Grand Haven Mens Golf Assoc.

Bob Deal was born in Toccoa, GA and lived in the beautiful mountains of North Georgia until he was 8, when his late parents, Maurice and Elizabeth Deal moved to Charlotte, NC.  Bob’s love for golf started at age 12, when his father enrolled him in the junior league at Myers Park Country Club. He is thankful for the many fond memories playing golf with both of his parents. After graduating from Myer’s Park High School in 1972, Bob joined Theta Chi Fraternity at Presbyterian College. Despite his many fraternity “adventures” he still managed to graduate on the Deans list in 1976, majoring in Business Management.

Having grown up working summer’s at Charlotte Tank Truck, a company his father started that built propane delivery trucks, Bob started his career in the propane industry in 1976 in management of a retail propane company in North Georgia. In 1983, he moved to Orlando to start the southern manufacturing operation of Charlotte Tank Trucks. Close friends from the propane industry, invited him to a July 4th party in Boca Raton, where the sparks started when he walked in Debbie’s front door! They were married in 1987 and built a home at Windermere Country Club, where they lived until 1991, before returning to North Georgia.  They were one of the first families to build in The Orchard in Clarkesville, GA. where they lived and were blessed to raise their family for 25 years, overlooking the 14th fairway, with panoramic mountain and lake views. Bob had his first Hole in One on this Dan Maples designed course on hole #13, April 8, 2001.

While in Georgia, Bob was a Red Cross Disaster Team Captain for 2 counties in North Georgia. He is about to complete his 25th gallon of blood donated.  His son Robert Jr. and wife Hillary live in the Atlanta area with two grandchildren, Porter 4 and Greer 8. Both are working in the medical information industry.

During their Grand Cayman Island honeymoon, Bob had the opportunity to experience Cayman Golf where the balls go half the distance of regular balls and float! It was an 18 hole Jack Nicklaus course. Debbie and Bob also experienced Cayman scuba diving which started a love for the underwater adventures. During their son’s family high school graduation trip, they did a shark dive where Bob wore a chain-mesh protective suit to feed the sharks, while Robert watched. All fingers and limbs still attached!
Missing the Florida sunshine and ocean, they purchased a Flagler Beach condo in 2001. It was then Bob first played Grand Haven several times before the course became private. After several Bike Week visits, he decided it was never too late to learn to ride a motorcycle and purchased his first Harley at 49! Have enjoyed many bike trips on Blue Ridge mountains and out west, including going around the Grand Canyon, Sturgis, Utah, S. Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and Wisconsin. Still hoping to ride in all lower 48 states before giving up Harley.

Bob first walked on the Old Course at St. Andrews in 1976 during a tour of England and Scotland but did not play golf. He returned in 1997 and played the Old Course twice as well as several other courses. Enjoyed a 77 on The Old Course. Played Waterville, Royal Portrush, Ballybunion while in Ireland in 2002, with two eagles. His bucket list includes playing Pebble Beach, which he is hoping to do next year.  Let him know if you are interested in joining him on this trip!

Bob moved full time to Flagler Beach in 2013, joined Rutherford Equipment as Florida sales rep until he retired in August 2018. After building their retirement home in Palm Coast Plantation, Bob joined Grand Haven in March 2020. Having been away from the game for over 3 years due to health issues, he is enjoying the camaraderie of the MGA members and plays in a Thursday and Saturday group. He had his second Hole in One in an MGA event, July 22, 2020 on hole 14. “The support and encouragement from my fellow members are helping me to regain my golf skills.  Grand Haven is a course I could play every day!”