Tom E. Ness

Thomas E. "Tom" Ness, age 77, of Atlanta, passed away peacefully on September 26, 2025, surrounded by his loving and devoted wife, Dana, and daughters, Erin and Kathleen. Tom graduated from Kent State University in 1970 with a B.A. in Psychology and was a proud member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Shortly after graduation, he moved to Atlanta to begin his professional golf teaching career at Atlanta Country Club under the mentorship of Davis Love Jr. In 1980, Tom joined the Golf Digest Schools, beginning a distinguished teaching career that spanned several decades. A gifted instructor and passionate educator, Tom authored several articles for Golf Digest and was honored by his peers as one of Golf Digest's "America's 50 Greatest Teachers." He also spent many rewarding years teaching at Chateau Elan before bringing his talents to Hawks Ridge Golf Club, where he cherished his time working at their Golf Training Center. Tom was also a proud member of the PGA. Tom's legacy is one of dedication, humility, and excellence in golf instruction-but more importantly, he will be remembered as a loving husband, father, brother, and friend. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lowell and Algia Ness, and his brother, William (Bill) Ness. He is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Dana Ness; daughters, Erin Ness and Kathleen Ness; brother and sister-in-law, Richard (Rick) and Karen Ness; sisters-in-law, Elaine Ness, Patricia Clements, and Catherine Corcoran; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cherished friends. A celebration of Tom's life will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Birmingham United Methodist Church, followed by a reception at Hawks Ridge Golf Club. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in Tom's memory to The Parkinson's Foundation.