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When I was young, football and surfing were my true passions. But then I discovered golf and learned the nuances of the game by playing at El Dorado Golf Course in Long Beach. While at El Dorado, I befriended Chuck Wallace, a great player who won the Long Beach Open and played on the Long Beach State golf team with Mark O’Meara. I started caddying for Wallace in local competitions. He took me on my first trip to Pebble Beach and accompanied me to my first professional tournament. Without letting on that he was coaching me, Wallace was steering me down a path. He taught me how to play the game, keep score, be a gentleman, prepare for a tournament and relax so I could perform to the best of my ability. I’m fortunate at Virginia Country Club to work with some young and talented tour professionals, and I try to pass on to them the knowledge I learned from Wallace. Much of our time is spent on how to act professionally and play the game properly. I never heard Wallace complain about anything, including when he was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor a few years ago. He died recently with the same grace and dignity in which he carried himself in life. His teaching will live on because I will always do my best to share the lessons I learned from him with a new generation that can only benefit from such a great man’s wisdom. SG Jamie Mulligan is chief operating officer and a PGA professional at Long Beach’s Virginia Country Club. He has twice been recognized as Teacher of the Year by the Southern California PGA. |
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