College of the Desert men’s golf coach Tony Manzoni has clubs, mementos and photos all over his office. Some of testaments to a life well lived include Manzoni dining with Joe Pesci, another of the coach at a golf event with Don Rickles and a print of Manzoni crossing paths with Arnold Palmer and Frank Sinatra.
A professor and adviser with the college’s Golf Management program for three decades and the Roadrunners’ head coach since 1994, Manzoni has long cemented his legend in the Coachella Valley. He’s also credited as being co-founder of Callaway Golf (via his Hickory Stick USA brand), has authored an instructional book and was instrumental in raising funds to construct the college’s driving range.
Yet between the roads of links and legacy, Manzoni’s most lasting chapter could be penned by the game’s next generation. As he strolls the range with the wisdom of a man soon to celebrate his 50th year as a PGA member, Manzoni’s eyes brighten at the prospect of potential.
“I can remember when I first became a PGA member, and one of the very first paragraphs of our constitution talks about the responsibility of the golf professional to grow the game,” recalled Manzoni, who was honored by the Desert Chapter of the PGA in 2014 for his Youth Player Development work. “And the only way you can grow the game is through junior golf.”
His lot in life admittedly comfortable, Manzoni makes time to serve as a volunteer swing coach to five junior players.
“Being around kids, and their dreams, it keeps my dreams going,” he said. “I’m always looking for that diamond which needs to be polished. Every one of these kids that I’m teaching, I observed them and then spoke with their parents to see if anyone was working with them. In most cases, I could tell that they maybe couldn’t really afford it, or it was something that they didn’t really consider (paying for).
“I get as much out of it as I think they do,” he continued, referring to the young golfers. “It’s like going to the gym: I always feel better after. There’s a part of me that I didn’t realize was there by being a mentor. And I’ve done a lot of things in my life, but this is the best thing I’ve ever done because I found another part of myself that, I think, has some value.”
Among Manzoni’s junior charges are Jiyoon Jang, an incoming senior at Palm Desert High School and 55th-ranked junior player in the country, and 9-year-old Ivan Tran.
“We have these in-depth conversations about life,” Manzoni said of Ivan, who has 15 victories in U.S. Kids and Southern California PGA events. “He asks me questions about life constantly, and I just adore that. … I can’t wait for our lessons. I’m a better person after I give him a golf lesson.”
At 18 months, Ivan got interested in the game by watching the Golf Channel, and his first tournament victory came at the age of 5. Noting Manzoni’s work with Jang at the range, Ivan’s father, Larry Tran, approached the coach when his boy turned 7.
“When my son was a little more mature and old enough to listen, I went up to Tony and asked if he’d be willing to take Ivan as one of his students,” Larry Tran said. “He agreed, and I was surprised that he offered to do so at no charge. I was amazed.”
With Ivan and his junior peers, Manzoni’s lessons extend beyond the golf course.
“The swing is an aspect of it,” Larry Tran said, “but to play well you have to know a little bit of life.”
Luckily, there’s a little bit of space left on the walls of Manzoni’s office for more memories and new stars.
