Prior to joining BackSpin The Golf Show, “the Man from Van’s, aka. Rick Levy, had been involved in nearly every aspect of the sport, including, but not limited to, course management, golf course real estate and development, retail, advertising, manufacturing, competition and coaching (his boys).
Growing up in the Northern California town of San Rafael, in Marin County, Rick began his golfing career at an early age playing such spectacular courses as Lake Merced and The Olympic Club in San Francisco. He played competitively as a junior in such tournaments as the 1976 USGA Junior Amateur Championship. He went on to play four years of college golf before graduating from San Diego State University in 1984, earning a degree in recreation management. Following college, Rick enjoyed a fine amateur career highlighted by playing in the 1982 U.S. Amateur and the 1983 British Amateur.
After a short-lived professional career on the former Hogan Tour, as well as competing in tournaments in Europe and South America, Rick was offered a job with The Golf Mart in San Diego in 1984. Rick has built a strong career with the company that has since created the parent company Worldwide Golf. Since then Worldwide Golf has acquired Roger Dunn Golf Shops, Golf Mart and Ed Watts, as well as five Vans Golf Shops in Phoenix and two in Tucson.
Worldwide Golf now owns and operates nearly 90 golf retail stores. Retail Stores include: Edwin Watts Golf Shops, Uinta Golf Shops, Golfdom, Van’s Golf Shops, Las Vegas Golf Superstore, The Golf Mart, Golfers Warehouse and Roger Dunn Golf Shop.
Rick has been with the company since they had their first store in 1984 and is now VP of Marketing for Van’s Golf Shops. In the fall of 2001, Rick added a new dimension to his golf career when he was asked to join Backspin the Golf Show as a host and partner. It’s been a thrill to be a part of such a dynamic team. Nowadays, Rick’s foursome is rounded out by his wife of over 30 years, Natalie, and his sons, Clay and Kenny.