Jerry Ludvik not only loved to play golf, he loved teaching golf. His passion for the sport was infectious as he taught the sport to an entire generation as the Springvale Country Club golf pro. So it was a tragic loss when Ludvik, the golf pro at the club since 1993, died of a heart attack after playing golf in Las Vegas last fall. His friends and family however wanted his legacy to go on.

The result was the Jerry Ludvik Memorial Golf Garden, which was formally dedicated on July 9 at Springvale Country Club in North Olmsted. Many of Ludvik's family and friends came to support him and his memory.

To go along with the garden, his wife Debbie started the "Jerry Ludvik Memorial Golf Fund" to continue to carry out his dedication to helping others. The fund has 166 supporters that have contributed $7,295 in his memory for various causes. The fund will help to landscape a garden at Springvale's entrance and to sponsor an annual outing in Jerry's name through the Northern Ohio Golf Association Charities & Foundation's "Golfer's with Disabilities Program." It also will assist in rebuilding the golf course's practice putting green.

The plaque honoring Jerry Ludvik is part of the new memorial garden dedicated in his honor on Sunday at Springvale.

Marty Young, the general manager at Springvale, said the garden commemorated Ludvik by "Carrying on what Jerry enjoyed doing. And it is for the people that knew Jerry to remember him while they're out here."

Young describe Ludvik as an easy-going person always looking to help others.

"A laid-back man without a care in the world that would do anything for anybody," Young said. "Jerry always came to Springvale with a smile on his face and his beat up black Cadillac."

Ludvik had taught many juniors and youth in the area.

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"Jerry had a passion for teaching golf, especially to the young kids," Young said. "He took pride in what he did especially with the junior golfers. He was always there to assist people. Everyone commented on the rates for Jerry's golf lessons. When you looked at how much he charged for golf lessons you knew it wasn't about the money with Jerry. It was about helping people. And that's what we here are going to remember most about him."

Trevor Hazen, a PGA Golf Professional and a representative from NOGA for Charities & Foundations "Golfers with Disabilities," spoke about how they will remember Ludvik.

"Jerry was very, very supportive of accessible golf programs," Hazen said. "His passion for golf and his support for golfers with disabilities will be reflected annually through the Jerry Ludvik Back to Golf Outing presented by NOGA Charities which will be held at North Olmsted Golf Club."

The highlight of this outing each year will be the Jerry Ludvik Cup.

"The Jerry Ludvik Cup will serve as an annual reminder of his love for the game as well as a celebration of accessible golf," Hazen said.

A nonprofit charity entity is in the process of being set up in Ludvik's name for ongoing charitable opportunities. Through this fund, money will be awarded annually to golfers with disabilities.

"He touched a lot of people's lives in the area," Young said. "We feel the garden is a perfect tribute to the lives that he touched here. It's for those that come by here to think of Jerry and what he meant to each of you."

Mayor Thomas O'Grady of North Olmsted came to the ceremony to officially dedicate the garden. The garden was covered with many colorful plants and a commemorative boulder.

O'Grady shared words of warmth to all the friends and family that were there in support of Ludvik.

"It's a wonderful day because we are here together for the reason that we are here," O'Grady said. "Today is a joyous day, it is the day that we celebrate the contributions of someone who has had a profound and lasting effect on so many of us and so many more beyond this group that is gathered here today. So many years of young people have grown up and learned to play golf and learned about life, and learned about common sense from a good guy. We are celebrating life and the great life of a great man."