National chairman was a great man

I came to the Augusta National Golf Club during the spring of 1964 as a waiter from Myrtle Beach, S.C. I became maitre d' in 1967, and left the club after the 1972 Masters. It was during this period that I met and served and got to know Jack Stephens, who became Augusta National's chairman in 1991.

All of us in the service department, to include the caddies, knew Mr. Stephens for the way he treated us. During the period when the club was closed, Mr. Stephens made it possible for many of the caddies and others to get employment in Little Rock, Ark. In 1968, I hired Cephus (Cy) Young, who subsequently became Mr. Stephens' personal waiter and assistant to his aides when he was at the club and in Arkansas. During my return to Augusta, since I left the club, I would hear of the kindness he showed to the service employees.

I last saw Mr. Stephens in 2003, in Graniteville at Sage Valley Golf Club (where I worked as maitre d'), which was owned by Weldon Wyatt, whom Cy also worked for. Mr. Wyatt, like Mr. Stephens, is also known for the way he treats his employees. You can ask any employee or caddie who worked at the Augusta National: Carl Jackson, Edwards, Willie, Hop, Hash, Bass, Pee Wee, Johnny Franks, Cy and many others, and they will tell you about the kindness of this man. ...

Throughout history, great men were known in the way in which their employees were treated. The two men I mention here are exceptions to the rule. When I reflect on the life and passing of this man, I'm forever grateful that the Great God of Jacob allowed me to cross paths with a man like Jackson Stephens.

The Rev. Dr. Wesley G. Ellis

Hephzibah

(Editor's note: Mr. Stephens died July 23, just days before his 82nd birthday.)