COLUMBUS
Anthony J. “Tony” Clecak, 92, of Columbus, passed from this life at 9:40 p.m. Saturday, June 15, 2024, at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana Inpatient Facility.
Mr. Clecak was born December 5, 1931, in Oakland, California, the son of Nicholas J. and Mabel H. Hansen Clecak.
He married Carol A. Ellgood March 29, 1960.
At the age of 12, Tony took his first caddying job at Claremont CC in Oakland, CA. After working there for one week, he knew golf was the sport he had to play. He worked in the golf business for 80 years, briefly as a PGA Tour pro and largely as a teaching pro at country clubs from coast to coast. His golf career came to a halt when he decided to answer his patriotic calling by enlisting in the United States Air Force at the outset of the Korean War. He served four years, including the duration of the war.
In time Tony would accept teaching jobs at country clubs in California and Massachusetts before making Indiana his home in 1974 where he became Head Golf Professional at Harrison Lake Country Club and served the membership for 23 years.
During his time at Harrison Lake Country Club he became fondly known as “Clack” by many members and those who worked for him. His work ethic, mental discipline, and positivity influenced many of his assistants to go on and become PGA Golf Professionals. He taught many local high school teams from 1974-1998 where many of his students went on to play collegiately. He also dedicated his time and efforts to giving back to the Indiana Section PGA, the PGA of America, and the game of golf.
He served as President of the Indiana Section PGA in 1983-1984. He was a member of the PGA of America’s Business School Teaching Staff from 1972-1986. He was past recipient of the Junior Leader Award(1997), Indiana PGA Bill Strausbaugh Award (1982), Indiana PGA Golf Professional of the Year (1985), Horton Smith Award (1986), 30th Master Professional of the PGA of America (1986), PGA Teacher of the year (1993), Golf Digest Top 100 Teachers in America (2000), Golf Digest Top 10 Teachers in Indiana (2007), 95th Indiana Golf Hall of Fame inductee (2014), and Deacon Palmer Award (2023).
At age 90 he continued to teach the game of golf as the Senior Director of Instruction at The Legends Golf Club in Franklin where he also directed the Get Golf Ready Program.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Carol; daughter, Staci (Tim) Schulz of Columbus and Christoper Clecak of Philippines; grandchildren, Jessica (Jesse) Walker of Columbus, Megan Clecak of Lafayette, and Savanna Perry of Columbus; great-grandchildren Jillian, Jayda, and Jentry Walker.
In keeping with Tony’s wishes, cremation will take place.
A celebration of life service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, July 14, 2024 at The Legends Golf Club in Franklin, IN.
The family request that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to The Franklin Golf Club Inc. c/o The Legends Golf Club, 2555 North Hurricane Road, Franklin, IN 46131 a non-profit organization that supports junior golf development or Our Hospice of South Central Indiana.
Arrangements by Barkes, Weaver &Glick Funeral Home.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family at barkesweaverglick.com.
