Obituary of Eldridge Lee Miles

Eldridge Lee Miles "The Big E" known for his long drives August 7, 1933- August 23, 2019

"You have to GIVE before you can RECEIVE" - Eldridge always said.

On August 23, 2019, Eldridge was reunited with his favorite golf foursome of Ben Hogan, E. Grant Fitts, Gary Laughlin and himself on the heavenly golf course. Eldridge was a True Legend.

He was a PGA Member for over half a century. He forged close friendships with the likes of Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, Lee Trevino, Arnold Palmer and Roger Cleveland, founder of Cleveland Golf. A renowned instructor, Eldridge gave golf lessons/life thoughts to Hank Aaron, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Roger Staubach, Evel Knievel, Tom Landry, Robert Dedman Sr, Pat Summerall, Ernie Banks, Darrell Royal, Charlie Pride, Lee Roy Jordan, Walt Garrison, Danny Reeves and many others. Along the path of his extraordinary life, Miles rubbed shoulders with Harvey Penick, Pete Dye, Don January, Ben Crenshaw, Tom Kite, Fred Couples and Ray Floyd among many others.

He was a seasoned public speaker and shared many fascinating stories. Each month for five years, he wrote his personal golf stories for DFW Links, see archives in dfwlinks.com.

A career distinction includes: 1967 Elected to membership in the PGA of America, 1961 &1962 Texas Assistant Professional Champion, 1967 & 1968 US Open Contestant, 1970 &1999 National PGA Championship Contestant, 1976 NTPGA Section Champion, 1976 & 1977 NTPGA Metro Chapter Player of the Year, 1978 PGA/Sports Illustrated National Merchandiser of the Years, Private Club Category (Inaugural), 1979 NTPGA Golf Professional of the Year, 1985 & 1987 NTPGA Seniors Champion, 1987 Winner of the Alaskian Senior Open, 1987 Horton Smith Award (Contributions to Golf), 1988 NTPGA Section Merchandiser of the

Year-Private Category (Gleneagles CC), 2013 Inducted-Texas Golf Hall of Fame (Trevino, Wadkins, Crenshaw, Kite, January etc)

Director of Golf at 3 of the most prestigious private clubs in DFW: Dallas Country Club, opened Bent Tree CC, opened Gleneagles CC. In opening both Bent Tree & Gleneagles, Miles was responsible for the sale of literally hundreds of golf membership in N. Dallas. The Membership Director at both clubs figured out very quickly that when Miles was included in the tours, they made a sale. Miles enthusiastically participated in many, many prospective member tours. In his spare time, through the golf management company he started, Golf Texas, he was heavily involved in opening Chase Oaks Golf Club (now called The Courses at Watters Creek, which was voted "Best New Public Course in Texas" in 1987. Miles loved to fish and go metal detecting. Eldridge never met a stranger. He was known throughout the country as the most innovative entrepreneur in golf merchandising. Everyone Miles met he made them feel very special and stayed life long friends. He cared so much for all his staff and assistants golf pros, instrumental in getting 40 of his staff Head Pro jobs throughout the US. Miles came from very humble beginnings, he was born during the Great Depression to homeless parents under a bridge in Ft. Worth Texas to father Eldridge K. Miles and mother Una (Nunn) Miles. When Miles was 5 years old, his family moved into their first home, however, no plumbing, no electricity or running water. He always felt he had a great childhood, felt loved and cared for by his parents. Eldridge is survived by loving wife of 40 years, Kathy Miles, daughter Melissa Callahan, Plano, TX, estranged son, Rodney Miles, step son Jerry W. Hopkins Jr, Richardson TX, step daughter Allison Hopkins Ph.D, Santa Barbara, CA, grandson, Blake Eldridge Owens, step granddaughter, Parker Kathleen Hopkins and brother Jimmy Miles, Garland, and one sister. Miles was predeceased by his infant son, Eldridge L. Miles Jr and three sisters.