CHIPPEWA-OTTAWA PGA GOLFER FRANK DUFINA DIED
Born June 30, 1884, on Mackinac Island, Michigan, Dufina began his career there in 1898 at the just-opened Wawashkamo Golf Club where he became the club professional and remained so until 1968. A member of the Mackinac Bands of Chippewa and Ottawa Nations, he was the first Native American to play golf on the professional circuit and competed in the Western Open in 1911. In 1968, Dufina was named as the “Longest Working Golf Professional in History” by Golf Digest. He counted many early golf professionals among his friends, including golf legend Walter Hagen. He, along with other notable golfers such as Arnold Palmer, served as a pallbearer at Hagen’s funeral. Named for him, the Frank Dufina Match Play Championship is held annually at Wawashkamo Golf Club. He died in Petoskey, Michigan.
Sources: “Frank Dufina,” World Heritage Encyclopedia, Project gutenberg Self-Publishing Press. Retrieved, 12/13/2020, Frank Dufina | Project Gutenberg Self-Publishing - eBooks | Read eBooks online “Our History,” Wawashkamo Golf Club. Retrieved 12/13/2020, History – Wawashkamo Golf Club “Frank Dufina,” The Evening News (Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan), 8/15/1972, Page 7. Retrieved 12/13/2020, Clipping from The Evening News - Newspapers.com Wikipedia Photo: Tjb1972, 1930s. Permissive Use.
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