Al Grenert grew to love golf. He took up the game in his 40’s, and was as passionate about the game as he was basketball and baseball. He would often play alone, and most of the time would play three separate balls, always keeping track of them, and keeping accurate scores for each over eighteen holes. On any given day he could shoot 81, 83 and 82. When he played with us, his sons, he would occasionally hit a really poor shot. His response was to drop another ball, look us in the eye, and say that he wasn’t ready, and he would then hit another shot. He even used this excuse on the putting green. Unfortunately, we do not allow this during our tournament.
    Al dedicated his life to his family and to athletics. He was a consummate sportsman, a loving husband, a caring and supportive father, a gentle grandfather and a mentor and friend to the thousands of young men and women who crossed his path.
    As an athlete, Al excelled at an early age. He was an outstanding baseball and basketball player at Holyoke High School in Massachusetts. He played his college basketball at New York University where he was an All-American and set the three-year scoring record. After a tour of duty in the U.S. Marine Corps he returned to school at Yale, where he played baseball (his true passion). After college he played baseball, but a serious injury ended that promising career. He did however play professional basketball.
    After his playing days were over, he was hired as the Varsity Basketball Coach at St. Anselm’s College, a small Benedictine school in Manchester, NH. Just as he did as a player, he became an outstanding coach never shying away from the challenge of playing the bigger schools in New England. His teams would play Army, Boston College and Providence and when he beat them, they would immediately drop St. A’s from their schedule. His greatest victory was over Holy Cross. They too dropped St’s A’s.
    He was lured back into coaching by Nashua High School in Nashua, N.H. where he coached for eight years, winning two state championships and runner-up in two others. Al took kids of all abilities and molded them into a team. That was his greatest skill.
    Al worked very hard for his family and he worked hard at being a mentor and friend to those deserving students at St. Anselm’s and Nashua High who need a gentle nudge or a kick in the pants. And those who were a recipient of either one were grateful.
    Al’s family, as well as his extended family of players, students and friends, honors his legacy by participating in the Al Grenert Memorial Golf Tournament and Scholarship Fund at the beautiful Samoset Resort in Rockland, Maine. All proceeds from this extraordinary event help fund scholarships in Al’s name, to St. Anselms.
    We are now in the fourth year of the tournament and we have raised over $100,000, all of which is used to fund scholarships for students at St. Anselms. What started out as a gathering of family and close friends has blossomed into a wonderful event, enjoyed by people from all over the country, who forge new friendships, lie about their golf game and help more and more students get a better education.
    Our goal is to continue Al’s passion for sport and sportsmanship. And while you are playing the fourth hole (Al’s favorite) at this year’s tournament, remember that Al will be looking down on you and wishing you well.