NCPGA loses one of its most influential and dedicated members
Diablo, Calif.- Lyle O. Wehrman, the 1964 PGA Golf Professional of the Year and one of the most influential members in the history of the Northern California PGA Section, passed away peacefully at his home on Sept. 24. He was 94.
Mr. Wehrman, a dedicated member of The PGA of America since Dec. 11, 1939, served as president of the Northern California Section from 1962 to 1964 and was national PGA vice president from 1968 to 1970. He was named NCPGA Golf Professional of the Year in 1963 and 1964 and was later inducted into the PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame.
Wehrman’s career in golf started in his youth as a caddie at Lake Chabot Golf Course in Oakland, where he also worked at the driving range and in the golf shop. In 1942 he entered the Army and was stationed in the Philippines where he served as a First Lieutenant and earned a Bronze Star medal for his courageous efforts in combat operations.
In 1946 Wehrman returned to Lake Chabot for a short time before accepting the PGA head golf professional position at Merced Golf & Country Club. Wehrman would later serve as PGA head golf professional in the San Francisco Bay Area at both Diablo Country Club and Sunol Valley Golf Course. Several of the young juniors he taught/mentored later followed in his footsteps as standout players who became PGA club professionals.
Wehrman will be best remembered for his years of dedicated service to the Northern California PGA, with assignments that spanned from executive director (in the mid ’70s) to longtime board member while chairing several Section committees. He especially enjoyed serving as Section historian and director of senior affairs. He was an NCPGA honorary director at the time of his passing.
Wehrman also had strong ties to the Northern California Golf Representatives Association (NCGRA), having served as their executive director up until the age of 93.
He was an active member of the NCPGA tournament committee and officiated hundreds of events, including Player Ability Tests and PGA Tour qualifiers (Stage I & II). One of his favorite assignments (in the ’70s and ’80s) was serving as the starter on the first tee at Pebble Beach Golf Links during “The Crosby,” now commonly known as the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.
“What we’ll surely remember and admire about Lyle was his ability to lead by example, his dedication and volunteer spirit to the Section and many other worthy causes,” said Monte Koch, NCPGA President and PGA Professional, “Lyle lead a sincere life with care for others. Not cautious, not unwilling or apathetic, but full of energy and care about his family, his fellow golf professionals and his customers. Lyle stepped up whenever he was asked, and most importantly, when he wasn’t. We should all learn from his example.”
Wehrman is a past recipient of the Horton Smith Award, for contributions to PGA education, and was the first recipient of the NCPGA Lyle O. Wehrman Award presented for exceptional volunteerism. In 2006, the Northern California Golf Association (NCGA) honored him with their prestigious Distinguished Service Award.
Wehrman is preceded in death by his loving wife, Joan, and daughter-in-law Pamela Wehrman. He is survived by his brother Dennison Wehrman, son Lyle Wehrman Jr., daughter Tudi Wehrman, grandson Mark (Kristy), granddaughter Lindsay, and great-granddaughter Whitney.
In tribute to Mr. Lyle Wehrman, family and friends will gather for a “Celebration of Life” at Diablo Country Club (1700 Club House Road in Diablo, CA, 94528) on Wednesday, Oct. 13 at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, and because of Mr. Wehrman’s dedication to junior golf, his family kindly suggests that a donation be made to any of the following worthy organizations: Junior Golf Association of Northern California-2410 Camino Ramon, Suite 190, San Ramon, CA 94583, NCGA Foundation’s Youth on Course Program- P.O. Box NCGA, Pebble Beach, CA 93953, or the Northern California PGA Junior Golf Tour- 411 Davis Street, Suite 103, Vacaville, CA 95688.
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