b'and 2016while also earning GolfweekMulflur was the sort of coach that National Coach of the Year in bothhas a profound effect on her players 2015 and 2016. She was alsohonoredwithout really knowing how or why. as the WGCA National Coach of theShe is a natural-born coach and Year in 2016. In 2010 Mulflur wasunable to specify exactly what made presented with the WGCA Foundersher, or anybody else, good at it.Award which recognizes a coach whoI have no idea, she says before has made significant contributionsthrowing out a few characteristics to the sport during the year. And inshe believes are essential, and which 2014 she was inducted into the WGCAshe possessed in spades. Patience, Hall of Fame, as was her mentor,persistence and being relentless in Ihlanfeldt, who was inducted in 2007. your effort, she says. Understanding Mary Lou is the daughter of Billthat it is not a perfect science, and Mulflur, who for 30 years was thethat the job of a coach is fluid. I also lead golf writer and sports editor forthink its important to absolutely love the Oregon Journal and OregonianIn 2016, Mulflurs team won the NCAAwhat you do.newspapers, before retiring in 1988. Championship, the first national title in theAnd that she did. Mulflur was quite a player herself.programs history. (Photo by Bob Sherwin)She won state titles in 1974 and 1975 for Grant High School in Portland, Ore.coach, Mulflur says. Ive been lucky She also won the 1975 Oregon Juniorenough to have some great players.Championship, and won SouthernIve been fortunate to be doing Oregon titles in 1980, 1982, 1995 andwhat I did for that long, and 42 years is 1997 as well as the Oregon Coasta long time to do anything, she said. Invitational in 1979, 1982, and 1990. Mulflur does have some concerns She was one of the first womenabout the shifting landscape for to receive a golf scholarship to thestudent-athletes. Theres so much University of Washington, where shemoney involved now, she says. lettered four years, graduating in 1980.Education is not even being talked Mulflur competed insevenUSGAabout, and the kids are not being national championships, includingprepared for life. It would be good to three U.S. Womens Amateurs andsee more of and this opportunity to two U.S. Womens Opens. In Octoberplay on the golf team is in addition to of 2004, she was inducted into theyour education. Portland Interscholastic League Hall ofWhen she first made the Fame, and in 2006 was inducted intoannouncement about her retirement, the Grant High School Hall of Fame. Mulflur was flooded with responses She also served on the LPGAfrom former players. A lot of people SAFECO Classic Advisory Board forreached out, she said. Even some many years and helped develop aplayers I didnt expect to hear from. It junior golf program for inner city girls. was really great.There will be a retirement partyAfter four decades, Mulflur is ready for Mulflur in mid-June in theto step away, but will remain available. athletic building on campus, and sheI would do anything to help the will also be part of the universitysprogram, she says. Whatever they homecoming events in the fall.ask, I would do it. But that will be the If you have great kids, youre a greatnew coachs decision. JUN 2025|PACIFIC NORTHWEST GOLFER21'