OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. – On the same day Augusta National chairman Billy Payne stepped down, his partner in the club’s annual Jamboree died.
Robert Chapman III, chairman, CEO and treasurer of Inman Mills in Spartanburg County, S.C., died on Wednesday. He was 66.
According to Goupstate.com, Chapman died at 3:20 p.m. at Spartanburg Medical Center, but no other details were provided.
“I don’t think I hit a shot out there today that I didn’t think about him,” said William McGirt following his round at The Northern Trust. “He was one of the best people I’ve met, inside golf, outside golf, it didn’t matter. He was one of the best people you could run across in your entire life.”
In 2015, Payne was asked about Chapman and his play at the Jamboree, which is held in late March at Augusta National.
“Yeah, I love him, so yes, Rob Chapman. He didn’t play that well in the Jamboree,” Payne joked.
Chapman was also active in the community, serving on multiple boards through the years, including the YMCA of Greater Spartanburg and the Spartanburg County Foundation.
“Their family foundation, they have an art center in town named after them, they do so much,” McGirt said. “I’m on the foundation of a golf tournament named after his dad, and he was so proud of that tournament.”
Source: Internet
