Dorothy Traung (b. 1914) grew up in San Francisco and attended Lowell High School. Her father, Louis, and uncle, Charles, both long time Club members, introduced her to the game of golf in 1929. A natural athlete, she taught herself the fundamentals of the golf swing by practicing for months in her basement before venturing onto the golf courses at Lakeside. Her initial instructor was OC pro Frank Orchard. Through her friend, fellow competitor, and former national champion Marion Hollins, Traung met Ernest Jones, known for his teaching philosophy of “Swinging the Clubhead.” Jones became her primary coach during her tournament days.
She soon began competing on the local, regional, and state level. In 1934, at age 20, she made it to the finals of the U.S. Women’s National Championship, now known as the U.S. Women’s Amateur. She lost to Virginia Van Wie, 2 and 1, who took home her third national title in a row. The New York Times referred to the final as “one of the hardest-fought matches ever played in the final round of any championship,” noting how long Traung was off the tee, and complimenting her calm, composed manner, given her relative youth. Van Wie was named AP Woman Athlete of the Year in 1934.
Traung was the first person to reach a USGA event final while representing the Club. She became a regular presence at the national level, playing in all the major tournaments throughout the country. She competed against the elite golfers of her day, many of whom reached Hall of Fame status and became the foundation for the professional women’s tour.
She represented the Club for almost thirty years. Traung’s championship titles include the San Francisco City, the Northern California, the California State, the Pebble Beach, the Mid-Winter in Southern California, the Mason-Dixon, the Berthlelly Cup, the Annual Mixed Scotch Foursome, and the Women’s Western Amateur.
Traung was an eight-time Olympic Club women’s golf champion.
