Golfing Hall of Famer Tommy "Thunder" Bolt, dead at 92

by Tina Kells | September 3, 2008 at 09:09 am

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1958 U.S. Open champion Tommy Bolt has died of liver failure at age 92. Known for his quick temper on the green, Bolt was nicknamed "Terrible Tempered Tommy" and was a scandalous player in his day.

His wife, Mary Lou Bolt, said he died Saturday after "his liver shut down."

"He was the best man I ever knew," she said Wednesday.

Bolt, who was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2002 in the veteran's category, won 15 PGA events and several more titles on the seniors tour. Yet his temper gained him the most notoriety

Bolt was frequently fined by the PGA for breaking his clubs and using foul language; he even set up a special fund with his winnings to pay the fines. His behaviour often saw him suspended from PGA tours.

"I've busted a few clubs in my time," Bolt recalled after retiring from the Tour. "I think it's all right for a man to break his golf clubs, every one in the bag if he wants to. They're his clubs. He's the one to suffer.

"As for throwing clubs, that's something else. That could be dangerous."

Bolt joined the PGA Tour in 1950 and won his first title in 1951. In 1955 Bolt was a shining star on the circuit, winning four tournaments. In 1958 he caused a stir when he beat Gary Player, the PGA favourite that year, in the U.S. Open. He won his last PGA title in 1961.

The World War II veteran is survived by his wife, Mary Lou, and son, Thomas Walker Bolt.

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