Funeral arrangements set for Tom Simon, former Michigan coach and U-M Golf Course pro

Funeral arrangements have been announced for former Michigan golf coach and long-time U-M Golf Course club professional and manager Tom Simon.

The 83-year-old, who continued to play and teach golf until last year, died Friday “with his family by his side,” according to a Nie Funeral Homes obituary.

Visitation is scheduled for 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Nie Funeral Home's Liberty Road Chapel in Ann Arbor and preceding a 10 a.m. funeral mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Ann Arbor on Wednesday.

Simon was the first head coach for the Wolverines’ women’s golf team in 1975 and took over the men’s program in 1978. He coached both teams until 1982. He oversaw the U-M Golf Course from 1969 until his retirement in 1988.

Once a student of Byron Nelson, Simon - who recorded 13 holes-in-one in his lifetime - played one year on the PGA Tour before serving in the Korean War from 1950 to 1953.

Unable to restart his professional touring career after the war, Simon served as a club pro at various country clubs in Southern California before moving to Ann Arbor.

His obituary notes that local golfers will always lovingly remember Simon’s signature critiques of their swings, such as “Maybe you should take up tennis,” and “With your swing, I would appreciate you not mentioning to anyone that I have been working with you.”

Simon met Emily, his wife for the past 22 years, during a golf lesson and they played together throughout their years of marriage and retirement together.