Grand Haven Mens Golf Assoc.

Please congratulate Bob Wolfe on his selection as Spotlight Golfer for April/May, 2013. Bob is, and has long been, an active MGA member and accomplished golfer.

Bob has been a frequent contender in the MGA’s shoot-out, and has posted consistent handicap improvement in the past year. His accomplishments also include winning the Member/Member championship in 2003 and 2004 with playing partner, Ken Caputo. He has also been the White Division flight champion in 2004, 2006 and 2007. Bob had not played golf before moving to Grand Haven in 2002, and took his first golf lesson at an Florida Adult Education class from golf pro, Paul Trettner, who had earlier been one of Bob’s high school students.

Bob was born in Brooklyn, NY and grew up in Cambria Heights, Queens, NY. He attended Archbishop Molloy HS and then Hunter College. He earned both a Masters in Physical Education from Hunter College and also a Masters in Educational Leadership and Administration from C.W. Post. Bob played lots of baseball and basketball growing up and he played basketball for 3 years in college. Bob organized and played basketball regularly in several adult leagues, last competing when he was 56; and continued on a more casual basis, until playing his last pick-up game when he was 62.

Bob taught Physical Education for 9 years at Julia Richman High School in NYC, and then for 24 years at Shoreham-Wading River High School in the town of the same name on the east end of Long Island. Bob was one of the first teachers in NYC to teach a co-ed Physical Education class before the advent of Title IX. At SWR, Bob introduced Project Adventure to the curriculum and helped train other teachers throughout Long Island on how to implement Project Adventure in their districts. Bob has been married to Carol for more than 30 years and they have 2 children, both teachers at Matanzas High School. James teaches English and coaches Cross Country and Track and Field. Louise is a Math teacher looking to move into Administration and currently coaches Golf and Lacrosse. Even after retiring, Bob has continued to coach while living in Florida. Bob is now in his 46th year of coaching, assisting his son James with his track team. Bob has coached several sports throughout his career including Handball, Track and Field, and Basketball. While coaching Basketball on Long Island, he was named Coach of the Year on several occasions. Bob currently teaches an online fitness class and an online health class for the Flagler County Schools.

Back in 2001, while Bob and Carol were on a "where to retire" trip, they stopped to visit Tom and Michele Bagnoli here in Grand Haven. Tom and Bob were classmates at Hunter College, and then taught together at Julia Richman for 8 years. After driving up and down the east coast, Bob and Carol returned and bought in Grand Haven, and moved here in 2002. Both children were still in college. On a Christmas visit to Florida the children stated they would rather visit us here in Grand Haven than on Long Island because the community was like living at a resort. After moving here Bob met Steve Samuel at a party, and discovered that they had been in the same 5th grade class in elementary school. Steve’s wife, Sue, found a class photo of them, and remarked that Bob still looked the same, only a tiny bit older!

Having played for so many years in a competitive sports atmosphere, Bob’s joining the GHMGA was a no-brainer. He thoroughly enjoys the games and camaraderie of the GHMGA. To him, the most important aspect of his life has been his family. Watching his kids become successful adults before his eyes has been a great experience. Also following in their father’s footsteps, his son James has been named Coach of the Year three times and his daughter, Louise once.

Please join us in recognizing Bob for his many accomplishments, his loyal participation and on his very deserving selection as our Spotlight Golfer.