Great golfer. Better person.
That's how Eric Leeworthy is being remembered in his hometown of Galt and home course of Lockeford Springs.
The 19-year-old with a quick smile, booming drives and budding golf potential died in a single-car crash Oct. 7 on his way to a 6 a.m. work shift.
The 2007 Galt High School graduate was a fixture at Lockeford Springs for the past seven years, the first five as a junior player, the past two employed as a cart attendant.
"He ate, drank, slept, loved golf," said Trent Marsh, Lockeford's head pro. "He was here seven days a week whether he was working or playing. I would say every member knew him."
Leeworthy was a strong player at Galt High who capped 2007 by winning the Junior Golf Association of Northern California points title. He attempted to make the golf team as a walk-on at Fresno State, and when that didn't work out, returned home to accept an offer from Delta College, where he intended to soon enroll and begin playing.
He won the Antioch City tournament three weeks ago for his first title against open competition. He remained focused on a major-college, then pro career. His index was +2.9.
"When others heard the name Eric Leeworthy, they would think super player," said Perry Manley, his teacher at Lockeford. "When I think of Eric, I think of a polite and considerate kid. That's what impressed me most. A hard worker with basic values."
Leeworthy frequented Dry Creek and Forest Lake as a kid. In high school, he grew to 6-foot-4 and became a solid basketball player. He chose golf over baseball as a freshman and didn't look back.
Doug Leeworthy was his son's biggest champion and weekly golf companion. He played his last round with Eric late last month at Sierra Meadows.
"There are five par-5s on the course and he birdied every one of them," Doug said. "The par-5s were babies for him. I would hit it out there 270 yards, and Eric would be 50 yards past me. I was like, 'Damn, son.'
"I brag about him every single day and I'm not going to stop today."
– Steve Pajak
