He shared his passion for golf, college football
DAN JENKINS, Fort Worth/Dallas sports columnist, author of numerous books, including “Dead Solid Perfect,” “Semi-Tough,” and “You Gotta Play Hurt.”
Furman was one of my typewriter idols long before he became a good friend. The most flattering thing I used to say about his work was, “He’s the Red Smith of the South.”
Nobody ever worked harder at his craft and loved doing it more than Furman. I do believe that in the era of post-World War II sportswriting he has written better over a longer period of time than any other member of our lodge.
I am happy to reflect on the fact that we always shared a passion for golf and college football — and, needless to say, a sense of humor.
A true giant is making his exit. Now if he would only give up trying to play golf.
His down-to-earth wit is legendary
JACK NICKLAUS, six-time Masters champion
Furman Bisher has been a great friend to me and to the game of golf.
Actually, he’s been a great friend to many sports.
Furman is an absolute gentleman and a true professional, who I consider honest, a straight-shooter, and one of the old-guard media who you could actually sit down with to just chat and never worry about it showing up in print the next day. His talent as a writer is exceeded only by his integrity as a person.
There were many events I was a part of that might not be considered significant to some, and all of a sudden Furman would show. He always seemed to have a sense of what was important, and in the end what Furman deemed important, actually was.
Furman also has a down-to-earth wit that is legendary. It comes across in his writing, as well as in his everyday life, and that sense of humor is among the many things I have enjoyed about Furman. I am sure many people are like me when I say I will miss Furman Bisher when he stops writing — if he stops. He might be turning in his last column for the newspaper, but Furman will never stop writing or giving his opinion — an opinion that is very well respected and enjoyed by many.
I guess you could say that when it comes to the last column or writings of Furman Bisher, I will believe it when I don’t see it.
He has been a rock in this business
BLACKIE SHERROD, former Dallas Morning News sports columnist
It doesn’t seem possible that Furman is hanging them up. For centuries he has been a rock in our nefarious business, as well as a personal buddy.
But all things must end, and be assured that Furman will leave his indelible mark.
Dr. Bisher helps readers understand sports
DAVID SHI, president of Furman University
As an Atlanta native and a lifelong fan of James Furman Bisher, I am chagrined to see his last newspaper column appear in print. He is peerless in the world of sports journalism, a profession that has bestowed on him every one of its major awards.
Indeed, he is so distinguished that many people assume that Furman University, his alma mater, was named for him rather than the other way around.
For the past 16 years I have had the privilege of his friendship and wise counsel. In 1999 I had the distinct pleasure of awarding Furman an honorary doctoral degree.
He remains one of my heroes, in large part because he so effectively uses his agile words about athletics and athletes to help readers reflect on much larger issues.
Indeed, he often concludes his luminous columns with the Hebrew word “Selah,” which means “stop and reflect a moment.” Over many years, Furman Bisher has prompted countless readers to stop and reflect about sports, yes, but also about life — and what really matters. Dr. Bisher, we will miss your journalistic wit and insights, but your legacy of wisdom and professionalism will last forever. Selah.
A masterful story covering 60 years
BILLY PAYNE, chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament
Furman’s stirring accounts from Augusta National told the story of the Masters for an astonishing 60 years.
Through his honest and entertaining prose, he became the iconic voice of the Masters throughout Georgia and a living legend to many, me included.
We’re forever grateful for his contributions and hope he’ll continue to find himself walking our rolling fairways each April in pursuit of his next great story.
Bisher was there for all the big events
LORAN SMITH, UGA football sideline announcer
Furman Bisher, the ageless keyboard entrepreneur, is a remarkable journalist who has enjoyed a remarkable career. To begin with, he had a gift — there was talent — but he worked at his craft.
His due diligence was textbook. You may not have agreed with his opinions, but when it came to effort, he never short-changed his readers.
The best example of that came at the British Open, where we were often golf and dinner partners on each side of the daily competition.
Golf is an event that can be covered without ever setting foot on the field of play. With the temperatures dropping, the wind and rain dominating, you would, nonetheless, see Furman bundled up, hedged against the elements, intently following the action as if he had bet his house on the outcome.
Golf and baseball, perhaps, are where this sometimes cynical, sometimes sentimental North Carolina native wrote his best stuff, but he was as versatile a writer as there ever was. Wimbledon, St. Andrews, the Super Dome, Churchill Downs, Chapel Hill, the prominent venues, the “Hedges” and the bushes — Furman was there. Even at age 90, he would drive across four counties to cover a minor league baseball game.
He was good at what he did, because he loved what he was doing. From that first column to the last. Sadly it has come to an end.
The literary world will miss him, columns
ARNOLD PALMER, four-time Masters champion
I was sorry to hear that Furman Bisher is retiring. He certainly enjoyed a wonderful career.
I always considered him a good friend. He interviewed me quite often over the years and wrote many nice things about me and the game of golf.
He even wrote a book about my 1960 season, which was a big year in my career. The literary world will miss him and his entertaining columns. So will I.
‘I’ll do that perfect column someday’
DAVE KINDRED, former AJC sports columnist
So many memories ...
● One time, Furman walked out on Jack Nicklaus, who interrupted his own Masters press conference to ask, “Furman, don’t you want to hear me?”
“Jack, when you get to be my age,” the great man said, “you respect your kidneys.”
● One time, I was in a limousine with Jim Murray, the late Los Angeles Times sports columnist, who ran down a laundry list of his health problems before pointing at the mighty Furman. “And that sumbitch,” he said, “can’t catch a cold.”
● One time, early in my AJC days, after being told not to ask Furman what he was writing, I did it anyway, a little so we wouldn’t write the same thing, more to hear what he’d say. “Judas priest, general observations on the day’s events,” he said, so I chose another topic.
● One time, at his 80th birthday party, his old friend and boss Jim Minter said that when Furman got his dander up, he was as good as anybody. “I never knew he got his dander down,” I said, which is why Furman was always as good as anybody.
● One time, two years ago, his glorious wife, Linda, called him in the Augusta press room and Furman became a high school kid in love. “I just finished, honey,” he said. “It wasn’t much. I keep trying. I’ll do that perfect column someday.”
-- Compiled by external content editor Tim Ellerbee
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