Tom Lehman was in a tight race this summer for the top spot in the PGA Champions Tour rankings, but that did not stop the 1996 British Open champion from taking a week off to visit Israel for the first time. Lehman toured Israel with his wife, Melissa, her parents and Nir Czopp, an Israeli who lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, where the globetrotting Lehmans also live. Czopp said he first met Lehman in the Cincinnati airport nineteen years ago. Even though Lehman was distraught after coming in second at the U.S. Open, after he recognized Czopp's accent, he wanted to hear all about the Holy Land. "He almost hugged me," said Czopp, "and then we spoke for four and a half hours."

One of Lehman's stops on his tour of the country was the Caesarea Golf Club, where he met with golf-playing war veterans and junior golfers, gave an open clinic, and played in a nine-hole exhibition round. "It's a blessing for me to be here," Lehman told the gathered crowd at the driving range before he began the open clinic. "It's a blessing for my wife and me to be in this great country of Israel. This trip is a dream come true.”

About 300 local golf enthusiasts attended the August 25 event, the likes of which is seldom seen here. "This happens only once every 10 or 15 years," said Ron Solomon, one of the professionals at the club.

In the exhibition round, Lehman and his playing partner, Israel Golf Federation president Barry Shaked, faced two of Israel's top golfers, Itamar Cohen and Asaf Cohen (no relation to each other). Itamar is a Maccabiah golf champion and Asaf is the reigning Israel champion. On the first hole, the foursome was joined by four-time world blind golf champion Zohar Sharon.

"This is a great day, great energy, wonderful crowd," said Lehman. "The course was fantastic, and I had three great playing partners. It was a thrill for me, my family, and all our friends to be here in Israel, and especially to take part in an event like today’s."

The writer is a student in the advanced course at the Caesarea Golf Club.