Get to Know:

Mike Ortega, Immediate Past President

The Basics:

Name: Mike Ortega
City of residence: Harbor City
Clubs: Skylinks; Gauchos and Gringos
Profession: Retired
Family: Married with three dogs
Volunteer and committee involvement: Board of Director FEW Credit Union, Skylinks Board of Directors, and Northern Trust Open Operations Team

What you Didn't Know:

Music that Mike listens to: Frank Sinatra
First car: 1964 Volkswagen Bug
Favorite book: Lord of the Rings
Guilty-pleasure food: Chocolate
Favorite non-golf item owned: Computer
Favorite Southland hotspot: Admiral Risty
One gadget you can't live without: Blackberry, because it keeps me in touch with relatives and friends throughout the day.
Favorite quote: "Some people bring smiles when they enter a room, others bring smiles when they leave a room."
If Mike couldn't do what he did as a profession, he would have been a: Longshoreman
Greatest pride: His wife
Most-visited Web site that is not work-related: Facebook
What do you like about volunteering: The people you meet and work with. I like to volunteer because of the smiles I see on those benefiting from the programs I volunteer for.
What would you tell a boy or girl to interest them in the game of golf: "Let's go to the range and hit some golf balls." I know once they hit a few, most will be back.

On the Course:

Has golfed for: 38 years
What Mike would like to see more of on the course: Definitely better etiquette
Favorite Tour player: Phil Mickelson, I met him a few times and he is a good guy.
What part of the game of golf needs to change: Affordability. We need to make golf available to more people.
Is there a Rule of Golf Mike would like to change?: Relief from divots