Pauline Eovaldi recently was recognized as one of two lifetime golf award winners at the Park District’s golf courses, Springbrook and Naperbrook, entitling her to free weekday rounds of golf at the courses for the rest of her life. Her responses included smiles, tears, kisses, and a celebratory kick with a shout. View the video here.

Director of Golf, Ed Provow (center) , congratulates Pauline Eovaldi (left) and Pearl Thoman (right)
on receiving the Lifetime Golf Award at Springbrook Golf Course in Sept. 2010

At 89 years young, Pauline is an inspiration to many. I was thrilled to be able to sit down with her and her daughter, Paula, to hear her stories. She told me about her golfing experiences, and then about some of her other life experiences which are amazing and need to be shared.

First golf experiences.  For those who think it might be too late to learn the game of golf, consider that Pauline didn’t even pick up a golf club until she was in her 40s.  It helps to have some natural athletic ability, which Pauline has, but she said, “I fell in love with the game the first time I hit the ball.” She always has enjoyed sports, including tennis, baseball, soccer, and childhood games such as kick the can.  “I was a tomboy,” said Pauline, “I would play football with the boys and felt comfortable with that.”

Pauline first learned to play golf in southern Illinois at Crab Orchard Golf Course in Carterville, IL.  After relocating to Troy, Michigan, where she played at Somerset Golf Course, Pauline, her husband, and her mother moved to Naperville in March of 1985, and by April, Pauline was playing at Springbrook Golf Course.  She quickly joined the women’s golf league, as soon as she could establish her handicap. When Naperbrook golf course opened, Pauline was one of the first ladies to join its Tuesday morning league.

Springbrook started team play around 1989, and Pauline was one of the original 6 team members. Springbrook’s ladies team was originally in the western division, but was later switched to the southern division, where they won first place several times, and then also went on to win 3 or 4 championships over the top teams in the other 3 divisions.  At the end of each season’s tournaments, all of the division teams had the opportunity to participate in a fun competition together.

Pauline played on the Springbrook team up until 2 years ago, when, at age 87, after breaking her arm, and undergoing 3 hand surgeries, her handicap became too high to qualify.

Highlights of her golf career. “I’ve played with almost all of the women at Naperbrook and Springbrook,” said Pauline.”  They are bright, vivacious, kind, and caring women,” she said, “and I want to thank all of the women I played with at both courses for playing with me and putting up with me.” (I am sure that the women do not see it that way!)  She also acknowledged the golf staff, including the starters, who have been kind and helpful to her.

One of the highlights of her golfing experience was the annual trip to Gull Lake in Michigan with a group of 12 women from Springbrook, in which she participated for 10 years.  Pauline enjoyed the intense schedule, playing 18 holes on Tuesday afternoon, 36 holes on Wednesday, and another 18 holes on Thursday before returning home, making the most of every moment.

Another highlight was having the opportunity to meet celebrities, including Sammy Davis, Jr., Patty Berg, Joe Garigiola, Yogi Berra, and Arnold Palmer. Pauline was able to walk 9 holes with Arnold Palmer when he participated in the dedication ceremony at White Eagle Golf Course.

Pauline with Arnold Palmer at White Eagle Golf Course

Life, love, and war stories.  Pauline reflected on the way her golf friends showed their support when her husband passed away in 1991. The story of her marriage brought into focus the amazing story of her experience as a young woman in Europe. Growing up in Herrin, Illinois, she had met the love of her life by age 18 and intended to marry, but at her father’s insistence, traveled to Italy in the spring of 1939 with her father and mother, as her father was ill and wanted to return to his homeland. He wanted Pauline to stay for a year and to have the opportunity to visit relatives and gain perspective on life. While she was in Italy, World War II broke out, and she was not able to secure a place on the last boat back to the United States. A year in Italy turned into a 7-year stay in war-torn Europe.

German officers moved into the hotel her father and mother owned and ran, and in which she and her parents were living. At first they were told to leave, but then were forced to stay in the hotel, as the officers felt it would not be bombed if civilians were living there as well. When a European resistance organization called the Partisans needed someone to translate radio messages, Pauline volunteered, relying on the Italian dialect she had learned at home growing up in an Italian family. Pauline sometimes had to bluff her way through the Germans’ questions as she listened to her radio for the coded messages.

Letters to and from her sweetheart while he was at home and in the Army were few and far between, passing through friends in Switzerland and then ceasing altogether, when those lines of communication were broken. Miraculously, Pauline survived and returned safely to the U.S. Her sweetheart had waited for her for 7 years, and they were married soon upon her return.  Pauline was awarded honors from the Partisans for her courageous service.

There is more to the story, which is worth telling at length in another venue, perhaps even in film someday.

With her competitive spirit and vitality, it is no wonder that Pauline still enjoys golf, dancing, friendships, and her family. She takes care of her great grandchildren each week, walks in her neighborhood, and plays cards with friends. During the winter, she spends some time in Florida with her son who lives in Sarasota, where she can play golf and enjoy the outdoors.  Pauline is hoping to use her lifetime golf pass for many years. With her determination, sense of humor, health-consciousness, and love of life, I’m confident that she will enjoy many more years of golf and also inspire all those who play with her.