Golf was the passion for this Kalakaua course fixture
Larry Ordonio, a PGA professional for 40 years in Hawaii, died May 9 at the age of 69. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Pearl City, with visitation at 10 a.m.
Ordonio grew up golfing with Leilehua classmate Bev Kim and the Rego and Kono families at Hawaii Country Club. After a short stint at culinary school, Ordonio worked at the course in Kunia, along with Ford Island, Mililani Golf Club and Hawaii Kai. He was head pro at Kalakaua, moving to Nagorski for a short time in the late '90s before retiring at Kalakaua in 2004.
In the midst of teaching and administrative duties, Ordonio won the Aloha Section Stroke Play championship in 1981 and reached two Aloha Section Match Play finals. He defeated Mike Matheny to win in 1978 and fell to Ron Castillo a year later.
Ordonio married his wife, Aurora, in 1968 and she fully appreciated how much he liked golf, in large part because she loved watching him play.
"I let him do it because that was his love. You can't take that away," Aurora said. "I'll miss watching him compete in golf. I loved it, through the ups and downs, whether he won or not, it was fine with me.
"I came first, but he loved golf. We both love golf."
The Ordonios have two children — Lawrence Ordonio Jr. and Katrina Florez — and five grandchildren. Larry also leaves a sister, Cora Ordonio.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
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