June CasagrandeAt 57 years old, and at...

June Casagrande

At 57 years old, and at the end of a prestigious career, Hank Adler

is going back to school.

The longtime Deloitte & Touche executive and co-chairman of the

Toshiba Senior Classic golf tournament is cashing in on his first

opportunity for early retirement to pursue a dream that has been on

his mind since before he even started his accounting career: “I want

to be a teacher. I’ve always wanted to be a teacher. If the world had

been a different place when I first got out of school, I would have

probably become a teacher right then,” Adler said.

Adler, who also serves on the board at Hoag Hospital, is best

known among locals for his work on the Toshiba Senior Classic golf

tournament that begins in less than three weeks -- a job he’s not

about to give up even as he takes master’s-level courses in education

at Chapman University.

Casually dismissing the idea that might hold others back -- that

57 is too old to start a new career -- Adler, who turns 57 in May,

started taking classes at Chapman this semester. He plans to have a

teaching credential by June of this year and a master’s degree in

education by 2004; 2005 at the latest. Then, when his mind is

thoroughly refreshed about what it’s like to be a student, he will

look for a job teaching high school history or social studies.

“I love kids, I love history. It’s perfect for me,” said Adler,

who admits that he’s the oldest in his classes, “but not by as much

as you’d think.”

He said he hopes to work in his new career at least 10 years,

hopefully much longer. And though the demands of his new job will

mean he probably can’t take off on a Wednesday afternoon to play with

golf pros, chances are he’ll be able to keep up his duties at the

Toshiba Senior Classic for years to come.

“It’s a great deal for everyone involved,” said Adler, who in past

years had had the “priceless” opportunity to play golf with pros the

likes of Lee Trevino and Fuzzy Zeller. This year, he’ll get to putt

for fun with Don Kennedy.

In the early 1990s, Adler even played in the tournament alongside

brother-in-law John Flannery.

Adler first began volunteering for the tournament around 1986 and

became co-chairman along with Jake Rohrer in 1989. Most of his

volunteer time is spent working with the event sponsors, keeping them

happy to contribute to the charity golf tournament for years to come.

And it’s a job far too fun or rewarding to give up, he said.

“At the end of the day, the thrill of the tournament is 1,100

volunteers getting together with a large number of business sponsors

and being able to write a check for a million to Hoag Hospital,”

Adler said. “That’s what it’s all about. We have a great time.”

His passion for the tournament, like his passion for teaching, is

really an extension of his passion for life. And, for Adler, there’s

no reason to ever stop shooting for your dreams.

“Age is a number. You only make this circuit once to the best of

my knowledge, so you’ve got to do the best you can. I really believe

that. Age is just a number; it’s not a barrier. We only get one shot,

kid.”

* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport.

She may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at

june.casagrande@latimes.com.