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.
All the latest on Orange County from Orange County.
Get our free TimesOC newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Daily Pilot.