THE HOUSE THAT BUILT


The coach who brought the Cal Bears from club obscurity to a national golf powerhouse is retiring after 37 years


BY RON KROICHICK S


teve Desimone’s long journey began with a bag of produce. Desimone chuckles heartily, because he relishes telling a


good story—and this one cuts to the heart of his improbable, challeng- ing, ultimately gratifying 37-year tenure as Cal’s men’s golf coach. He took the job at his alma mater in November 1979, when the program was a club sport languishing in obscurity. Dave Maggard, then the athletic direc- tor, predicted Desimone would never raise even $1,000 in support of college golf. But a few months later, he met Frank Brunk, a former Cal football player and successful Bay Area businessman. Brunk suggested they hold a char- ity tournament at Orinda Country


34 / NCGA.ORG / SUMMER 2016


BOB DOERR


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