Grand Haven Mens Golf Assoc.

 Lonnie grew up in Brooklyn, New York. He had aspirations of playing professional baseball. During high school, he played with many guys who went the route of professional baseball--Willie Randolph (Yankees), John Candelaria (Pirates), Pete Falcone (Cardinals) and Lee Mazzilli (Mets). Lonnie went to college and got injured and his baseball days were done.

 

     He realized he needed to do something with his brain so he went to law school in Maryland. The first deal he worked on after becoming a lawyer was the sale by the Hoffberger family of the Baltimore Orioles to Edward Bennett Williams. He shortly thereafter worked on the sale of the stud rights to the race horse named Spectacular Bid. He has also represented Beatriz Recari, a former LPGA player who won 3 times on the LPGA.

 

     Around 1996, he started doing the legal work for the endorsement and business interests for Cal Ripken, Jr and Bill Ripken. After Cal retired in 2001, Lonnie represented Cal and Bill in the purchase of minor league teams. Lonnie will tell you that his most favorite endeavor was to set up in 2001 and be involved with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, an organization set up in honor of Cal's dad. The Foundation's main mission is the development, education, training and character of underprivileged and underserved youths. The Foundation has built over 105 athletic facilities in communities throughout the United States. The Foundation now reaches over 1,000,000 children a year.

 

     Lonnie, who was known in the legal profession for his real estate and tax expertise (he spent about 80% of his time doing office parks, shopping centers and apartment complexes), will tell you that he feels very fortunate to have combined his love for sports and law during his practice of law.

 

     Lonnie has been married to Lyn Feinstein since 1983. They built their house in Grand Haven in 2008 and moved here on a permanent basis in 2015. When not playing golf (or hawking golf balls for the 1st Tee program), he is an avid reader and continues to be very active in the operations of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation.

 

     He will tell you that 30 years ago (and 30 pounds ago) he won 2 club championships in Maryland.