Getting to Know 2022 President Mark Avelar

January 4, 2022

Mark Avelar was born and raised in South San Francisco. He attended the local public schools and graduated from El Camino HS in 1964. He went on to attend the University of San Francisco and graduated in 1968. While attending USF, he was a member of the USF golf team and competed in the NCAA Championship tournament at Stanford GC in 1966.

After graduation from USF he went on to complete his teaching credential and a Masters degree in Education. Mark spent 40 years working in public education. He started in the South San Francisco Unified School District in 1969 and served as a teacher, coach, Assistant Principal, Junior HS Principal and High School Principal at his alma mater. He then moved in 1992 to the San Mateo Union HS District. There, he served as a High School Principal, Assistant Superintendent and retired as Deputy Superintendent in 2007. He went on to mentor new principals for the next two years.

Mark has been married to his wife Linda for 53 years. Linda also had a long career in public education at the Community College level and retired as a Dean at College of San Mateo. They have one daughter, Tina, a physical therapist and a grandson, Rylen, who will turn two in 2022. Mark and Linda have resided in San Mateo since 1972. He has been a member of The Olympic Club in San Francisco since 1965. He served as Chairman of the 1993 and 1994 PGA Tour Championships, Chairman of the 2007 U.S. Amateur and Executive Committee for the 1998 and 2012 U.S. Opens.

 What are you looking forward to as SGANC President?

I am looking forward to working with our Board of Governors in implementing our recent bylaws changes to expand our membership and encouraging our members in proposing new quality candidates for membership. I am also looking forward to conducting two outstanding competitions for our members at the very attractive venues that we have scheduled for this year.

 How did you first get started with golf?

While in the eighth grade some friends of mine invited me to play golf at a nine hole course in the Tanforan race track. I enjoyed the experience and continued to play. I then became a caddy when in high school at the California GC near my house. Over time, I began to play more and more when I wasn’t playing my other high school sports.

What was your greatest golf memory or moment?

My most memorable golf moments were the first time I won a golf tournament with my daughter as my partner, a Lefty/Righty event, my first and only hole in one at Apple Mountain GC No.2 after 58 years of playing golf and finally, the first time I shot my age, 69 on the Ocean Course at the Olympic Club in 2015.

Anything you would change with the game?

I would like to see any changes that would help to speed up the game (ready golf, leave the flagstick in). Five hour rounds are killing the game. I think we need to reign in the technology enhancements that are making the length of so many courses obsolete.

What is your favorite course(s) and why?

My favorite course would be the Old Course at St. Andrews. There is just so much history of the game there. When you are standing on the first tee ready to play, you know that you are someplace very special to the game.

What influenced you to take up golf?

My junior high school buddies got me to try the game but I really got interested when the pro at the nine hole course I played as a kid took an interest in my game and gave me some free lessons. I was hooked on golf then.

What do you enjoy doing besides golf?

I love to spend time working in my garden. I enjoy creating colorful flower combinations in my yard. I also enjoy travel with my family and time together at our vacation home and boating on the lake.