Getting to Know 2021 President Neal Pearson

Neal Pearson grew up in Oakland. He attended Oakland Technical High, of which alumni include the diverse group of John Brodie, Clint Eastwood and Huey Newton.

In 1968, he graduated from UC Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Zoology. After later graduating from the University of California-San Francisco Medical Center in 1972 he pursued his dental career as an associate in Alameda. In 1973 he started a solo practice which he still operates in San Leandro.

In 1985 Neal married Kathryn Boli, who relocated to his home in San Leandro with her two children, Katie and Andrew. Presently, baby sitting has become a second career to Katie’s two children and Andrew’s three.

Since 1976, Neal has been a member at Orinda Country Club. He has served on several committees including Greens, Tournaments and Membership. In 1994 he joined the Spyglass Hill Golf Club in Pebble Beach. With much sadness, the club expired in 2016 due to the club’s lease with the Pebble Beach Company having reached its end. He joined both the California Seniors Golf Association and Northern California Seniors Golf Association in 2001 as a wonderful way to play courses he could not otherwise enjoy. Kathryn has organized several fund raising events for the Cal Bears women’s golf team and both are contributors to the men’s and women’s Bears golf programs.

What are you looking forward to as president of the CSGA?

I am looking forward to playing the wonderful courses the CSGA organizes, although I would like to see more golfers from the north become members. I fully appreciate the wonderful support of our numerous Southern California members.

How did you first get started with golf?

My father was a golfer an I played once or twice a year at Tilden Park in Berkeley with my older brother Jay. Growing up my passion was baseball. I played on the Cal baseball team in my freshman year. After spending most of my time keeping the pine warm, I switched to golf and played on the golf team for three years.

What is your greatest golf memory or moment?

In 2009 I was lucky enough to win the CSGA tournament after bogeying the first six holes. I thoroughly enjoyed mu five trips to the United Kingdom and Ireland. On one occasion we watched the match play finals of the Irish Amateur. I watched a young high school junior who lapped the field at the West Port Golf Club. The kid was Rory McIlroy.

Anything with the game you would change?

Slow play is the bane of golf golf enjoyment. I’d like to see a time clock for the pros and more penalties for slow play. If you got a stroke penalty for every 5 or 10 minutes you played in 4 hours people would learn to play expediently.

What is your favorite course and why?

I don’t have a favorite but would take the back-nine at Hillside Golf Club in Great Britain. Every hole is totally different. fair and beautiful.

What influenced you to take up golf?

I spent several years learning from Ben Doyle, the first instructor of Homer Kelley’s book “The Golfing Machine.” Unfortunately, I was never able to capture the technique.

What do you enjoy doing besides golf?

I enjoy reading and history. Especially as it pertains to the Civil War and the decades prior. I used to enjoy going to Cal football and basketball games before the pandemic. Now I watch them on television along with the 49ers. My second career as a baby sitter to five grand children is a challenge.

Getting to Know 2020 President Fritz Sargent

Fritz Sargent grew up in Lakeland, Florida, and attended Clemson University, where he studied Construction and Engineering and received a B.S. in 1968.  He accepted a direct commission into the United States Army Transportation Corps, where he was an adjutant.  Afterward, he worked in Atlanta for several years in building contracting.  In 1973, he joined the Sea Pines Corporation in resort development for several years in the Carolinas, Florida and Virginia.  From 1978-1993, he worked in real estate development and condominium conversion in Norfolk and Richmond, VA.

Sargent, now 76, moved to La Jolla in 1993 after marrying Nora Desloge in Wilmington, NC, where we had a house on Figure Eight Island.  Presently the two live full time in La Jolla. His current SCGA index is 13.2, but as he states, ‘I’m working on that!’  Sargent and his wife do not have children but are the proud owners of five generations of golden retrievers.

Since 1997 he has been a member of La Jolla Country Club, serving as President in 2005-06.  He has also served on various committees, including chairing  House, and Long Range Planning.  In the past he’s been a member of Landfall Club, Wilmington, NC, and The Commonwealth Club, Richmond, VA.  Currently, Sargent is a member of the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club, and just resigned from Wade Hampton Golf Club, Cashiers, NC, as he and Nora travel less frequently to the east coast.  He considers the CSGA, which he joined in 2008, as an even more enjoyable part of my golf life – Great collegiality and a wonderful opportunity to play outstanding courses in California.

Sargent loves golf and tries to support young players through contributions here and to the golf program at Clemson University. He and his wife have underwritten the head golf coaching position at Clemson.

What are you looking forward to as Cal Seniors President? 

I anticipate supporting the game of golf by being involved in a fine organization that encourages competition on outstanding courses.  ‘Golf at any age’ usually refers to young players, but it also includes our generation at CSGA.  It’s an honor to support the board in selecting great courses for our tournaments.

How did you first get started with golf?

As a high school kid I caddied at the local municipal course with a few friends.  We didn’t play but got to know the basics for the game.  I’m still pretty good at finding balls!  Then at Clemson my roommate was on a golf scholarship.  His family owned a golf course in Connecticut that would become TPC-River Highlands.  Visiting in the summer, I became hooked and purchased my first set of clubs,”Spaulding Elites,” in 1966.

What is your greatest golf memory or moment?

Winning the member guest at Wade Hampton, my club in Cashiers, NC. Playing golf for a week in Scotland with my brother and his two sons (who are scratch golfers.)

Anything you would change with the game?

Increase the penalty for slow play.

What is your favorite course and why?

Wade Hampton Golf Club in Cashiers, NC is my favorite.  It is Tom Fazio’s home course and has been rated Top Mountain Course in the US.  It’s challenging and beautiful, and a great pleasure to play with the members.

What courses are still on your wish list?  

Pine Valley and Fishers Island.  I’ve played Cypress several times but it’s never enough!

Who was your biggest golf influence?  

My college roommate gave me the opportunity of a total immersion in golf.  Working on his father’s course, we would mow grass and rake bunkers at 5:30 am.  Later we cleaned up and started hitting balls.  Ground up, so to speak.  I have taken what must be hundreds of lessons, but it was those full work/play days that instilled my love of golf.

What do you enjoy doing besides golf?

I really enjoy following Clemson University football.  Travel is on my list, also gardening, and of course “honey-do’s” – yeah right !