Local golf pro celebrates 25th year at Gilroy Golf Course
GILROY — In his 25 years at Gilroy Golf Course, Don DeLorenzo has formed countless relationships with hundreds, probably thousands.
Sitting inside his office on a hot Wednesday in Gilroy, DeLorenzo peeked out of his door to say hello to a young man renewing his annual membership to the golf course.
“How long have you been coming here,” DeLorenzo shouted.
With a smile the now-20-year-old responded, “Probably since I was 5.”
Not an unusual moment for the course’s general manager; on the surface a simple interaction, but beyond the salutations, it was so much more. As clear as day, there it was. The reason why DeLorenzo is in this line of work.
“It’s all about the people,” DeLorenzo said with a tone full of honesty. “The people that come through make it for you. There’s a lot of golf courses out there and there’s a lot of competition for that dollar. If we can turn a customer into a friend, then he’s more than just a customer.
“One of the main things that I wanted to keep throughout the years is keeping the old-time camaraderie, the “Cheers” where everybody knows your name type of thing, alive, with out being too cliquey.”
At the age of 9, DeLorenzo learned how to play golf out on the links of GGC.
Taught by Vern Brown, who was the course pro at the time, DeLorenzo immediately found himself at home. His first par came on the picturesque Par 3 eighth hole, a violent downhill 200-plus yard challenge.
“Back in the days it was all hard-panned and you hit the ball off the edge and it would just roll and roll and roll,” he said.
Perhaps it was then that he realized his life would one day lead him back to the “oldest public golf course in Santa Clara County” as the general manager of Gilroy Golf Course.
The thought may have been spurred a few years down the road, DeLorenzo doesn’t exactly recall when. It doesn’t matter, really, after all, he’s there now.
“I really thought when I was a kid growing up that I’d really like to do this,” DeLorenzo said. “So I can’t say that is was a big stretch. When the opportunity came I said yeah.”
In 1985, DeLorenzo, a Gilroy High School graduate in 1976, became the golf pro and took over daily operations at GGC. He was 27.
Twenty-five years later the charismatic Gilroy native, recognizable by voice alone as the emcee for GHS basketball games, a familiar face around town whether it’s in the grocery store or at local events, is celebrating his silver anniversary at the course July 31 in style.
“I’m looking forward to everyone having a good time and hopefully we will have another one at 50,” DeLorenzo chuckled. “I looked at the date and said, ‘I’ve got to do something.’ I’m inviting everybody out to golf and eat and drink. If we have some money left over we will give it to some kids.”
Typical DeLorenzo. Always ready to lend a helping hand, give back and support.
Further illustrating the impact the soon-to-be 52-year-old has had on the community, the party he is hosting at the serene and peaceful course off of Hecker Pass Highway, is sold out – and then some.
“I hate to tell people no,” DeLorenzo said.
Even in such a simple statement as that, “DeLo’s” generosity shines through, a staple whenever folks describe the ever-present golfer.
“It’s kind of like local boy makes good in the golf world in Gilroy,” former community services director in Gilroy, Bob Connelly said. “Don has always been extremely generous and willing to work with any individual or group that came through there.”
DeLorenzo and Connelly had a working relationship during the period of time DeLorenzo ran the course for the city.
“He was always willing to work with the city,” Connelly said. “He’s always optimistic in good times and bad. He had an extremely positive attitude. Plus, he is a pretty good golfer.”
Quickly realizing that he was indeed a pretty good golfer, DeLorenzo began playing in local junior tournaments and performing well.
“I remember when I was 12 or so playing in some tournaments and I was like, ‘geez I beat this guy, I finished second, I finished third, maybe I can play this game.’ I always liked to compete.”
In the eighth grade DeLorenzo beat up on a few of the high school golfers – and that was that.
A standout on the GHS golf team, DeLorenzo honed his skills and soon found himself chasing history.
“When I got to junior and senior year, not to be arrogant, but I was going out not to see if I could win the match, but to see if I could set the junior or senior record,” he said. “The lowest I shot was a 64 on a Par 70.”
DeLorenzo moved onto San Jose State where he played sporadically his freshman year and redshirted his sophomore campaign before becoming a key figure on the nationally ranked Spartans.
San Jose State, then a member of the Pacific Coast Athletic Association, was ranked as high as third in the nation during his senior year.
“Greatest time of my life, and we were good then,” he said. “We were a powerhouse.”
Despite his success, something inside of him was calling him back to Gilroy.
“I always wanted to do this,” DeLorenzo said, looking around his office with pictures of his family and friends he has made along the way, displayed on the walls. “I am kind of a homebody. I never had the itch to go out and play the (PGA) Tour.”
For DeLorenzo, all roads led back to this community and the golf course nestled in the northwest hills of Gilroy.
“I look forward to coming to work every day, I look forward to the people I work with and the people that come in the door. I like to be able to go down the street and announce a Gilroy High basketball game. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
The course remains one of the best deals around, matching affordable pricing with pristine conditions, two aspects DeLorenzo takes pride in continuing to uphold.
“Value, dollar to dollar, I will put this place up against anything,” he said. “I’ll put our greens up against anything around here. We are able to give the customer a very, very good product.”
NOTE: Spots are full for the golfing portion of the party, but everyone is encouraged to shop up for the barbeque and beverages. A $25 fee will be collected for the food, with extra funds to be donated. There will also be an auction.
