Grand Haven Mens Golf Assoc.

They say there is a rustle in the trees of the Grand Haven Golf Course where at a certain time of day one may hear the sound of song, permeating the air. Some say it is a mystical haunting, while others know better…it’s Mike Tebbano! Our Third Quarter 2015 Spotlight Golfer is none other than our own answer to Pavarotti, Sinatra, and Soupy Sales…“Magic Mike” Tebbano. 

Mike is from Schenectady, New York, where General Electric had the biggest turbine plant in the world. He was always interested in music and eventually attended the Crane School of Music, State University College at Potsdam, New York where he earned degrees in Music Education.  Following college he taught music in school districts around Albany, New York. He also began composing music for various occasions and organizations including the State University of New York, the Albany Catholic Diocese, and others. His notable achievements as a composer involved writing and directing the music for the wedding of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver (1986), scoring the soundtrack to cartoons on Sesame Street and Nickelodeon, and writing the theme song for General Electric commercials in the 1980’s (“GE, We Bring Good Things to Life”). 

Over time though, interest in being actively involved in music began to fade as working with children in schools took precedence.  He became a music department administrator and discovered a new passion, educational leadership. This led him to become a curriculum supervisor, an elementary principal and earning a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies at Seton Hall University. He was then promoted to High School Principal, then Assistant Superintendent for Educational Programs, and eventually Superintendent of Schools, all in the same district. His meteoric rise to top educator in the Bethlehem Central School District was a thrilling ride, and quite challenging amid the economic turmoil effecting schools at this time. 

After retiring, Mike and his wife Sheila moved to Palm Coast.  They both have taken up golf and are students of the game. He has taken lessons with Jason Bench and Dane Winger but his best teachers are the wonderful guys he has had the good fortune of playing with in the MGA. In talking with Mike he once said “I suppose I should be embarrassed being such a poor golfer in comparison to some outstanding people in the MGA, but I have learned so much being on the course with such excellent golfers. I keep learning something new every time I play.” 

Mike and Sheila have been married 40 years this August, and have three children and three grandchildren that are a big part of their lives. Besides continuing to play golf in Grand Haven, Mike is an adjunct professor of Educational Leadership at the Jacksonville campus of the University of Phoenix. He is also a member of the Community Chorus of Palm Coast and is an active member of the International Enerqi of Palm Coast where he studies Tai Chi and Qigong.  Mike is the newest member on the MGA Board serving as Tournament Communications Guru writing the “View from the Bunker” each week with Larry Geiser. 

We are all honored to have Mike as a golfing companion and friend. He is an asset to the Grand Haven Community and Clubhouse. Let’s all congratulate Mike next time you see him.