A lot of people play golf after they retire, but Don Mahoney has taken it to a whole new level.
A junior majoring in American Studies, he is the newest member of the Old Westbury golf team.
“I never got the full college experience,” Mahoney said. “I’m loving the experience now and I always wanted to play a sport so I figured why not golf?”
Mahoney, who retired in 2008, tried out for the team in October and made it without having any prior experience. Late to join, he was ineligible to play in the fall Skyline Conference Championship where Old Westbury placed fifth out of six teams.
“We want to get word out there that we have a golf team,” Mahoney said. “We are in NCAA Division four and expect a big spring.”
Mahoney wants to spread the word that the golf team is looking for more members. The team is looking forward to the spring season and hopes to build on what they’ve accomplished in the fall
“We’re recruiting right now,” said Mahoney. “We have 12 slots to fill and only eight players. We practice in indoor facilities in the winter. We’ll be practicing soon so it would be nice to be able to fill out this roster.”
Mahoney loves history and hopes to teach history someday. A war veteran, Mahoney is the proud founder of the veterans club called the Old Westbury Order of Military on campus.
“I went to war and also spent my days raising my kids and managing an AT&T store,” Mahoney said. “Now that the kids are grown and I’m retired, I can finally get my experience in college.” Mahoney is 66 and the father of four grown children.
“I read a story that only three Americans over 60 are involved in NCAA sports,” he said. “Then I was talking to someone at enrollment services and I decided I want to play golf.”
The team is led by first year head coach Chris Bellinger who worked worked on local golf courses before being hired.
For those interested in joining, Coach Bellinger can be reached at
bellingerc@oldwestbury.edu