Name: Gary Lehman
Hometown: Danbury, Conn.
Club: Richter Park Golf Course
Age: 63
Handicap Index: 6.2
Former school teacher and current Danbury resident Gary Lehman has turned his retirement into an opportunity to work in the golf industry as both a member of the MGA Field Team and as a recruiter for the MGA Foundation’s student internship program, GOLFWORKS. Lehman, who is the president of the Richter Park Golf Course Men’s Club, also finds the time to run a screen printing business and manages to squeeze in more than 150 rounds of golf throughout the year. MGAgolf.org caught up with Lehman to discuss his passion for the game and his roles with the MGA.
How long have you been playing golf?
A friend of mine got me involved during my second year of college in 1968 and it’s been a love affair ever since. I lived on Long Island and played at Eisenhower Park and all the courses at Bethpage State Park, including the Black Course.
In addition to his duties with the MGA, Lehman serves as president of Richter Park Golf Course Men’s Club
We have a membership of just over 300 players and a 13-tournament schedule, so I oversee the whole operation of our club. We have four elected officials –President, Vice president, Secretary and Treasurer—and five Board members, usually people who have served as officials in prior years, so we can use their expertise and knowledge. We make all the decisions for the membership, like the formats and scheduling for each of our tournaments.
Where else do you play besides Richter Park and how often do you get the chance to play?
I have the opportunities to play all over! Last year I played 178 rounds, and that’s because I have a very loving wife.
You are an MGA Foundation GOLFWORKS recruiter and member of the MGA Field Team. How did you become so involved with the MGA?
I just love golf. I worked for four years as Event Coordinator for The First Tee of Metropolitan New York (TFTMNY). My friend and golfing buddy Ted Schecter, who’s very involved with TFTMNY, introduced me to [TFTMNY] Executive Director Barry McLaughlin. Being a retired teacher, I liked working with kids, and combined with my passion of golf it was a perfect fit. While at The First Tee I connected with [MGA Foundation Operations Manager] Lou Cutolo, who thought I would be a good fit with my educational background to become a GOLFWORKS recruiter, which introduced me to other opportunities at the MGA. I’ve given up my role with The First Tee only because of other time commitments, wanting to play golf and working too much.
What do you enjoy most about being a member of the Field Team?
I really enjoy seeing some unbelievably talented golfers in the Met Area. There are players who create shots and do things on a golf course that I can only dream about doing, and everyone I’ve met out there in MGA competitions have been really nice people.
What do you enjoy most as a GOLFWORKS recruiter?
I love the GOLFWORKS program and I like the relationships I have with the kids participating in the program. Last year, I had 39 students working at 17 clubs and you meet kids and you get a feel for them based on how you think they’re going to do, how knowledgeable they are, how polite they are and their willingness to work. It’s a great opportunity for them and I’ve had some kids who have been possibly “borderline,” where they needed the right opportunity at the right place and thankfully they come through and do well and end up on the right path because of their internships.
What steps are you taking with participating kids and clubs as the season draws near?
I’m starting to get in touch with kids and clubs that participated during the 2011 season to see if they intend to return in 2012. I’ve already received a few commitments, but I’ll see which clubs have a need for employees and begin the recruiting process, which involves going to various schools and local community centers within the area of each golf club.
You’re a retired school teacher, but you also run a small business. Tell us a little bit more about that.
I have a screen printing business called Spectrum Screen Printing and we produce shirts, jackets, and hats on a contract basis. It’s been a great side job, as most teachers have something they do on the side, and was something I did before getting involved in the golf business. It’s helped pay for my three kids to go to college and for me to go on vacation and play golf. It’s nice that it’s not a retail business, so I’m not married to it.
You always have the latest technologies in your golf bag. Do you have anything to say about your knowledge of equipment and your hobby of golf club repair?
I worked for Stony Hill Custom Golf for three years doing club repairs and I learned a lot about various clubs, component parts and what goes into making a golf club, and I like to tinker, so it was a natural fit. The people I play with will tell you, “If you want to see what’s new, look in Gary’s bag, and six months later look in Ted Schecter’s bag—because Ted has bought it from Gary, and Gary’s got the newer version!”
