Favorite Mom Is a Big Draw

There is no doubt which player will have the largest gallery in Monday’s qualifying tournament for the Los Angeles Women’s championship at Oakmont Country Club in Glendale.

Cherrie Zaun has won several women’s club championship titles at Oakmont and has a career-best round of two-over-par 74 there.

“I’m a little nervous,” said Zaun, who had a brief career as a professional golfer 20 years ago. “I’ve been a professional mommy for 20 years.”

Zaun, the mother of Florida Marlin catcher Greg Zaun and sister of former Dodger catcher Rick Dempsey, was the women’s golf coach at USC last year. She gave that up to start playing again.

“Being on the road with the team drove me crazy,” she said. “I wanted to take the clubs from [the players] and hit the shots myself.”

Zaun received one of two amateur invitations into the qualifying tournament. The other went to 17-year-old Nicole Dalkas of Palm Desert, one of the top junior players in the state.

Zaun said the Oakmont members following her around will lighten her up.

“I’m a ham,” she said. “My whole family is a bunch of hams.”

The qualifying tournament begins at 8 a.m.

Event Seeks Volunteers

Greg Frederick, head professional at Oakmont, is looking for volunteers for the tournament.

Frederick said he needs marshals and standard bearers--the people who carry score signs with each foursome.

Interested parties can contact Frederick at (818) 542-4292.