Otto (Bud) H. Hofmeister

Otto H. (Bud) Hofmeister, 88, of Coeur d'Alene died Friday, March 28, 2003, in Coeur d'Alene.

He was born Nov. 17, 1914, in St. Louis to Otto H. and Johanna Hofmeister. He lived in the St. Louis area until entering the Army Air Corps in 1941.

On Feb.22, 1944, he married Catherine Bauman, a native of Lewiston. They made their home in Lewiston until Bud was discharged from the service in 1946. Bud landed his first head golf professional job at Blue Lakes Country Club in Twin Falls in 1950. Later that year he moved his family north to take the head professional position at Hayden Lake Country Club, remaining there until 1969, when he retired. He came out of retirement to work at Avondale Golf and Tennis Club as the head golf professional in 1975. He worked there until retirement again beckoned in 1983. Bud continued to give golf lessons for many more years.

His professional philosophy was to take care of his members and students before any personal goals, and he held to this ideal throughout his career. At Hayden Lake Country Club, he opened and closed the shop every day during the season and found time to teach eight to nine hours, five days a week. With his dedication to his job, his family and his golf game, there was little time for anything else.

Bud was one of the top players in the Northwest for many years. Some of his playing highlights include winning the St. Louis Municipal Championship in 1936, the Broadmoor Invitational in 1944, the Idaho Amateur in 1948, the Northwest Open in 1967 and the PGA Northwest Seniors in 1972. He held course records at Hayden Lake Country Club with a 59 on the old course and a 62 on the new course. Bud also played in several tour events including the San Diego Open, the Tucson Open, the Los Angeles Open, the Phoenix Open and the Bing Crosby National Pro-Am. He collected seven holes-in-one and shot his age every year from 1980 through 1995.

He was a former member of St. Thomas Catholic Church, a recent member of St. Pius X Catholic Church and a Life Member of the Professional Golfers Association of America.

He is survived by his wife, Catherine, at home; sons and daughters-in-law, Richard G. and Nina Hofmeister of Veradale, Wash., and James E. and Beverly Hofmeister of Liberty Lake, Wash.; daughter Janet M. Hofmeister of Spokane; brother Elmer Hofmeister of St. Louis; sister Dorothy Kisker of St. Louis; grandchildren Stephanie Byrne, Benjamin and Andrew Hofmeister, and Johanna and Brian Carlson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Harvey.

Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 625 E. Haycraft Ave., in Coeur d'Alene.

Memorial contributions can be sent to Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835; or Morning Star Boys Ranch, P.O. Box 8087, Spokane, WA 99203.

Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.