PINEHURST, N.C. --- Aaron Stewart walked onto the 18th green at Pinehurst's No. 2 course Monday and allowed himself a peek at the imposing figure standing near the clubhouse.
Yes, his dad was watching.
The late Payne Stewart still casts a long shadow at Pinehurst -- even beyond the statue just off the 18th of the first U.S. Open champion crowned at No. 2.
Almost exactly a decade after the last pro win of Stewart's career, it's up to his 20-year-old son to carry on that legacy when he plays his first tournament at the famous course, this week's North and South Amateur.
"A lot of people talk about, 'It's been 10 years,' (and) if this is going to be particularly hard because it's been 10 years," Aaron Stewart said. "Anybody that's lost someone who has been such a big part of their lives, you think about that person every day. So it's not like 10 years is going to be any different than seven years or something like that. It's still going to be another day when you're thinking about him."
Aaron, who's entering his redshirt sophomore season at SMU, is making a rare trip to the course in south-central North Carolina where his father's second U.S. Open title came four months before his death in an airplane accident.
Aaron, 10 at that time, didn't develop a serious interest in golf until he was in high school and visited Pinehurst last month for the first time since the statue was dedicated in 2001. He played 18 holes at No. 2 for the first time Monday.
"Our family has always thought very highly of the people here and Pinehurst overall, so when I found out about the North and South, I thought if I could get in, it'd be a lot of fun to play," he said.
Aaron's caddie, Mike Hicks, carried the clubs for his father during his win in the 1999 Open. Aaron brought his father's yardage book from that tournament.
"The mannerisms and the way he conducts himself -- there's a few things that remind me a lot of his dad," Hicks said.
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Best of luck to AAron. His dad was an exciting athlete and a genuinely good person. Nothing could be better for golf than for Aaron to compete at the level his father played.
Everyone is rooting for you!!
AAron. This article makes me happy to know that you are wearing the shoes of your father. He was and still is my most favorite golfer. Watched him play in the Masters in person and over and over on TV. I was always glued to him with his neat outfits and touching actions. He was not the only great one as you and the rest of your family certainly have picked up and followed in his foot steps. You're right about the 10 year thing. I lost my wife to cancer 6 years ago and I think of her daily. God Bless you and the family and best of luck in your future golf goals.
go get em Aaron!
This was a good story.Best of luck Aaron.