Past generation helps NYU trail blazer flourish

Vivian Bucknam and Marilynn Smith

By Beth Ann Baldry

Theresa Apoznanski and Marilynn Smith are unlikely kindred spirits. Both trail blazers in their own right, they became pen pals after Apoznanski used Smith’s scholarship to attend New York University, where she helped start the women’s golf program four years ago.

They correspond the old-fashioned way, since Smith only recently bought a computer. “When I went to high school, I didn’t think I was going to be a secretary,” said Smith, “so I didn’t take typing”.

Smith’s penmanship, like most in her generation, indicates an investment of time and an attention to detail that has become a lost art form. One of 13 LPGA Founders, Smith began her scholarship fun in 1999 and awards money to a high school senior who plans to play collegiate golf. It’s not surprising that she was drawn to Apoznanski, a motivated visionary who recently graduated with a degree in biology and a minor in French.

While still a junior in high school, Apoznanski contacted the men’s golf coach at NYU about starting a women’s program. She also captained tennis and track teams at Smithtown West, but saw golf as her lifetime love.

When Apoznanski arrived on campus in the fall of 2007, a mass email went out to all females on campus about starting a golf team. Also, a booth was set up at a club fair. By the end of the fall, they’d rounded up four students who were recreational players, at best. Apoznanski’s scores hovered around the low- to mid-80s; the rest of the team’s numbers were anywhere from 90 to 120.

That April, Apoznanski shot a season-best 77 to become the school’s first-ever individual champion. She now holds every individual school record but one: lowest-round score. That belongs to freshman Kristina Shalhoup (74).

There were eight players on this year’s roster, and they came from all over the country and beyond. Natasha How hails from Singapore. The Violets, who compete at the NCAA Division III level, won two tournaments and a dual match this year.

Playing on the NYU team takes a special commitment, given the challenge of finding nearby facilities. Once a week, the team practiced at Chelsea Piers, a driving-range facility in the city. Twice a week, they’d load up the van at 12:30pm to head to a course in New Jersey or upstate New York. They’d usually arrive back on campus at 8:30pm.

It’s something that defined my time at NYU,” Apoznanski said. “I consider it my baby.”

Smith knows all about building something from scratch. Before her days molding the professional tour, Smith was a student at the University of Kansas. In 1948, her father Lynn asked the athletic director Phog Allen if the university could help with her travel expenses to the national championship.

Smith vividly recalls his response: “He said, ‘Mr. Smith, it’s too bad your daughter isn’t a boy.”

“Fortunately, my dad had enough money to drive me,” stated Smith.

It’s easy to see why Marilynn Smith, 82, cares so deeply about giving young girls headed to college a financial boost. Smith’s cause recently received a sizable boost from the late Vivian Bucknam, a longtime LPGA fan who died at age 92 and left $200,000 to the fund.

Smith, rarely speechless, said the gesture was so extraordinary that she could hardly express her feelings.

Bucknam, a retired nurse who lived in New York, frequented LPGA events in the New England area and was particularly fond of Smith and Sandra Post. Smith said Bucknam never said hello or asked for an autograph. One week, they happened to be staying at the same hotel and as Smith was leaving breakfast, she saw Bucknam dining alone.

“I guess God just said, “Say hello to Vivian,” Smith recalled. “I did, and we’ve been friends ever since.”

Bucknam’s gesture will double the number of scholarships given to 10 and the amount of money to $10,000 apiece.

Smith also hosts a charity event each fall to help the fund. This year’s event will take place on Monday, September 12th and will honor JoAnne Carner and fellow founder Louise Suggs.

Smith can only hope to find 10 recipients like Apoznanski who make good use of her scholarship. The seven-time tournament medalist is a Presidential Scholar and was named NYU’s Senior Athlete of the Year. She plans to attend the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in the fall, and envisions herself coaching or helping programs such as The First Tee for years to come.

“I’m excited to start the alumni program of NYU women’s golf,” said Apoznanski, her voice giddy at the idea. “That my next project.”