Nobody calls Mrs. Gomard by her first name, not even the grandparents, who are there helping years after their grandchildren have grown up. Everyone has been scolded by Mrs. Gomard, including the parents. They get a kick out of it. To be scolded by Mrs. Gomard is to receive the gift of her knowledge and caring.

Iwalani Gomard, 77, has been running the junior golf program at the Hickam Air Force Base Par 3 Course for 30 years. Her golfers have included Stephanie Kono and Mari Chun. Her current roster includes 10-year-old Allisen Corpuz, who this summer became the youngest ever to qualify for the US Women's Amateur Public Links.

Good golfing is important, but good behavior is the bottom line. There is no club-throwing under Mrs. Gomard's watch, no swearing, no monkeying around and no holding up the next group. Any misbehavior results in a quick dismissal.

Most of the children take lessons elsewhere or have a relative who has taught them the game. Mrs. Gomard's program runs by word-of-mouth. Everyone is screened before being admitted, both the child and the parents. It's not about who you are or how you golf, it's about how you behave.

"Some parents won't take someone lecturing their child," she says.

Parents can walk with their child, caddy and tend the flag, but they can't get in the way.

"Leave the child to me," she commands.

Thirty years ago, her husband, avid golfer and former UH football player Richard "Skippy" Gomard, was asked if he would help with the Hickam junior golf program. Mr. Gomard said no, but Mrs. Gomard said yes. She had studied judo as a young woman and she brought that background of discipline to her golf program.

There is no tuition for Mrs. Gomard's program. She does this strictly as a volunteer. The parents pay $4.50 for nine holes of golf. At the annual Iwalani Gomard tournament, Mrs. Gomard buys all the prizes herself. She doesn't believe in giving trophies or candy. Her prizes are always groceries. If a child makes a birdie during practice, they get something like a can of corn or a box of juice.

Sam Rodriguez, now a student at Saddleback College in California, started with Mrs. Gomard when he was 6.

"Golfers in their mid- to late 30s remember her," Rodriguez says. "They go, 'Don't tell me she's still there!' "

For all the scolding, her "graduates" recall her dearly. To know her is to love her, and to obey her.

Says Rodriguez, "Nobody is going to question Mrs. Gomard."

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.