Leeworthy remembered as a golfer, a gentleman

The mornings won't be quite as bright at Lockeford Springs Golf Course anymore.

The greens and fairways frequently graced by one of the most talented up-and-coming golfers, 19-year-old Eric Leeworthy, will no longer play host to his pure swing, on-target putts and radiating personality.

Leeworthy, a 2007 Galt High School graduate, had his life tragically cut short by a car accident on Tuesday. Leeworthy was on his way to work at Lockeford, his second home, in the early hours when his car ran into a ditch and collided with a tree.

His passing has left a hole in the lives of his family and friends as well as the entire Lockeford Golf Course and Galt communities. None are feeling the void more than Doug Leeworthy, Eric's proud father and golfing partner.

"I always loved bragging about him and I am not going to stop now," Doug Leeworthy said. "He is one of those kids that anyone would be proud to have as their kid."

On most Sunday mornings, Eric Leeworthy and his friends would meet at the course. They would break into pairs and tee off in rounds that showcased some of the best junior golf in the area in what they called "skins games." Afterwards, the gang would meet up in the lounge, add up their scorecards, divvy out bets lost and then have lunch. Beau Zastrow, 17, Leeworthy's friend of six years and his golfing buddy, remembers a specific Sunday about four weeks ago when Leeworthy was at his best.

Zastrow wrote a letter about that day. His dad, Dr. Hank Zastrow, read the letter to the News-Sentinel on Thursday night.

"It was a cold morning, but when Eric showed up the temperature rose and he made it so much better. He played lights out that day and shot 64. He rolled in every putt he had. I know he was going to have a career playing golf and it was coming soon. ..."

Dr. Zastrow, a member of the board of directors for the Junior Golf Association of Northern California who knew Leeworthy for years, then had to pause while reading the letter about the young man he admired so much. Through tears and heartbreak, he continued.

"It is a major loss to all of his friends because we loved him and he loved us back. The Sunday skins game will never be the same because Eric's smile and personality made the round and the competition more enjoyable."

Leeworthy, with his determined work ethic, was turning heads on the JGANC circuit. He was the points champion in his division in 2007 and was also named the runner-up for the Golfer of the Year award in Northern California last year.

This season, despite moving up to the men's amateur division, Leeworthy was still managing to shoot low rounds. Just two weeks ago, Leeworthy beat out the 65-player field at the Antioch City Amateur Golf Championship for his first amateur win. Doug Leeworthy said everyone, including Eric's younger brother and two younger sisters and his friends, knew Eric was going to make it big.

"He was basically the guy that they knew they could root for on the PGA Tour someday," he said.

Eric Leeworthy wasn't interested in bragging about his abilities — he wanted to mentor his fellow golfers.

"He taught me a lot," said Blake Epperson, a 19-year-old who worked with Leeworthy at Lockeford. "It was a privilege to play with him."

Janice Williams, Leeworthy's former coach at Galt High, said Leeworthy wanted to volunteer as an assistant coach in the spring. He was already known by the players and lent his support whenever he could.

"Eric always pushed them to the next level," she said. "(Eric's passing) kinda touches everybody. He was a great kid. He was always energetic. This is a tremendous loss."

A memorial service will be held for Leeworthy today at 2 p.m. at Galt's McCaffery Middle School, 997 Park Terrace Drive.