Reehl Never Ventures Far From Golf Course

Mike Reehl lasted five weeks as a touring golf professional. It wasn’t that he was a failure, rather that he realized the enormity of the task after five Arizona mini-tour events in 1973. He decided to come home.

“I was more of a realist,” Reehl said. “I was good in college, but never the best and the same guys were still beating me as a professional.”

Reehl’s credentials were solid. He was the first four-year golf letterman at Corona del Mar High and won the state community college title for Orange Coast in 1970, beating Mac O’Grady in a playoff. He played three years at Long Beach State and in 1972 won the conference title and was named an All-American.

On the mini-tour, he made four of five cuts, but wasn’t in contention or making much money, so he returned to a full-time job as starter at Santa Ana Country Club. About five years later, he became an assistant professional at the club, and in 1985 he was named head professional.

His ascension completed a remarkable rise from bag-room attendant to boss. He got his first job at the club when he was 16, after a family tragedy.

Reehl’s father, Cecil, died of heart failure at Mesa Verde Country Club while playing golf with his son. He was 48.

The Reehls could no longer afford their Mesa Verde membership. Mike went to work in the bag room at Santa Ana so he could maintain his access to a course.

Although his career as a touring professional never took off, Reehl has thrived as a club pro. Clinics for the members have featured such pros as Johnny Miller, Peter Jacobsen, Fred Couples, Al Geiberger Sr., Gary McCord and Loren Roberts.

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Professional Profile will regularly feature a personality involved in the Orange County golf industry.

Professional Profile

* Name: Mike Reehl

* Club: Santa Ana Country Club

* Age: 44

* Education: Corona del Mar High, Orange Coast College, Long Beach State

* Teaching philosophy: “The things I really stress with beginners are motion and balance in the backswing and balance at the finish. If you’ve got that you should be all right.”

* Favorite Southland course (other than his own): Riviera. “I like the layout, the bunkering and the tradition. It’s just a great course.”