Getting to Know 2025 President Randy Graham

As we head into 2025, I thought I would tell members a little bit about myself.

I was born and raised in Portland where I learned to play golf. Our family moved to Sacramento just as I was beginning high school.  I didn’t know one other student at El Camino High.

Following El Camino, I went on to attend Stanford, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics. I later earned an MBA from UCLA. My first “real job” was with a real estate development consultant in Los Angeles but after three years I concluded that I could not afford to raise a family and have a house with green grass in the L.A. area so I moved to Sacramento to join my father’s auto dealership.

That move ended up supporting my family of three children, all now off the payroll and doing their own thing. Seven of my grandchildren currently live in the San Francisco, Portland and Seattle areas. Jeannie, my wife for the past 24 years has two daughters (Denver and Sacramento) and four more grandchildren.

How did you originally get started in golf?

The short answer is family. I am the oldest of four kids and our parents encouraged each of us to pursue an individual interest. I went first and picked golf. My parents played golf so I could tag along. Dad was my coach and frequently, after an unsuccessful day on the high school team, I could not wait for him to come home from work and I would hit two or three wiffle balls and be ready to do better the next day.

What is your greatest golf memory?

Playing golf with my grandfather.  As a grade school beginner, it would take me three shots to get to his ball, but years later, my shot was three times farther than his, but it did not matter. We could play together regardless of skill. What other sport can I compete against Rafael Nadal, Buster Posey or my 8-year-old grandson?

What is your favorite course?

That is a hard question. If I have only played a course once should it qualify or should I know it better, its secrets, and its many unique challenges?  I vote for Spyglass Hill. I was fortunate to be a Spyglass member for 25 years and I learned to respect it every day I teed it up there. I so miss that course.

What influenced you to take up the game?

My parents.  I chuckle when I recall my mom complaining about a recent bad round later in her life.  I asked her when was the last time you took a lesson or went to the driving range? Upon reflection, she could not remember either.  I simply asked why do you think those pros spend so much time practicing?

What do you enjoy besides golf?

That is easy– I love my backyard garden.  Twenty-five years ago I bought a house in Carmichael near my office and my golf course.  This house had a tennis court in the backyard.  After much planning (mom was a landscape designer) and great expense the tennis court was removed and 12 large raised beds emerged. I grow lots of vegetables, two lemon trees, three orange trees and a cutting bed for flowers that Jeannie loves to pick and share.