Garden Grove Man Wins a Shot at Pro-Am Slot With Mickelson

Gary Luce of Garden Grove, a retired teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District, got a phone call recently -- from golfer Phil Mickelson.

“I recognized his voice right off, from watching on TV,” said Luce, 60. “It made my day, my year, maybe half my life.”

Mickelson told Luce his online entry into a contest sponsored by Ford had been selected and that the former horticulture and physical education teacher would play three other amateurs in an 18-hole showdown Nov. 20. At stake is a spot in a foursome in the pro-am at next year’s PGA Tour Ford Championship at Doral.

The winner will play with Mickelson, former hockey star Wayne Gretzky and stock car driver Dale Jarrett.

Luce, who won a new car for being a finalist in the match at Homestead, Fla., said he played to a six handicap, then added he was headed for the Dad Miller course in Anaheim to work on his game, especially his putting.

“It stinks,” he said.