George Preisinger left this earth to join his wife, Helen, on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, as Thanksgiving week ended. Helen passed away Friday, April 7, 2017, on Masters weekend.  Their life together was a great love story of gratitude and golf, married 63 years. Please celebrate George and Helen's life with us, and share memories with all who loved them. Click the STORIES tab above & share your fond memories of Mom and Dad with all of us.

          Born August 31, 1925, in Pittsburgh, PA, George was the son of John J. and Margaret Kane Preisinger. He grew up in Badin, North Carolina, across the street from Stanly County CC, where he played golf with friends Earl Estridge, and Bill, Wallace and Johnny Palmer. George graduated in 1942 from the Badin School, enrolled at Mount St. Mary’s University in Maryland, then enlisted in the V-12 Naval program in Hoboken, NJ, to be a Naval Aviator. He attended Naval Flight Prep School at the Univ. of Pennsylvania, followed by Naval Pre-Flight School at UNC, finishing in the top 5% of all of his naval training programs. He completed active service in 1945.
          He attended NC State, playing on the golf team from 1946-1949. After graduating in ’49 with a degree in engineering, he re-enlisted in the Navy.He attended Naval Flight School in Corpus Christi, TX and Pensacola, FL and earned his wings in 1951.George flew an F6F hellcat and AF2W radar plane on the USS Sicily and USS Princeton carriers, flying most of his missions at night, which left time to play golf during the day with Commander Elmar S. Waring.
           George’s love of golf continued throughout his service. He competed on the Navy golf team and played in Guam, where he won the All Navy Tournament in 1953. George returned to North Island to marry the love of his life, Helen, in June of 1953. After a final tour of duty, he concluded his service in 1955, as Lieutenant Jr. grade, and declared himself a professional golfer later that year. George and Helen began their journey together on the road driving across the country, competing in PGA Tour events and starting a family. A son, George, Jr., and a daughter Tina, were born.
          After a few years on Tour, George and Helen settled in Georgia and two more children were born, son Mark and daughter Carol. George began his career as a Club professional, serving as Assistant Golf Pro at Capital City Club, Brookhaven, from 1959-1962. His first Head Golf Professional position was at Marietta Country Club, Marietta, GA, in 1963, earning Class A status in the PGA of America in 1964. During his time at MCC, George was instrumental in the design and construction of a second 9 holes. In 1975, George became Bent Tree Head Golf Professional, retiring in 1985. During his tenure as a Head Golf Professional, George enjoyed competing with members in Pro-Am tournaments at popular courses around the country, like Sea Island and Pebble Beach Resort. He developed a great reputation as a teacher, and is known for saying, “golf is a simple concept, its just not easy to play.” In 2010 George was honored by the PGA as a member of The Half-Century Club.
          George was preceded in death by his wife Helen Preisinger; brother Jack Preisinger; and sister Marilyn Vann. He is survived by a younger sister, Margie Haines, of Greensboro, NC.; son George, Jr. and wife Ro Preisinger of Sandy Springs; daughter Tina and husband Steve Vaughters of Oakman; son Mark Preisinger of Atlanta; daughter Carol Preisinger of Charleston, SC.; son-in-law Jerry Thomas of Jasper; daughter-in-law Ashley Preisinger of Atlanta; and six grandchildren, Michael Thomas, Katie Preisinger, Brooke Preisinger, Eva Joyner, Sami Preisinger, and John Preisinger. Interment will be at the Georgia National Cemetery, Canton, Ga. A Celebration of Life for George and Helen will be held at a later date.
John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  Dad's room number at Windsor Lodge was 315.