11/13/2025
Some of you may not know that before Coach was involved in golf, he was an amazing three-sport athlete in high school. The second of seven children in a Catholic family with four brothers and two sisters, Coach was always well beyond his peers. He possessed a keen sports strategy instinct. A laser-focused ability to assess the defense and lead the offense were his trademark characteristics. Coach had innate speed and quickness that dazzled spectators, impressed his coaches, and won the respect of his teammates. If you get a chance, ask him to tell you the story of when he was in high school and ran the 100-yard dash in record time, beating a classmate who went on to compete in the Olympics!!! Always a team player, with his natural speed and quickness, he was a force to be reckoned with on the football field. As a running back, he had NFL-style spins and moves that left his opponents shaking their heads in awe as he ran the field scoring numerous touchdowns and extra points. Of course, now you are wondering why didn’t Coach go on to play college football? Unfortunately, Coach had a career-ending shoulder injury during a high school football game. In the 1970s, before physical therapy rehab was even a thing, Coach had to have surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff, which prematurely ended his football career.
Without missing a beat, Coach focused his talents on the baseball field. For many years, he held the record for bunts and stolen bases in High School Class A Baseball!! Later in life, he transitioned his swing mechanics to a golf swing so he could enjoy the sport with his children. Many fun hours were spent honing skills on the golf course across the road from our house and later at The Elks golf course. It wasn’t uncommon for Coach and the kids to wander over to the golf course after hours and play until they could no longer see their golf balls. Coach made competition fun by promising the kids pop or candy for longest drive, closest to the pin, and fewest putts. Lots of laughs were shared and so many happy memories made.
Coach has the memory of an elephant and the ability to recall precise moments of sporting events!! This skill created opportunities to evaluate and discuss club choices and pin placement conversations after their matches. The skills he taught our children on the golf course and in other sports remain with them today, as they are each a force to be reckoned with in their own ways. After our children went off to college, Coach took pride in continuing to inspire and teach young golfers for 20 years as a Supervisor and Director of Flint Junior Golf Association.
As you have probably noticed, Coach is a numbers person. He can tell you the speed and direction of the wind, the distance in yards to your ball, add your scores in record time, and give stats at the snap of your finger. So it’s not surprising in his downtime Coach enjoys playing cards. There are no words to describe his level of competitiveness when he has cards in his hand! Don’t let those baby blue eyes fool you; this man is a shark at the card table!! As I previously mentioned, his astute memory gives him an advantage over other card players. You can bet the mortgage he remembers what cards have been played and who played them! Not only is he a great partner, he’s an intimidating opponent.
Okay, enough about Coach as a Coach. Everyone is probably wondering, what’s it like to be married not only to a Coach but your Coach? Well… we have been married for 45 years and together for 49. He is the most gentle, kindest human I have ever met. Coach is a great husband and wonderful father. He would give you the shirt off his back, the food off his plate, the shoes off his feet…… you get my drift. Life has thrown us curveballs over the years, and Coach has navigated us safely through the storms of life.
Please know, Coach sees each one of you ladies as an extension of our family. He deeply cares about you and helping you sharpen your golf and life skills so you are prepared to write your own life story.
Much love to everyone and especially our loving Coach, affectionately known as Dad.
Miss Terri
