TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Gonsalves Heading For The 19th Hole

ADVERTISEMENT

By MICK ELLIOTT, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 21, 2008

Updated: 02/21/2008 12:11 am

TAMPA - Palma Ceia Country Club golf professional Gil Gonsalves leaned forward in a chair, lowered his voice as if passing a secret, and cringed at the memory. It was back in May 1974 and Gonsalves - born and raised in Bermuda before finishing high school in Rhode Island and getting into the golf business - had been invited to interview at the exclusive South Tampa club.

With a hastily compiled, hand-scribbled resume in hand, Gonsalves took questions from board members and finally was given the opportunity for some answers of his own.

"I'm embarrassed to say," Gonsalves recalled in a hushed tone, "I did not know what Palma Ceia was. I asked, 'Is this a private club?' They, uh, assured me it was."

The young pro soon found out for himself. Despite the not-so-seamless introduction, he was hired and May 31 reported for his first day at the job. Now, Gonsalves has announced that exactly 34 years to the day later will be his last.

"I feel like I could have gone on 10 or 15 more years, but while I'm in good health, I want some time to myself," Gonsalves said. "It's not that I'm tired. I just think it's time to do it."

After this week's Gasparilla Invitational, Palma Ceia's next big event will be Gonsalves' retirement party.

Since arriving in Tampa, Gonsalves, who turned 65 in November, has become the face and conscience of local golf. He has served at every elected position in the North Florida Chapter, PGA of America, earning a position in the organization's hall of fame. He has supported and nurtured junior golf. He has been voted among the game's top teachers.

Just as notable are those who, as a mentor, Gonsalves sent into the business. The long list includes the likes of Bob Ford, who divides time at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club and South Florida's Seminole; Joe Hodge, general manager at Lakeland's Lone Palm; and Clay Thomas, general manager at Tampa's Westchase.

"I've already written Gil a note to say it's highly unlikely I would be where I am if it were not for him," Thomas said. "My father was a member of the club, so I grew up there. Gil was the first person to ever put a club in my hand. That's when I learned, when I was 6 years old. Then my first job was working for Gil. Everything I think a golf professional should be was formed by what I saw from Gil."

Gonsalves must have done something right.

Considering any professional at a private club gets a new boss every time the board changes, 34 years in one pro shop is a lifetime. That the Palma Ceia membership could not have been more shocked by Gonsalves' announcement had the grill run out of clean glasses, speaks of the esteem in which he is held.

"I just can't imagine anybody taking his place," member Tom Johnson said. "He has been a prince of diplomacy. He is unflappable at all times. Those are great qualities for a golf professional at a club where you have a lot of demanding members."

So after all these years, Gonsalves will answer to his heart.

Along with Sharon, his wife of 22 years and a distinguished player in her own right, Gonsalves, who played two PGA Tour seasons early in his career, wants to enjoy the game from the other side of the counter.

"You have a job like this, people think you play golf all the time, and the truth is you hardly play at all," Gonsalves said. "While I'm in good health, I'd like to play more and maybe travel more while I can. We've all seen and heard about people who waited too long and then couldn't do it."

That leaves Palma Ceia, founded in 1916, to search for only its fourth head professional in club history. A national search is under way.

"He has given a lot of stability and a lot of recognition to Palma Ceia," club president Pete Hodge said. "He has been able to take the personalities changes that come with each new board and make them jell. This isn't going to be easy."

Reporter Mick Elliott can be reached at (813) 281-2534 or melliott@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT