Golf instructor earns spot in Hall of Fame

Bullard, a renowned golf instructor for nearly 30 years in the region, recently broke a bone in his left leg, though he insisted his students won’t suffer for it.

"I’ve had a cast on it for a couple days," he said last week. "I’ll have to be on crutches, but I can teach sitting in a chair."

That kind of spirit and drive earned Bullard a spot in the Hall of Fame, where he will be joined in the Class of 2009 by nationally acclaimed UNLV men’s golf coach Dwaine Knight, former UNLV golf standout Edward Fryatt and noted writer, author and golf aficionado Jack Sheehan.

The foursome’s impending induction was announced June 30 during the official opening of the Hall’s permanent exhibit space at Las Vegas National Golf Club. They will be officially inducted at a ceremony held in conjunction with the PGA Tour’s Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, the week of Oct. 12-18.

"This is a nice thing that’s happened," Bullard said. "I’m gracious and grateful to be put in the Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame."

The honor was a long time in the making. Bullard, 64, was a scholarship player at Oklahoma State in the 1960s, then qualified for the PGA Tour and spent 1969 and 1970 playing at golf’s highest level.

In 1971, he started his teaching career at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla., taking a hiatus in 1975 to spend another full year on the PGA Tour.

As a man who sings as well as he fixes swings, Bullard moved to Las Vegas in 1978.

"I came out here because I was also a singer. I couldn’t get a job (here) in golf, but I had an eight-hour audition and got a job singing at the old Landmark hotel," said Bullard, displaying his self-deprecating sense of humor while alluding to the Landmark’s implosion in 1995. "Maybe if I sang at a bunch of other places, we could knock them down, too."

In 1980, he took over as director of entertainment, advertising and public relations at the Maxim Hotel, where he started a talent showcase that eventually became the model for television’s "Star Search" series — which ultimately led to the glut of talent shows on TV today.

Finally, in 1981, he landed back in golf, taking a teaching post at Las Vegas Golf Club. He’s bounced around town since then, to the old Sahara course (which has had several monikers but is now Las Vegas National, home of the Hall of Fame), Angel Park and Desert Pines, and he trotted around the world to teach in India and Indonesia. He’s now settled in at Palm Valley Golf Club in Sun City Summerlin.

"I’ve done it very quietly," Bullard said of building his Hall credentials. "I’ve been a real busy teacher, and that’s the one thing I’ve wanted to do. I’ve spent my time trying to help students, instead of promoting myself."

Had he done more promoting, he surely could have cashed in. His accomplishments as a golf teacher speak volumes.

"I’ve had close to 100 kids in my career who have gotten college scholarships," said Bullard, who also taught national long-drive champion Art Sellinger, among other heavy hitters. "Most of the stuff taught in long driving today came from me. At one point, my students held every long-drive record.

"All the time, I just kept on teaching. I should have capitalized on that. There’s not a golfer in the world who doesn’t want to hit the ball farther."

To capitalize on it, though, would have been out of character for Bullard.

"I’d say my No. 1 enjoyment in teaching has been teaching kids," he said. "I teach everybody from schmoes to pros. You can help adults get better, but you can change a kid’s life by keeping them on the course. That’s been the most rewarding part — the three generations of people I’ve taught here in town."

One of those students happens to be fellow inductee Fryatt, a star for the Rebels in the early 1990s who has had a lengthy and successful pro career, as well. Fryatt was among four nominees this year who were previously students of Bullard.

"Edward Fryatt was a world-class player, so I think that’s neat that I’m going in with him," Bullard said.

In fact, Bullard has strong ties to the entire 2009 class.

"Ed played for Dwaine Knight, and Dwaine’s going in, too," he said. "And Jack has written articles about me. I played golf with him, and he’s a friend. I’m just thrilled to be going in with this particular class."

It certainly made it worthwhile to wait another year for induction.

"I was up for (induction) last year and didn’t get voted in, and it was a few months ago that I was told I did get voted in this year," Bullard said. "Then I was told the rest of the class.

"I think the world of all of them. I’ve known people who’ve went into the Hall before me, too, and they’re all really great. Las Vegas has a wonderful history in golf. But this year is just really special, going in with those three guys."

For Bullard, though, this is hardly the culmination of his work. He has no intention of leaving his instructing career anytime soon.

"I really enjoy what I do, and I get to see people improve," he said. "It’s sort of like I’m the pilot flying their plane — I’m trying to navigate the ball for them.

"I have spent my life on the lesson tee, and probably taught more people than anybody. It’s everything to me."