Sports history is filled with iconic names, but its most powerful stories are shaped by unsung heroes. My dear friend, John Richard Harris, was one of them. His recent and sudden passing reminds us that the most meaningful legacies are not measured in headlines, but built on humility, generosity, kindness and the mentorship of others.
A decorated amateur golfer and former outstanding ice hockey player, John had an incredible sports career that began under the tutelage of the legendary Olympic hero and ice hockey coach, Herb Brooks at the University of Minnesota. After a brief stint in professional hockey, he turned his passion to golf, winning numerous amateur titles and representing the United States in four Walker Cups. The highlight of his career came in 1993 when he won the US Amateur Championship at the age of 41 – a title shared with Bobby Jones, Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Fred Ridley to name a few.
While John’s life touched some of sports’ most legendary figures, you would never know it from his own modesty. His focus was always on how he could lift others, and I was among those who always felt his support. Our friendship began over 20 years ago, and during that time we had the privilege of playing some of the world’s most iconic golf courses together. As much as I enjoyed the challenges of playing those courses, I treasured our conversations even more.
One of my favorite memories is a conversation we had while playing the Old Course at St Andrews. I casually asked John how he would go about building an outdoor ice rink, as my two sons played competitive ice hockey. I expected a brief overview. Instead, he gave me a masterclass right down to how to run a hose from the kitchen sink and the importance of using lukewarm water so the ice wouldn’t crack. Let’s just say, I decided to continue taking the boys to an indoor rink! He loved teaching others, and he always gave more than what was asked, and was always so patient with everyone.
A gentle giant, John’s unassuming midwestern demeanor belied his outsized accomplishments. Known for his “smooth swing,” I count myself among the fortunate to have benefited from John’s steely resolve and ability to tell me what I needed to hear, not what I wanted to hear, because he cared. At critical points in my career, John was there with an open mind, an unflinching eye, and great guidance. His judgement was remarkable!
I sought his counsel on a wide range of topics, including AIG’s sponsorship of the AIG Women’s Open. John was our unofficial ambassador. His judgment and advice were instrumental in our conversations with The R&A as we worked to extend AIG’s title sponsorship to 2030. He deeply understood our commitment to pay equity, our desire to bring the Championship to the most iconic courses, and the need to enhance the player experience for women, while respecting the rich history of The R&A. This was just one of the many important ways that John quietly contributed to driving outcomes behind the scenes.
Another example that captures John’s humility came in 2017 when I traveled to Royal Porthcawl to see the course that would later host the 2025 AIG Women’s Open. I called John for his thoughts, and in typical fashion, he kept it simple: “It’s a terrific test of golf, with a great layout – you’ll really enjoy it.” That conversation was in the back of my mind when we arrived and walked into the locker room. I noticed a single picture hanging on the wall and was astonished to see a familiar face. It was the 1995 Walker Cup team featuring John Harris and Tiger Woods. True to form, John had never once mentioned playing in the Walker Cup at Royal Porthcawl, let alone the fact that he played alongside Tiger Woods! Even after decades of friendship, I was still uncovering new stories about him.
John and I played our last round of golf together at the 2025 AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl. He played beautifully – driving the ball down the middle every hole, hitting great iron shots, and leaving no pressure on his putting. In between holes, he shared incredible memories from the 1995 Walker Cup, weaving in advice as he always did. That was a typical round for John. Playing effortlessly, sharing stories and mentoring along the way.
On September 17, 2025, we lost not only an extraordinary sportsman and successful business executive, but also the rarest kind of person: someone who understood that what truly matters is not how many people you know, or what you accomplish, but how you touch the lives of others. John knew remarkable people, and accomplished an extraordinary amount, but his true gift was the way he gave so generously of himself. That is who John Harris was and there will never be another one like him.
The opinions expressed in Fortune.com commentary pieces are solely the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of Fortune.
