Texas Archive

 Here's a link to a good video about Bruce Lietzke from yesteryear (1980).

Texas Archive

Sadly, Bruce Lietzke recently lost his battle with cancer.  We can be grateful for the legacy he leaves behind as an outstanding golfer and even better person, family man, and witness to the Christian faith.

Here's a copy of his obituary:

Bruce Alan Lietzke

July 18, 1951 - July 28, 2018 

Surrounded by his family, Bruce went to be with his Lord on July 28th, 2018, after a courageous battle with glioblastoma. Born July 18, 1951 in Kansas City, Kansas, and raised in Beaumont, Texas, he attended The University of Houston, playing on the golf team before joining The PGA Tour in 1975. He won thirteen tournaments, seven on The PGA Champions Tour, including one major, The Senior Open in 2003. Bruce was known for his consistent fade and the fact that he never practiced. 

Easygoing, thoughtful, introspective, articulate and witty, Bruce was a gentleman's gentleman and was loved by all. He enjoyed working on his car collection and fishing in the lakes on his ranch. Faith, family and friends played an important part throughout his life. He cut the number of tournaments played when his children arrived, choosing fatherhood over golf. In the past six years he has thoroughly enjoyed his role as "Papa Leaky." 

Bruce is preceded in death by his parents, Norman D. and Elizabeth Jane (Alley) Lietzke, and brother, Brian Robert Lietzke. He is survived by the love of his life, Rosemarie Nelson Lietzke; son, Stephen Lietzke; daughter, Christine Ablondi and husband, Aaron; two grandchildren: Luke Aaron and Elizabeth Rose Ablondi; brother, Duane Lietzke and wife, Christine; sister-in-law, Kathy Lietzke; two sisters: Marilyn O'Grady and Martha Thompson. His in-laws include: Diane & Charlie Gould, Soozi & Jerry Pate, Greg Nelson, Leo & Melissa Nelson, along with many nieces and nephews. 

Service and reception will be 11:00 a.m., August 6, 2018, at The First Baptist Church of Athens, 105 Carroll Street, Athens, Texas 75751. Arrangements by Autry's Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home in Athens, Texas. 

In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Glioblastoma Foundation, POB 62066,Durham, NC 27715 or email: info@glioblastomafoundation.org.

#GetWellBL 

Bruce Lietzke recently wrote to journalist Bob West (see link above) the following:

“On Thursday morning I was given a diagnosis that I have a brain tumor of substantial size. I am already in a hospital in Dallas and I have a surgery scheduled Monday at 7 a.m…. Please tell your readers that I am a man of faith. I believe that God doesn’t always answer all prayers that come his way, and the ones that he answers don’t always have the results we want. But I do believe he hears all of the prayers. I do know that Jesus has lived in my heart since 1976 and I will draw from his strength and spirit to lead the way in this fight. Please ask your readers to pray for me, possibly for an extended period of time.”

Bruce Lietzke is a fine example of the Christian faith and message making a difference in a person's life.

Has Bruce Lietzke Retired?

Question: A nagging shoulder injury limited you to only three events during the 2011 Champions Tour season. You have yet to tee off in an official event in the three seasons since then. Are you officially retired from professional golf?

Answer:  I am officially retired from the game until I decide to get my shoulder cleaned up. It's not really an injury. It is an arthritic shoulder. It doesn't bother me any other time other than making a whole bunch of golf swings. I can play golf for one day, but the next day the shoulder is really sore. My tournament golf is over until I decide to get it worked on.

Source: Beaumont Texas Newspaper (June 17, 2014)

Golfworld's Best Modern Golfers Ranking:

Link

"The average guy, truth be known, hits more balls in a week than Bruce hits in a year," Duane [Bruce Lietzke's brother] said.

Why Playing a Fade May Help Your Golf Game

Here’s an excerpt from Hitting a Fade May Help Your Golf Game by Ken Ruggiero.

“Here’s why [a fade gives you more room for error]. If you can hit a driver straight down the middle into a fairway that is 40 yards wide, you create a room for error of 20 yards on either side of center.

However, if you can hit a fade a shot with consistency, then you can hit your tee ball down the left side of the fairway, knowing that your ball will be curving towards the center. You have in effect doubled the margin of error on the fairway by eliminating misses to the left.

You could do the same with a draw, but a draw is more difficult to contain because it tends to run out further. A fade generally moves from left to right and gently lands without much topspin. It’s more controllable.”