Our Arklahoma Heritage: The unforgettable legacy of Arkansas-born PGA golfer Ky "Chief" Laffoon

In the annals of golf history, few names evoke the colorful blend of skill, showmanship, and controversy quite like George Ky Laffoon. Born on December 23, 1908, in Zinc, Laffoon's journey from a small-town prodigy to a celebrated PGA Tour champion is a tale of talent, tenacity, and a touch of theatrics.

Ky Laffoon's parents were John Bledsoe Laffoon Jr. and Martha Henrietta (née Earle) Laffoon. His father, John, was involved in the family business, Laffoon Transfer and Storage, while his mother, Martha, supported the family in hjer role as housewife . They moved to Miami, Oklahoma, when Ky was young, which is where he spent much of his early life and developed his golfing skills.

Laffoon's golfing prowess was evident from a young age. By the age of 15, he was already the head professional at Miami Country Club, where his "assistant pro" was none other than his 11-year-old cousin, Leonard Ott, who would also go on to become a tour golfer.

At a young age, Laffoon developed an interesting relationship with the infamous gambler and hustler, Titanic Thompson.

In the late 1920s, Laffoon often acted as Thompson's caddie during their hustling escapades.

Thompson would challenge opponents to golf matches, and if they accepted, he would often lose on purpose. Then, he'd turn to Laffoon and say, "Why, even my caddie could beat you!. Laffoon would then step in and win the match, splitting the winnings with Thompson.

It is said that Laffon, dining as a guest with Thompson, broke bread with mobster Al Capone on more than one occasion.

This partnership was part of Titanic Thompson's legendary tricks and added to Laffoon's colorful reputation on the golf course. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement that showcased both Laffoon's skill and Thompson's cunning.

Laffoon turned professional in 1930 and quickly made a name for himself on the PGA Tour, amassing an impressive 10 victories, including four wins in 1934 alone.

He was known for his colorful antics both on and off the golf course. Laffoon had a notorious temper and was famous for breaking his golf clubs. He would often throw them down the fairway or up into trees in fits of rag..

One of the legends about Laffoon is that he would tie a putter to the bumper of his car and drag it across the road to sharpen its edge. While this story might be exaggerated, he did drag clubs behind his car to grind the soles and sharpen the leading edges.

Laffoon was married to Irene Sophia Kersten. They tied the knot on October 10, 1935, in Waukegan, Lake, Illinois. Irene was a significant part of his life, but there were instances where she threatened to leave him if he couldn't control his temper on the golf course.

Ben Hogan and Ky Lafoon

During a tournament in1936, Laffoon missed several shots and started shouting expletives When Irene,  embarrassed by his behavior, headed for the clubhouse Laffoon ran after her, pleading that he wasn't cursing at his game, but was merely expressing his disdain for honeysuckle.

At another tournament later that same year, Laffooon left the court mid-round after a triple bogey on a Par 4 hole, went into the trunk of his car, pulled out a handgun and shot his putter three times. declaring the "son of a b****" will never cause me to four putt again!".

One of Laffoon's crowning achievements was his participation in the 1935 Ryder Cup, where he represented the U.S.

1935 Ryder Cup Team

The U.S. team's victory was a dominant performance, and it marked the beginning of a long period of American dominance in the Ryder Cup, as the U.S. team did not lose the Ryder Cup again until 1957.

That Ryder Cup team also featured legendary golf name like Walter Hagen and Gene Sarazen.  Lafoon's performance on the international stage solidified his reputation as one of the top golfers of his era.

Despite his success, Laffoon was known for his fiery temper and on-course antics, which often made headlines.

Laffoon's nickname, "Chief," was a nod to his Native American heritage—a heritage that, in reality, he did not possess.

Nevertheless, the moniker stuck, and Laffoon embraced it, sometimes posing in Indian headdresses and adding to his larger-than-life persona. His antics, such as dragging a putter behind his car to sharpen its edge, only added to his legend.

Despite his on-course bravado, Laffoon was well-respected by his peers and was known for his excellent swing and teaching abilities. He mentored many golfers, including legends like Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson, although he had a falling out with Nelson over an insult directed at Laffoon's brother/caddie.

Ky Laffoon's career spanned the tumultuous years of the Great Depression and World War II, yet he remained a consistent performer on the tour1. His best finish in a major championship was third place at the 1937 PGA Championship, and he had eight top-10 finishes in majors throughout his career.

After retiring he moved to Springfield, Missouri. Laffoon was diagnosed with inoperable cancer in 1982.

After telling friends and family members he preferred to go out on his own terms he chose to end his life by gunfire at his Springfield home in 1984.

He and Irene are buried in the Maple Park Cemetery in Springfield.