SMU.

Birthplace: Dallas, Texas

Born: October 15, 1921

Died: July 11, 1990