Thursday, May 24, 2007
I was looking at the SDGA website at lunch today and learned of Lenny's death. I recall many times competing against him as a junior golfer in Syracuse - I was never able to crack the code to beating Lenny.
I recall specifically an instance in the SDGA Boys' championship (14 & under) when I heard that I would be facing him in the finals (that was bad news, folks) - there had been a controversy in Lenny's semis match (we all played together) where his opponent had accused him of cheating. I was asked whether I saw any foul play and I reported that I had not. I suppose I could have avoided Lenny in the Final by lying and saying he had cheated, but the fact was, Lenny didn't have to cheat - the guy had the most amazing short game I ever saw.
Above all, he was a fierce competitor surely made stronger by his daily struggle against his toughest opponent - kidney disease. In the face of it all, he also had a sharp, dry sense of humor. I occasionally try to trot out the "I hate my opponent" method of coaxing a better performance out of myself - it didn't work in Lenny's case because he truly was fun to play with. God bless him for that!!
My regrets go out to his family - I always will remember his Dad (a big guy - usually chomping on a cigar - as I recall) following us around as Lenny systematically took care of business.
Bill Hyde
