Jim Lucius

LUCIUS, Jim - August 8, 1935 - July 27, 2005 Jim Lucius, longtime golf pro at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, died Tuesday, July 27, at California Pacific Medical Center from lung cancer. He was 69. A Professional Golf Association member for more than four decades, Mr. Lucius was a popular golf professional at the Olympic Club for 17 years. He was head pro from 1988 until 2000 when he became Director of Golf, a post he held until his death. Always the consummate professional, he greeted all club members by name and made them feel special, and possessed the wit, charm and diplomatic skills to keep more than 5,000 members of the organization happy. Next to his family, golf was his life. Mr. Lucius thrived on the ritual of the game and believed that golf imbued a player with honesty, integrity and good manners. Tall and slim with a radiant smile, he cut a cool figure on the links sporting cashmere sweaters and finely tailored trousers. In 1995, Golf Pro Magazine named him one of the best-dressed pros in golf. Over the years he helped develop the skills of countless students of all ages. Whether a golfer was saddled with a 36 handicap, or was a professional on tour, Mr. Lucius treated everyone alike and encouraged his or her game. In 2001 he was named Teacher of the Year for the Northern California PGA section. More than 25 young men he mentored are now working as head golf professionals throughout the country. Even when well established in their careers, many continued to call Mr. Lucius for advice. Noted former colleague, John Phillips, Director of Golf at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks (Ventura County), "I only worked for Jim for five years, but he's had influence on my career for 25 years." Added Larry Cassidy, a teaching professional at Wedgewood Golf and Country Club in Worthington, Ohio, "I certainly wouldn't be who I am, or where I am, if it weren't for Jim Lucius." In 2002, the Northern California PGA Section honored Mr. Lucius with its Bill Strausbaugh Award, for his diligent efforts in helping others expand their careers in golf. He created a high-tech training facility at the Olympic Club, which he dubbed the DOG (Director of Golf) House, that uses computers in analyzing a golfer's game. Mr. Lucius twice served as host to the U.S. Open. In 1977 he hosted the tour at Southern Hills in Tulsa, and in 1998 at the Olympic Club. On the same courses he shot his own best rounds - 65 at Southern Hills and 69 at the Olympic Club. Born in Northfield, MN, from his early years young Jim wanted to become a golf professional. After graduating from high school he attended the University of Minnesota, playing on the golf team there. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and after discharge worked at several country clubs in southern Ohio, followed by Southern Hills in Tulsa where he became EVP and director of golf. When asked why he turned pro he responded, "I couldn't win anything as an amateur and so I turned pro." In 1988, he and his wife, Judie Lucius, moved to San Francisco when he accepted his post at the Olympic Club. At the time of his death the couple had just celebrated their 24th wedding anniversary. Throughout his career he supported many charitable causes including La Casa de las Madres Shelter for Battered Women and Children, and the San Francisco Firefighters' Toys for Tots program. Mr. Lucius was instrumental in founding the Olympic Club Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports programs for youth, and hosted more than 150 charity tournaments. Mr. Lucius was known as the "King of the One-Liner." When friends chided him about his fondness for doughnuts, his comeback was inevitably, "this is the body of a highly trained professional athlete." He is survived by his wife, Judie Lucius of San Francisco; daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Dan Kemp of The Woodlands, TX; son, Jimmy Lucius of Ft. Myers, FL; mother, Lorraine Lucius of Torrance (Los Angeles County); stepdaughter, Elizabeth Walter and her husband, Brian Walter, of Kingfisher, OK; grandchildren, Daniel Kemp and Laura Kemp of The Woodlands, TX; and Robert Walter; William Walter; and Sam Walter, all of Kingfisher, OK. A Memorial Celebration will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, August 2, at the Olympic Club, Lakeside Clubhouse. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Olympic Club Foundation, c/o the Olympic Club, 524 Post St, SF, CA 94102, or to other charities in his name.