Sam H. Hall (1984) - Southern Miss M-Club Hall of Fame

Sam H. Hall

Induction:
1984

Some people were just born to play golf. You can tell when they are little, when you see them pick up a club for the first time. But maybe more important than the fact that someone is born to play the game, is the fact that they love the game, and when you find that special combination, you find a great golfer.
   Sam Hall was one of those types of players that were born to play and has a deep love for the game of golf. Because of that he has made a contribution to the Southern Miss golf program unmatched in school history.
   It wasn't a secret that Hall was an outstanding athlete, after all at Hattiesburg (Miss.) High School he still ranks as the only athlete at the school to letter in every sport offered.
   From Hattiesburg High he moved to Southern Miss where he wasted little time in proving he was one of the most talented players on the team.
   In 1954 Hall joined Hall of Famer Charles Gillis to lead the team to a 2-1 dual match record, but Hall showed signs that year of the talent that would one day lead him into the Hall of Fame. The 1954 team finished second that year in the Mississippi Intercollegiate.
   In the spring of 1955 Hall helped his team to a 3-4-1 dual match record and a third place finish in the Mississippi Intercollegiate. Hall continued to improve in every aspect of the game that year and quickly became one of the most consistent players on the team
   Hall left for the next couple of years to attend dental school, but during that time continued to compete successfully in various amateur tournaments in the state and in the region.
   He returned to Southern Miss for the 1958 season and was one of the team's top players as they posted a 4-8 dual match record and finished 12th in the Southern Intercollegiate in Athens, Georgia.
   Hall continues to actively play golf and after a very successful career in amateur golf around the state and the country even became a member of the Senior PGA Tour in 1985. He has since applied for and received his amateur status back. He has captured the Mississippi State Senior Amateur title seven times and has won more than 300 golf tournaments as an amateur. In addition he has participated in the U.S. Senior Open six times.
   Following his career at Southern Miss Hall also spent two seasons coaching the school golf team in 1969 and 1970 before reentering private business. He returned to his alma mater to coach for a second time in 1990 and since that time has continued to develop the Golden Eagle golf program into one best in the country.
   Hall has the vision and desire to continue the drive to make the Southern Miss golf program one of the best collegiate programs in the nation. Hall has used the superior facilities and great golf atmosphere in the Hattiesburg and South Mississippi area to recruit some of the top players from not only the state of Mississippi but from all over the United States.