Bettencourt member of Hawai'i Golf Hall

Advertiser Staff

David "Bones" Bettencourt, a Hawai'i Golf Hall of Fame inductee in 1999, died March 16 at St. Francis Medical Center-West. He was 86.

The popular left-hander with a bone-thin physique had a brilliant career that started from humble beginnings.

Bettencourt won the Manoa Cup, Kaua'i, Maui and Hilo opens and helped Hawai'i win the 1961 U.S. Public Links team championship with Hung Soo Ahn and Owen Douglass — who are both Hall of Fame members. Bettencourt tied a qualifying record by shooting 72-65.

Bettencourt's golf career began as a caddy at five-hole Ala Wai Golf Course in the 1930s. He defeated opponents with borrowed and adapted golf clubs and played barefoot until the late Francis I'i Brown, a 1988 Hall of Fame member, purchased him shoes.

"I've played golf since I was 12, Bettencourt said at the time of his Hall of Fame induction. "Never stopped. I was born into it. All I ever thought about was golf."

Bettencourt continued his golfing excellence into his golden years. He shot his age, 67, at the Ala Wai Golf Course in 1986.

Bettencourt was born on Dec. 29, 1918 in Honolulu. He is survived by his wife, Mary; son, David "Neil"; stepson, Blair Johnson; daughter, Carmen Simanteris; twin sister, Catherine Howland; and five grandchildren.

Visitation will be at 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. Tuesday at Diamond Head Mortuary. Service will be at 9:45 a.m. followed by entombment at Diamond Head Memorial Park. Donations may be made to Honolulu Elks Club 616, building fund.