Sam Hall, former Southern Miss golf player, coach, passes away

(The following photos and press release were submitted from Southern Miss.)

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Some people were just born to play golf.

Sam Hall, who lettered four years for the Southern Miss men’s golf program and later went on to have two stints as its head coach, was one of those individuals. He passed away Sunday at the age of 86.

The Hattiesburg, Miss., native was a naturally gifted athlete from an early age. To this day, Hall is the only athlete in Hattiesburg High School history to letter in every sport that was offered.

Following high school, Hall attended Southern Miss where he lettered from 1955-58 and played No.1 on the golf team for four years. He went on to serve as the Southern Miss Men’s Golf Coach from 1969-70 and again from 1990-2000. In addition, Hall also ran the Southern Miss Women’s Golf program from 1992-97.

“Coach Hall is a legend in our university and our golf programs,” said Southern Miss men’s golf coach Eddie Brescher. “He is a man that touched the lives of so many people on and off the golf course. Personally, my family and I are indebted to Coach Hall for paving the way for Southern Miss Golf.

“To have the Hall name associated with our university and our golf programs is something we will forever honor. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hall Family during this difficult time.”

In his amateur golfing career, Hall won over 300 amateur golf championships spanning over five decades. Hall was a seven-time Mississippi Senior Amateur Champion and a Grand Masters champion in 2004-2005. Hall competed in the Magnolia Classic on the PGA Tour 10 times and made the cut twice.

He also competed in seven U.S. Senior Open Championships. Hall served as the President of the Mississippi Golf Association in 1984 and created a prestigious collegiate tournament, which to this day is named in his honor. Hall was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.

Early next year, the Mississippi Golf Association and Golf Hall of Fame will induct him as part of its class of 2020.

He was born on November 27, 1933.