A cloud of ache filled the halls of Parkway South High School on Monday.
The pain resulting from the sudden loss of golf coach and teacher Mark Wade, who died from an apparent heart attack early Saturday, rippled through the Ballwin school.
Wade was 59.
A math teacher, Wade was one of the more affable and successful golf coaches in the area. He built a mini-dynasty, his boys teams winning seven of the last 11 district titles and the 2000 Class 4 state championship.
Wade's death came in the middle of the golf playoffs. The Patriots won the district team title last week to advance to the sectional at Poplar Bluff.
The tournament was slated for Wednesday but has been pushed back until Friday due to heavy rains in southern Missouri.
Jason Koehrer will take the team to Poplar Bluff. Koehrer, 36, has been an assistant for five years and taught math next door to Wade.
"The guys absolutely love, not loved, Coach Wade," Koehrer said. "They are looking forward to honoring Coach and representing South. They will play with integrity."
Wade's tutelage has produced several Division I golfers, most notably Scott Langley. A 2006 graduate, Langley won the NCAA individual championship in 2010 with the University of Illinois. With Wade in attendance, he finished 16th in the 2010 U.S. Open.
"He made a huge impact on my life," Langley said in a phone conversation from Champaign. "Along with being my coach, he was my favorite teacher. He meant a lot to all of us."
One of Wade's favorite expressions on the course was, "Be a grinder."
"I can hear him today," Langley said. "Coach said there is no secret to success. It takes hard work."
Wade not only schooled young players but also fresh-faced coaches.
Lindbergh coach Mike Tyler leaned on Wade from the get-go.
"As a young coach, he was my go-to guy," Tyler said. "Even after 11 or 12 years of coaching, he was still my go-to guy when I had questions. He was always eight steps ahead of everybody else. He'll be sorely missed."
Wade's death was felt throughout the coaching community.
"We were certainly saddened by the news," Oakville coach Cindy Maulin said. "He was a contributor to his community, his school, the sport of golf and his family."
The Patriots will be wearing ribbons on Friday in honor of Wade.
Visitation will be held Wednesday at Kutis Funeral Home in Affton from 2-9 p.m. The funeral will be held at Sacred Heart Church in Valley Park on Thursday at 10 a.m.
David Kvidahl contributed to this report.
