Throughout his singing career , Cherry was also a top-ranked amateur golfer , and was in contention to win the 1960 U.S. Open before eventually finishing tied for ninth along with Ben Hogan , four strokes behind winner Arnold Palmer . Cherry played on three Walker Cup teams ( 1953 , 1955 , and 1961 ) , in the Americas Cup twice ( 1954 and 1960 ) and in nine Masters Tournaments , making the cut seven times with a best finish of T-25 in 1959 . He captured the Canadian Amateur Championship in 1953 and the prestigious Sunnehanna Amateur title in 1954 . In 1962 , Cherry decided to turn professional and " Pro " became his nickname among fellow entertainers . His volcanic temper on the golf course ( which , according to Cherry , " ... made Tommy Bolt look like a choir boy ! " ) was in startling contrast to his velvety-smooth singing voice and pleasant stage persona . Cherry published his biography , '' Cherry 's Jubilee '' , with co-writer Neil Daniels . He was a good friend of Willie Nelson , and had collaborated on three albums with him , '' Augusta '' ( 1995 ) , '' The Eyes of Texas '' ( 2002 ) , and '' It 's Magic '' ( 2007 ) . Cherry was married four times , once to 1956 Miss America Sharon Ritchie , before wedding Francine Bond Smith , in 1993 . They lived in Las Vegas , Nevada . His son , Stephen , was a casualty of the 9/11 attacks when American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower . Stephen left behind four sons
American Airlines Flight 11
American Airlines Flight 11
Don Cherry (singer)