Old Chatham Golf Club Member Dr. Dick Coop to Speak in Bob Jones Award Ceremony at U.S. Open

Renowned Mental Game Coach and Payne Stewart Mentor to Offer Remarks June 10 in Pinehurst 

(DURHAM, N.C.) – Old Chatham Golf Club, a prestigious golf club based in North Carolina’s Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill-Triangle area, is proud to have renowned mental game coach and Old Chatham Member Dr. Dick Coop speak as part of the 2014 Bob Jones Award presentation Tuesday, June 10 at the U.S. Open in Pinehurst, N.C. Dr. Coop will offer remarks on the late Payne Stewart on behalf of the latter posthumously receiving the Bob Jones Award from the U.S. Golf Association at Pinehurst Resort.

The Bob Jones Award, presented annually since 1955, is the USGA’s top accolade. It acknowledges individuals who demonstrate, according to the organization, “the spirit, personal character and respect for the game exhibited by” golf icon Bobby Jones, founder of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament. Davis Love III is the most recent recipient of the award, and past winners include Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Ben Hogan.

Payne Stewart, the 2014 Bob Jones Award recipient, won 11 professional events, including three majors, during his career. Known both for his passion for the game and flamboyant attire, Payne Stewart made North Carolina golf history with his dramatic win at the 1999 Open in Pinehurst. He died in an airplane crash later that year at the age of 42. Payne Stewart’s family will be on hand as part of the recognition ceremony.

“I’m very pleased to have helped Payne develop and grow as an athlete and person,” said Dr. Dick Coop.

A professor emeritus of educational psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Dr. Coop served as Payne Stewart’s mental game coach for 13 years and has worked with a number of professional golfers on the PGA, Senior PGA and LPGA tours. He continues to consult for the PGA and regularly lectures on golf’s mental game.

Events surrounding the 2014 U.S. Open begin today, with men’s championship play kicking off June 12.

For more information, visit www.oldchathamgolf.org.