Golf Pro at the Links

IMG_8539While most of us in the Links of Lands End Community value Jacky Cupit’s friendship and golf advice, we might not realize much of what he accomplished before he joined us and became the namesake for “Jacky’s Pub”.

Jacky had a stellar amateur golf career, winning 39 tournaments. As a collegian at the University of Houston, he was twice an All-American and played on three NCAA Championship teams for Coach Dave Williams. While still an amateur Jacky won two pro events — the Alvin Dark Open in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and the Twin Cities Open in Monroe, Louisiana.

Jacky earned PGA Tour Rookie of the Year honors in 1961, the same year he won his first PGA tournament when he won the Canadian Open. At that same Canadian Open, he and brother, Buster, also were the first and only brothers to ever go first and second in a PGA tournammt. The record is still in place.

In 1962, Jacky won the Western Open when the Western Open was generally considered the next major tournament to the US Open, Masters, PGA, and British Opens. It was played on the famed Medinah Country Club course in Medinah, just northwest of downtown Chicago.

The 1963 venue for the US Open was Brookline. By tournament’s end there was a three-way tie at a post-World War 2 record high of 293. Jacky was tied for the lead with some familiar competition, Julius Boros and Arnold Palmer. Julius Boros ended up winning the tournament in the 18 hole playoff, with Jacky beating Arnold for second.

In 1964, Jacky won the Tucson Open and, in 1965, he won the Cajun Classic Open in a playoff with Chi Chi Rodriguez.

In 1966, Jacky and his brother, Buster finished second to Jack Nicklaus/Arnold Palmer in the PGA National Two Ball Tournament.

He subsequently retired from PGA tourney golf with a bad back.

Jacky was honored for his amateur and PGA tour careers by being inducted into the Texas Golf Hall of Fame in 1983.

With his Jacky Cupit Foundation, he, and his selection committee, annually award scholarships to deserving East Texas students for college assistance.  We, as members of the Links of Lands End golf community, are honored to have Jacky as our Golf Professional Emeritus and resident good guy.”