Kim was an extremely kind, compassionate and gentle soul while guiding so many local golfers and many, many youth with their golf games. He had a special way of connecting with people and encouraged them however he could.

While he spent much of his golf career as a professional, he was also a very good player. In 1973 the EDGA added the Match Play Championship as a major to the annual schedule. A week after turning 20, Kim took to the links at the Erie Golf Club and qualified for the match play. His opening match was against that year’s low qualifier, Dave Ciacchini, who he took down easily 4&3. After winning 3 more matches, Kupniewski faced recent Gannon grad, Harry Boback, Jr. in the 36-hole final. Boback, who was the co-medalist in the qualifier proved to be too much, scoring 7 birdies and an eagle, leaving the 128-pound Kupniewski as the runner up to Boback’s 5-under par play. He returned to match play 2 years later, advancing to the quarter finals at Lawrence Park and did play one more year, in 1977.

Kim also competed in a number of EDGA Amateur Championships while in his early 20’s. In 1975, he was just one shot off the lead heading into the final round and finished in 3rd place, 3 shots off Gene George’s winning score. It was George’s second consecutive title. He had two other top-20 finishes in the event over his short period as a young amateur.

Kim played for Cathedral Prep, graduating in 1971. In 1968 Kupniewski as a 15 year old freshman at Prep, he helped the Ramblers complete an undefeated season of 12-0, winning the City Championship. That same year, after a runner-up finish in the Erie Golf Club junior championships, he traveled to Coral Gables, Fla. with his teammate and lifelong friend, Ray Massing, to compete in the Orange Bowl International Junior Golf Championships. Their time in the Sunshine State also provided them an opportunity to attend the Orange Bowl parade and they also attended the Orange Bowl, where Oklahoma defeated Tennessee 26-24.

The ’69 Prep team was led by both Massing, Dario Cipriani and Kupniewski, going 14-2 overall and finished as the City Champions once again with just a lone loss to McDowell. Kim was fortunate enough to travel with his best bud, Massing, to Hershey to compete in the Pennsylvania State Junior Amateur at the Hershey Country Club. Both advanced to match play.

In 1970, as a junior, Kim claimed medalist honors at Erie where Prep defeated McDowell. During that round of 71, he scored a hole-in-one on the par 3 sixth hole. He swept Tom Hixenbaugh for 4 points, the only Rambler to turn that feat in that match. The team finished undefeated again (12-0) to claim the City (Lake Shore) championship. EDGA Hall of Famer, Dave Smith was part of the 1970 team. Rick Chartraw and Steve Scrafford joined the traveling juniors as the now foursome traveled throughout Pa, Ohio and New York playing in junior events.

As a senior, Kupniewski played with Massing, Smith, Tom Amendola, J.L. Cox, Bruce Chase, Dave Roscher and others. They completed yet another undefeated season bringing Cathedral Prep’s overall record during Kim’s 4 years to 50-2 and 4 league championships which also included a 35 consecutive match win streak. While still juniors, Massing and Kupniewski headed south of Pittsburgh to compete in the 36-hole Pa State Catholic Golf Championships. In addition to his stellar play, Kim also maintained all of the team’s stats with the assistance of Ray’s dad, Archie Massing. This is a skill that would serve him well over his career in the golf industry.

During those same high school years, Kupniewski was a force and solid performer for the Erie Golf Club team in Junior Interclub. Several junior interclub titles were won with both Kupniewski and Massing leading the way, including 1969, 70 and 71.

Later he went on to study at Mercyhurst College and graduated in 1978. Kupniewski was a member of the Men’s Golf team from 1973-77. He led the team with a 77.6 scoring average in his freshman season of 1973 and, after taking a year off, again led the Lakers in scoring average in 1975. He graduated in 1978 with a degree in Law Enforcement. Kupniewski was inducted into the Mercyhurst University Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.

Before taking taking over the golf professional position in 1982 at the Downing Golf Club, he worked at Glenwood both on the greenskeeping staff and later as an assistant to George Munro, Glenwood’s pro. He also served time as an assistant pro at the Kahkwa Club, where, during his term he was involved with the Greater Erie Charity Golf Classic. He then served at Downing for 25 years until leaving in 2007. It was that year that Whispering Woods opened and he became part of the staff at this newest golf club in Erie. He remained there, still giving lessons and working in the pro shop until his health declined to the point at which he could no longer do it. His departure also opened up other opportunities, including taking over as the head coach for the McDowell High School boys golf team in 2008. Kim also spent some time assisting Rich Burlett at Harbor Ridge and also worked for the Pennsylvania Business Retention and Expansion program.

During his tenure he was very active within the EDGA serving as the tournament chairman for the EDGA Match Play Championship for over a decade. Kim regularly attended the EDGA’s semi-annual association meetings, always being available to provide helpful and insightful guidance to further the purpose and mission of the community focused organization. He was inducted into the Erie District Golf Association Hall of Fame in 2006.

Kim is survived by his wife of 48 years, Cathy Miller Kupniewski, his two children, Sonny and Bob and two grandchildren, Lucca and Siena.