Eddie Langert

Golf Pioneer Eddie Langert
H. Edward "Eddie" Langert, age 88, of Minnetonka, MN was called to join his Lord and Savior on Sunday, July 21st peacefully in his home. A Celebration of his life service will be held Saturday, July 27th at 2:00 p.m. with visitation preceding at 1:00 p.m. at Washburn-McReavy Funeral Home, 2300 W Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington, Minnesota.
Eddie was the son of Harry and Ethyl (Normandin) Langert and was born on March 26th, 1936, in Minneapolis. He graduated from Montebello, CA High School and attended Lamar University in Beaumont, TX where he enjoyed a distinguished college golf career including victory in the NAIA (small school) national championship. He turned professional shortly after graduation in 1958 and began an amazing and wonderful career as a P.G.A. Master Teaching Professional and golf industry executive spanning over 50 years.
Eddie was an outgoing "people person" who especially loved instructing juniors and beginner adults and fostering their interest and enjoyment of the game of golf.
He taught lessons in the Twin Cities at Oak Ridge and Minnesota Valley Country Clubs and later was the head golf professional at Town & Country St. Paul (where he held the course record of 63) and the Oneida Golf and Riding Club of Green Bay, Wisconsin. During his Green Bay days, he became the "instructor to the Packers," teaching golf to Hall-of-Famers Vince Lombardi, Bart Starr, and Ray Nitschke.
He also enjoyed great success as a player and competed on the P.G.A. tour in 1960. His local victories include the Minnesota State Open, The St. Paul Open, The Iowa State Open, The North Dakota State Open, The Resorters and Pine-to-Palm Tournaments.
After his head professional days, Eddie became a successful salesperson and executive in the golf industry. He was part of the founding startup group of Taylor-Made Golf and instrumental, as the first V.P. of Sales, in the growth of the company to the multi-billion juggernaut it is today. His pioneering sales efforts helped transition the golf industry into adopting metalwood technology to replace persimmon woods -which remains the dominant technology in golf today.
Eddie left Taylor-Made to start his own offshoot metalwood company, Langert Golf, in the 1980's. He later sold it to Prince tennis racket company to join back with Taylor-Made as an executive consultant until his retirement.
Eddie cherished his relationships with his employees, colleagues and family and always found great joy watching them grow and enjoy success after his mentorship.
He is survived by his son Michael Langert (Joleen) of Eden Prairie and his son Kendall Langert of Mound, MN; stepson Jeff Coppens (Vivian) of Las Vegas, NV; and stepdaughter Julie Cecil (Jay) of Bucyrus KS and her children Jack and Ariana. He was preceded in death by his wife Jane Langert, sister Geneva Polsfuss, son Christopher Langert, an infant son, and his parents.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the First Tee of MN - https://firstteeminnesota.org/donate/