Getting to Know 2024 President Tony Lehman

Tony Lehman shares time between Santa Barbara and Palm Springs and is a 1969 graduate of Sacramento State where he played on the golf team. He was a sales representativre for a Napa winery in Southern California  Turning down a move led to a priceless experience of caddying for touring pro and friend Brian Allin for a dozen tournaments in 1975 -76.
Returning to Santa Barbara with insight from the best tour players, I won the Santa Barbara City and was recruited into real estate in 1977.  

 It is an honor handling the gavel as President of the CSGA. I want to maintain the good reputation of CSGA in this 80th year. We encourage North and South golfers to play friendly competition and  enjoy the camaraderie. We work rotating the best golf venues, however  access to some desirable courses is challenging, but with the dedication of our team  we have wonderful courses this year.  Tony married  his wife, Jeanne after, golfing guru Fred Shoemaker set up a golf date in 1977.  

What do you enjoy about giving back to the game?: This is my 35th year as a course rater for the SCGA in the desert. I love the leadership and the great team of passionate golfers that take the job to heart.  

 How did you first get started with golf?:  I was introduced to golf with a grip lesson at 11 years old. A year later our pro took me to play Riviera in the Hearst Jr tourney.  Today the First Tee helps juniors from all back grounds get  started with life skills as well as golf skills to grow the game.  We bear our souls  during a golf game. Golf  gave me direction, college, a job, friendships and a game for a lifetime.   

 What do you enjoy about golf?:  Golf is one of the few sports where your demeanor and deportment are showcased. If you play golf correctly you will have friends for a lifetime. I continued to play invitationals and club championships, State Amateurs are in the past.  

What is your greatest memory/golf moment?: Playing in the 2004 USGA Senior Amateur at Bel-Air. The class of everything from locker room to course and officials. Attending a special dinner with dignitaries for the sweet sixteen players. It was an over achievement as I trounced a couple top players before losing to the champion.  

What’s your favorite course?: Cypress Point for beauty, serenity, and shots,  even in the State Am.  The Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland. Over 20  years I saw all parts of the course come into play.  

Anything you would change with golf?: Seven clubs is plenty for links golf, 9 clubs for parkland.  

 What do you enjoy other than playing golf?:  Lawn Bowls, it reminds me of lag putting with stymies, plus it has a built in draw! Birding goes well with the many varied venues we play for golf.  

 What’s your dream Foursome?; Fred Couples, Huey Lewis,and Vince Gill.  Love their demeanor.