Louis Hansen Jr.

Louis William (Butch) Hansen Jr.

Louis W. (Butch) Hansen passed away July 4th at Brickmont of Roswell in Roswell, Ga surrounded by his wife of 22 years, Margaret, and other family. He was 83 years old.

Born in Miami, Fl, and raised in Norfolk, Va, Butch attended Granby High School where he excelled in golf, football, baseball, basketball and volleyball. He continued his golf career at the College of William and Mary where he was the team captain. After college, Butch enlisted in the United States Navy where he proudly served on the USS Coral Sea aircraft carrier in the Gulf of Tonkin. During his time in the Navy, Butch would be honored as a member of the All-Services golf team. Upon leaving the Navy, Butch started his golf career at Sewell's Point Golf Club in Norfolk, Va before moving to Atlanta, Ga to be the first assistant professional at Cherokee Town and Country Club.

Butch's golf professional career progressed rapidly as he accepted head professional jobs at Berkeley Hills Country Club in Norcross, Ga and then moved on to Druid Hills GC in Atlanta, Ga. From there, Butch moved to Brookfield West Country Club in Roswell, Ga where he would serve over 20 years as the Director of Golf. During his time at Brookfield West, Butch co-founded the Bobby Jones Jr Golf Foundation, now known as the PGA Reach Georgia, and served as it's first President. Butch also helped to resurrect the Atlanta LPGA Tour event at Brookfield and helped to start countless charitable events that have since raised tens of millions for local Georgia charities. Butch's junior and ladies programs became models for many other clubs around the country.

In 1988, Butch would add to his job at Brookfield West and began simultaneously serving as the GM and head golf professional at The Polo Fields in Cumming, Ga. Butch's tireless community outreach and charitable efforts continued until he retired in 2007.

Butch was a proud lifetime member of the PGA of America and the Georgia Section PGA for almost 60 years.

In 2023, Butch was honored as an inductee to the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame for a storied career serving the game and giving back to the golf community through charitable efforts and elevating junior golf programming around the state.

Butch loved working in his yards through the years creating ponds and other incredible structures and features throughout his various home's front and back yards.

Butch's passion for the game of golf and his love for working in his yard were only exceeded by his love of God, Country and Family.

Butch met his first wife Mary Anne Lynch in the summer of 1965 through a mutual friend and they were married just a few months later. Butch and Mary Anne had 4 children and lived a very charmed life until Mary Anne lost her battle with MS in 2000. Two years later, Butch luckily found true love again when he met Margaret Syribeys who he would marry in the summer of 2002.

Butch was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Anne Hansen; parents, Louis and Myra Hansen; sister, Diane Holland; and son, Scott Hansen. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Syribeys Hansen; daughter, Meg Hansen Scaff (Mike); sons Bill Hansen (Liz) and Dwight Hansen (Sherri); step sons Peter Syribeys (Vivian) Paul Syribeys (Alyssa) and Phillip Syribeys (Lauren); as well as 18 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by by countless nephews, nieces and cousins.

There will be a funeral service on July 11th at 11 am at Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation in Atlanta, Ga.

There will be a celebration of life on October 6th, 2024 in Atlanta, Ga on what would have been Butch's 84th birthday.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorials be given to PGA Reach Georgia at www.georgiapga.com/foundation