THERE is much to admire about the sport of golf. Its traditions, the camaraderie and it being a gentleman's (and woman's) game. One ‘bad hole’
hasn’t spoiled
Pung’s roundBut at times the rules seem somewhat archaic and downright unsporting. A case in point being disqualification for signing an incorrect scorecard.
It happened to Jackie Liwai Pung in the 1957 U.S. Women's Open. In the excitement of the moment, Pung signed an incorrectly totaled scorecard after completing her round at the Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y.
Some 40 years later, it's still a painful memory. She was the first Hawaiian on the LPGA Tour, competing from 1952 to 1964, with comebacks in 1971 and 1976.
"But every time the TV mentions my name, it's still in connection with that card," she said. "It was hard to get over, but at least now when they talk about me, it lets people know I'm still alive."
Pung, at 76, is alive and well. As is her Jackie Pung Golf Academy on the Big Island at Waikoloa.
"Teaching is my love," said Pung, who is based out of The Kings Course at Waikoloa.
"God gave me this gift and I have been blessed with so much. I need to give back."
GOLF has not forgotten her. On Sept. 26, Pung will be honored at a Banquet of Champions held in conjunction with Winged Foot's 75th anniversary.
The club is honoring all former winners of major championships held at the course. They include Billy Casper (1959 U.S. Open), Hale Irwin (1974 U.S. Open), Fuzzy Zoeller (1984 U.S. Open) and Susie Berning (1972 U.S. Women's Open).
And of course, Betsy Rawls. She was second to Pung in 1957, but earned the title when Pung was disqualified.
The fans felt so sorry for Pung that they took up a collection and raised $2,000. That was more than Rawls earned for first place.
"I leave Wednesday," Pung said. "I'm very much looking forward to this. It's the first time I've been back (to Winged Foot) since '57."
Pung has always been a character. When she won the U.S. Women's Amateur in 1952, she was reprimanded by a U.S. Golf Association official for dancing an impromptu hula on the 18th green.
I first met her when she was the coach of the University of Hawaii women's golf team in the 1980s. A strict, hard coach with a soft side, she only expected the best from her golfers.
Pung has been a touring golf ambassador for years, enjoying celebrity pro-am events. Last year's outings included the Swing At Cancer event, which featured 36 senior lady legends.
Last April, it was another gathering of greats at the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional Division's Western Section Championship. The tournament was held at the Chardonnay Golf Club in Napa, Calif., and was old-home week for Pung, who lived in San Francisco during the early days of her pro career.
PUNG was diagnosed with diabetes in 1992, and was unable to feel the club in her hands.
She's been chipping away at the disease via a healthy diet, medication and exercise, has been heavily involved with the American Diabetes Association's Hawaii Chapter and has become a popular guest speaker.
The LPGA pioneer was awarded Master Life status recently, one of just 26 women to have received the honor. It was given in recognition of her nearly 50 years of involvement with golf, on and off the course.
One of Pung's favorite sayings is, "Don't worry about yesterday because it's history. Don't worry about the future because it is a mystery. Live for today and appreciate it because each day is a gift. That's why it's called the 'present.'"
Here's hoping that Pung will enjoy her return to Winged Foot. And dance the hula on the 18th green.
Cindy Luis is a Star-Bulletin sportswriter.
Her column appears weekly.