Drury University Athletics

A Springfield Central High School graduate, Tom Talbot was a four-year letterman in both football and track at Drury. Tom was considered to be one of the top athletes ever to have graced the Panther athletic scene and upon his graduation from Drury in 1930 he played professional football with the Chicago Bears before an injury ended his career. Though he was a standout in football and track at Drury (and professionally), it was the sport of golf that dominated Tom Talbot's life...and a sport that he dominated in many ways himself. A two-time Springfield amateur golf champion, Talbot turned pro in 1931 playing for the professional tournament trail for three years. From 1934 and 1967 he was a teaching professional at various golf facilities in the midwest. He was the Springfield Grandview (now Stewart) course pro from 1951 to 1967. Talbot passed away in 1990. He was inducted into the Springfield Area Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.