By BRUCE MEADOWS
FEBRUARY 2023
Gone, but not forgotten . . .
We received a lot of thoughtful responses from local golfers – pro and amateur – about the passing of local legend Dean James.
To say Dean was loved and respected, as a man and as a golf pro, is a considerable understatement.
If you were able to email me with your thoughts about Dean, my thanks and no doubt the thanks of his family. If you would still like to make your feelings known, please email me at bmeadows4sports@aol.com
A Celebration of Life will be held at Santa Rosa G&CC Saturday, Feb. 11, from 4:30 until 7:00.
Donations are still welcome to firstteenorthcoast.org where a scholarship fund has been established in Dean’s memory.
Here are a couple more remembrances:
My first real job was carts/range for Dean James at Oakmont Golf Course in 1976. When I turned 16 and got my drivers license and purchased my car, I asked my father if he could call Dean for me and get me a job. Dean also gave me my first golf lesson, and my first “ass chewing” – I guess he didn’t like me sleeping in the cart barn on Saturday mornings. Reasonable!
Dean and my careers never crossed paths again professionally. We reconnected when I joined the Oakmont GC crew as the GM/Head Golf Professional a few years back. Dean would pop in my office and give me all the encouragement I needed to get through the day. It was always great to see him, as we often talked about “the ole days” and reminisced about years past. Some of the best times of my career were spent with Mr. Dean James.
We lost a legend, role model, gentleman, icon! Long live the great memories of Dean James! Personally, I think the Santa Rosa City Tournament should be renamed as the Dean James SR City! Let’s have his name stay with us for years to come!
Note: I really like Greg’s suggestion about renaming the Santa Rosa City Tournament. Any suggestions???
A funny one…Dean and his brother grew up playing a lot of golf with Dan James, (not related) and a regular 4th…The starter would say, now on the tee…James, James, James and Aragona? (Bill Aragona of Boulder Creek and Pasatiempo) . . .
Coming up . . .
Operation 36 . . .
At Valley of the Moon . . .
At Bennett Valley . . .
At Valley of the Moon . . .
Help wanted . . .
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Let me hear from you . . . |
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Thanks for your comments, questions and suggestions. I appreciate them and would like to get as many as possible. If you And if you have questions, complaints or compliments about golf in our area, let me know and I’ll make some inquiries. Email me at bmeadows4sports@aol.com
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have information about anything golf-related, including upcoming clinics, activities, tournaments or sales, let me know.