Jacky Cupit, a former professional golfer from Longview who lived in Mineola, has passed away.

Cupit was a pro golfer from 1961 to 1974 (with a brief stint on the PGA TOUR Champions in 1988), during which time he had several claims to fame. Arguably, the biggest of these is a 1966 PGA National competition, in which he and brother Buster lost to golf legends Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.

The PGA tour website notes that Cupit was a four-time PGA TOUR winner, having won nearly 40 amateur tournaments, the Canadian Open, and the PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year, among many other honors. 

In Wood County, Cupit was perhaps best known as emeritus pro at the Links at Land’s End in Yantis, where restaurant Jacky’s Pub was named after him. 

Cupit was a Texas Golf Hall of Fame member. He died on March 4 at the age of 88.