This Month's Beacon MGA conversation is with longtime resident and Harbour Pointe Golf Club Member Charlie Henke. Charlie currently serves the MGA as Handicap Chairman. Charlie also has been a long time volunteer in Fairfield Harbour with the Property Control Committee and has been Chairman of the PCC since 2009. This community would not be as successful as it is without tireless volunteers like Charlie.
The Men's Golf Association plays Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings and welcomes new Harbour Pointe Golf Club Members to join the MGA. For more information about the MGA please contact Paul Cormier at 602-509-2645.
Beacon: Charlie, thanks for spending time with us today and all the great work you do for HPGC and Fairfield Harbour. How long have you been a resident in FH?
CH: We have been in the Harbour for 20 years. Time flies!
Beacon: When did you start playing Golf?
CH: I started playing when I was a teenager with a buddy and have been playing ever since.
Beacon: We have heard that you had a special round of Golf recently. Please tell us about that round.
CH: It was lots of fun! I shot a gross score of 77, which is 1 shot from shooting my age, my net score was 62 and that was the low net score for the day. I only made 1 Birdie, made a bunch of Pars. The hole looked really big all day, made some nice Putts and I had 3 Chip-ins. Hopefully, I will shoot my age someday. It doesn't get any easier as you get older.
Beacon: Wow! 77 Gross 62 net and holing 3 Chip shots. Fantastic round! Please tell us about your duties as Handicap Chairman for MGA and how long have you been in this role at HPGC?
CH: I review every scorecard from the MGA games on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings to confirm that the score posted is correct. I have been Handicap Chairman since 2009.
Beacon: That's great, most Clubs have 3 or 4 people who would split up that work and to do it for such a long period of time is amazing. Do you have a favorite Hole at Harbour Pointe?
CH: Not really. I like them all. It is a really nice Golf course that I never get tired of playing, lots of variety. There is a difference on how it can play from day to day.
Beacon: It really is a solid layout 1 thru 18 and always in great condition. Do you have any other courses other than HPGC that you have played that are memorable?
CH: Torrey Pines in Lajolla CA, Pinehurst #2 TPC Sawgrass are 3 great places that I've played. My son used to live in San Diego and we would get to Torrey at 5:30am to get a Tee time 5 hours later. Pinehurst #2 was to difficult to keep approach shots on the Green, lots of slope on the Greens. TPC Sawgrass is special, both 9s start out with easier holes and get progressively harder. I did Par the iconic Par 3 17th. Great hole.
Beacon: Who is in your dream foursome?
CH: Arnold Palmer, Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and myself.
Beacon: What is your greatest memory of playing in MGA events over the last 20 years?
CH: My greatest memories are the friendships that I have made. That is what it is all about. I always show up early and enjoy chatting with the guys. I enjoy welcoming new Members to the MGA, Harbour Pointe Golf Club and the beautiful community of Fairfield Harbour. I also made a Hole in a one on #9 2 years ago that I will remember forever.
Charlie, thank you for spending time with us today. You are a wonderful asset to HPGC and FH.