Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Mourn Passing of Manuel de la Torre
4/26/2016 3:36:00 PM | Men's Golf
EVANSTON, Ill. – Manuel de la Torre, a legendary figure for Northwestern Athletics, died on April 24 at the age of 94.
"The golf world lost an incredible ambassador," said Director of Golf and Player Development Pat Goss. "Manuel was an instrumental force for Northwestern and has deep roots within our program. He touched many lives through golf, and has been an inspiration for all of us in the teaching business. His love, passion and knowledge of the game is certainly unmatched, and his legacy will continue to shine through the sport."
As a sophomore in 1942, de la Torre earned Big Ten honors as a member of Northwestern's golf team. That year, he finished second at the NCAA Championships in South Bend, Ind., advancing to the finals of match play.
De la Torre also led the Wildcats to a second-place finish in the NCAA team competition, NU's highest finish in school history. Following the tournament, de la Torre entered the Army and spent the following few years in an anti-aircraft battery that participated in the Normandy invasion and fought through Germany and France.
Upon returning to Northwestern three and a half years later, de la Torre captained the team in 1946 and 1947. De la Torre's professional career included wins at the Wisconsin State Open in 1952, 1953 and 1955, and he remained involved with the Professional Golf Association until the mid-1990s.
In 1986, he was awarded the first national PGA Teacher of the Year Award. Golf Magazine has recognized him as one of its top 100 teachers in America, and in 2007 was awarded emeritus status. In 2005, he became just the 12th member of the World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame.
De la Torre is also a member of the Northwestern University Athletic Hall of Fame and the Wisconsin Golf Hall of Fame.
He is survived by his daughter, Lynn; daughter-in-law Karie Anderson; grandson, Ryan Gill; granddaughters Carrie Gill, Jamie Gill and Stephanie Junker; and great grandchildren, Bryanna, Caleb and Addison.
A memorial for de la Torre is scheduled for May 14 at Milwaukee Country Club.
"The golf world lost an incredible ambassador," said Director of Golf and Player Development Pat Goss. "Manuel was an instrumental force for Northwestern and has deep roots within our program. He touched many lives through golf, and has been an inspiration for all of us in the teaching business. His love, passion and knowledge of the game is certainly unmatched, and his legacy will continue to shine through the sport."
As a sophomore in 1942, de la Torre earned Big Ten honors as a member of Northwestern's golf team. That year, he finished second at the NCAA Championships in South Bend, Ind., advancing to the finals of match play.
De la Torre also led the Wildcats to a second-place finish in the NCAA team competition, NU's highest finish in school history. Following the tournament, de la Torre entered the Army and spent the following few years in an anti-aircraft battery that participated in the Normandy invasion and fought through Germany and France.
Upon returning to Northwestern three and a half years later, de la Torre captained the team in 1946 and 1947. De la Torre's professional career included wins at the Wisconsin State Open in 1952, 1953 and 1955, and he remained involved with the Professional Golf Association until the mid-1990s.
In 1986, he was awarded the first national PGA Teacher of the Year Award. Golf Magazine has recognized him as one of its top 100 teachers in America, and in 2007 was awarded emeritus status. In 2005, he became just the 12th member of the World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame.
De la Torre is also a member of the Northwestern University Athletic Hall of Fame and the Wisconsin Golf Hall of Fame.
He is survived by his daughter, Lynn; daughter-in-law Karie Anderson; grandson, Ryan Gill; granddaughters Carrie Gill, Jamie Gill and Stephanie Junker; and great grandchildren, Bryanna, Caleb and Addison.
A memorial for de la Torre is scheduled for May 14 at Milwaukee Country Club.
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