Gail Arlene Davis' Obituary
Gail Davis was born September 20, 1936 in Youngstown, Ohio. She was born into a generation where organized sports for young women were a part of the everyday culture.
The story of Gail’s life is filled with happiness and joy and love and remembrances…a life filled with selflessness and devoted to a divine belief that the love of God would never send her where His grace would not protect her. It is a story that has been carried forward on the wings of angels for over 8-decades of time.
Her love of the game of golf was the result of a life-long friend, Gert Sandusky. Gert was an avid golfer & encouraged Gail to take up the game. At that time, Gail was an x-ray technician at the hospital in Youngstown, Ohio.
During these years, Gail and Gert played softball together in a women’s league. Gail’s father coached the team. During those days, many of the girls were drafted to play on professional teams. Gail was so chosen and had the opportunity to go to Chicago for a try-out.
However, her love for the game of golf was much more enjoyable. She could not wait to play and practice each day. She was so gifted, that she actually taught herself to play and was able to score in the low 80’s.
One day, she told her friend, Gert that she was going to move to California in the summer to become a professional golfer. Gert was teaching school at the time & bobbed her head and said “OK.” Little did she know how serious her dear friend was about this game.
That summer, Gail pulled up in front of Gert’s house with car loaded and honked her horn. Gert came out and asked “Where you going so early?” Gail said “California….you coming?” Gert said “Sure, let me pack a few things.” So off they went.
They ended up in Riverside, California. Gert played golf during that summer and found a teaching job by fall. Gail began working in the steel mills at night so she could pursue her golf game during the day.
Victoria Country Club, a blue-blood club in Riverside, hired Gail to run the driving range during the day. She had settled on going to Harry Pressler who was a revered teaching professional in Palm Springs at that time. Harry had taught some of the greatest; Mickey Wright, Sandra Palmer and Gene Littler.
Once a week for two-years, Gail made the hour or so drive to take a lesson from Harry. Harry sensed immediately the golfing abilities of his new protégé. Harry would lovingly take Gail to do clinics with him wherever he went.
After two-years under his tutelage, Harry told Gail that her swing and skills were ready for the tour. He also told her the mental toughness could not be judged until she actually began to compete.
Harry was a very wise man. He knew Gail had the innate ability to become a first-class teacher. He told her he was certain many people would come to her and start asking questions about the swing.
Harry was right. All thru the night many touring professionals would come to Gail’s hotel door seeking her help and guidance in correcting their swings.
As she toured, she became a wonderful player. During her tenure, Mickey Wright was touted as the longest player on tour. Unbelievably, Gail was longer than Mickey.
Finally, she finished in the top ten in one of her initial tournaments. Jubilant and proud, she called her parents, who were not golfers, to tell them of the good news. They told her not to worry; she would do better next week!
The grind of the tour and swing difficulties of her own, finally caused Gail to leave the professional tour. Her long time teacher, Harry Pressler could not correct her swing problem. As a result, she went to Garland, Texas and sought the help of George Alexander at Eastern Hills Country Club. George could not resolve the problem.
Finally, Gail figured out on her own, she was in a “reverse”. She fixed it. She continued working at the club with George where her teaching reputation began to spread.
At one time, she taught as many at 13 of the women touring professionals and spent all her time off going to tournaments to help her students.
While in California at the former Nabisco Dinah Shore, Gail would spend her afternoons on the practice tee with her students. One day Carol Mann’s husband, Jim Hardy, a golf teacher also, was asked by a man standing next to him who Gail was. Jim told him that is Gail Davis…she is one of three teachers in the nation who can recognize the reverse and fix it.
Gail continued her stellar teaching career in Dallas. She became the second woman head golf professional in the state of Texas and held that position at Eastern Hills Country Club for 13-years.
Two of her students, Pat Bradley and Sandra Haynie were inducted into the LPGA Golf Hall of Fame, one of the most stringent Halls of Fame in the sporting world. An accomplishment no other can attest to.
After retiring, Gail would visit with her long-time friend, Dave Miller, who owns Miller’s Jewelry and Pawn. Dave loved when Gail came to the shop because they had so many friends in common; not to mention a golf lesson was always on the venue. Sometimes Dave would invite a friend to be there so all could get a few “hot tips”.
Gail was humble, kind and unselfish. She shunned the limelight and never took compensation from those talented players.
Throughout her battle with illness, she never lost faith; she never gave up. Her medical care team loved her and revered her. They said they had never seen a human being with a stronger will. All were always ready to get a hot tip from this kind and gentle soul.
Her loss to the golfing world is a huge void; her loss to mankind larger. To those who had the privilege of knowing Gail, it is a loss that cannot be described; it is a void that cannot be filled.
The tears of those whose lives she touched have flooded the streets of Heaven…all who knew her loved and respected her and give testament to the fact that not only did she make them a better person but brought gentleness and humility to the world around her.
What’s your fondest memory of Gail?
What’s a lesson you learned from Gail?
Share a story where Gail's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Gail you’ll never forget.
How did Gail make you smile?