Jim Lucius, PGA Director of Golf at The Olympic Club, Dies at 69

01 Aug 2005
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA July 27, 2005) -- Jim Lucius, PGA director of golf at The Olympic Club, died July 27 at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco. Mr. Lucius, 69, succumbed to cancer after a courageous battle. He is survived by his wife, Judie and their children.

A respected member of The PGA of America for 44 years, Mr. Lucius dedicated his life to helping others through the game of golf. In recognition for his enduring passion for teaching others the sport he truly loved, Mr. Lucius was named Teacher of the Year for the Northern California PGA Section in 2001.

Over his long tenure in the golf industry, Mr. Lucius had a reputation for providing exceptional service to members at his club, while also closely assisting in the professional development of his staff. He trained and mentored scores of PGA members and apprentices, several of whom have since advanced to PGA head golf professional and PGA director of golf positions at premier facilities throughout the nation.

“I am deeply saddened by this news,” said Chris Stein, PGA head golf professional at The Olympic Club. “I was very fortunate to have had Jim as my mentor. He was a solid source of guidance and support not only for me, but also for so many other PGA Professionals over the years. He will be greatly missed.”

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.

Mr. Lucius was an accomplished leader in golf. In 1973 he served as president of the Southern Ohio PGA Section and in 1975 became a district director on the national board for The PGA of America. In 1982, he hosted the PGA Championship at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla., and he hosted the U.S. Open twice – at Southern Hills in 1977 and at The Olympic Club in 1998. He also hosted The Tour Championship, in 1993 and 1994, at The Olympic Club.

Throughout his golf career Mr. Lucius supported numerous community-based organizations, including the American Red Cross, East Palo Alto Junior Golf Association, La Casa De Las Madras Shelter for Battered Women and Children and Ronald McDonald House. He was also instrumental in forming The Olympic Club Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports programs for youth.

In service to his fellow PGA Professionals, Mr. Lucius was a PGA faculty member for Business School 1 and 2 in the 1970s and ‘80s. One of his fondest memories was the opportunity to share his considerable knowledge about the golf swing as a featured speaker at the 2002 Northern California PGA Player & Teacher Development Forum in Sacramento.

Aside from his loving wife Judie, he is survived by his son, Jim Lucius of Fort Myers, Fla., daughter Karen Kemp of The Woodlands, Tex., and stepdaughter Elizabeth Walter of Kingfisher, Okla. A special blessing and reception in Celebration of Jim’s Life will be held Tuesday, August 2, 2005 at The Olympic Club, in the Lakeside Clubhouse. It is the wish of the Lucius Family that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: The Olympic Club Foundation, c/o The Olympic Club, 524 Post Street, San Francisco, California, 94102.