Grand Haven Mens Golf Assoc.

Please congratulate Mike O'Brien on his selection as Spotlight Golfer for August/September 2013. Mike joined Grand Haven Club in the last year and has been an active MGA Member.

Mike O’Brien was born in Evanston, Illinois. Much of his youth was spent in Decatur, Illinois. During this time, Mike enjoyed all sports; he played football and baseball in high school. While lifeguarding during the summer, he met his future wife, Nancy.

Mike then attended Joliet Jr. College where he was a starting member of the State Championship Baseball Team. Mike graduated from Western Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Masters Degree in Guidance and Counseling.

During this time Mike served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for Educational Psychology Classes; and during the summer, served as an Ecology Teaching Guide for Alaskan Educational Tours. Mike continued his education at Northern Illinois University earning a second Master’s Degree, and an Educational Doctorate Degree in Curriculum and Supervision. For two summers, Mike served as head of the Upward Bound Program at Lewis University. Mike had many jobs, all within the same school district, throughout his career. He taught high school Biology, coached varsity baseball and varsity wrestling, served as an assistant high school athletic director, initiated both the alternative school and evening school programs for adults and "at risk" students in the Valley View School District. Mike served as a department head, dean and counselor for the emotionally handicapped students of the district. Mike then ended his 34 years in education as a high school guidance department head and a Driver’s Education teacher. Mike and his wife, Nancy, who also retired after 34 years of teaching, moved to Grand Haven; a place highly recommended by their daughter.

Mike and Nancy have been married for 46 years and have two children, a son, Patrick, deceased, and a daughter, Lori, currently employed, (yay), as an engineer for NASA. Mike and Nancy are also very proud of their two grandsons, Sean (17) and Marc (14), with whom they enjoy travel adventures at least once or twice a year. In 2004, Mike and Nancy were welcomed into Grand Haven with friendly faces, friendly waves and not-so-friendly "four" hurricanes.

Since Mike is an avid Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs fan, golf provides only a minor frustration! Mike has welcomed not only the sport of golf into his life, but also has developed friendships that extend beyond the golf course and has had many unique experiences. One experience that "put him in his place", was getting a Hole in One, and being told by a close friend that he should really be happy because many "good" golfers don’t get a hole in one. HMMMM....... On another occasion, there was some confusion as to WHICH ball to play when a playing partner hit a ball into a palm tree and not one, but "three" golf balls fell out of the tree?????? Also, who would have thought that Mike would not only lose golf balls "on his own", but that a bird would swoop down and pick up his golf ball, or that he would hit a baby duck waddling across the fairway--the duck survived, but its mom was mad!!!

Mike and Nancy love Grand Haven and all it has to offer. According to Mike and Nancy, Grand Haven is not just a place to live, but a lifestyle. They are active in golf, tennis, club trivia, volunteering at Saint Vincent DePaul and walking their dog, Wrigley. Mike feels the strongest asset of Grand Haven is the tremendous support provided by everyone. The GHMGA has been a great experience, and Mike truly appreciates the association providing support and welcoming him into the Grand Haven Golf Community.

Please join us in recognizing Mike for his many life accomplishments, his loyal participation and on his deserving selection as the Spotlight Golfer.