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Perfect Start

Golfer’s touch keeps things right on course

By James Raia
September 2026

When Campus Commons Golf Course welcomed the public back in 2025 after a four-year hiatus, David Levin played on opening day. The lifelong golfer loved the greens and volunteered to repair ball marks.

His enthusiasm was noticed. Levin was offered a job as a starter on the nine-hole layout that parallels the American River Parkway near the Tara O’Sullivan Memorial Bridge.

Levin, 79, works Saturdays for six hours beginning at 6:30 a.m. He’s in a golf cart near the first hole. He greets players, answers questions and keeps the flow of play steady on the par-3 course that opened in 1971.

“I’ve always enjoyed getting along with people,” Levin says. “I know how to deal with people. You can get people to agree with you if you present something, you know, in a certain way that’s acceptable to them.

“You give something to them like they’re making the decision. I’ve never had any problem dealing with the public. My father was very gregarious. I picked up a lot of my manners from him.”

Campus Commons Golf Course closed in 2021 because of levee repair work along the American River by the Army Corps of Engineers. The course was abandoned but reopened last year by the county after a redesign.

The 1,185-yard layout doesn’t have bunkers. It caters to new golfers and experienced players sharpening their skills. A new pro shop and small restaurant helped to increase business.

Levin is among several volunteer marshals. Many know him as a national-level soccer referee. Others remember him as a businessman. With his wife Donna, he owned New York Bagel Boys in East Sac for 30 years.

The Levins met when both were traveling by ship to Europe. They married on a golf course in Alberta, Canada. David played 36 holes that same day. The couple raised two children and recently celebrated 48 years of marriage.

Levin began playing golf at age 8 in New Jersey. He built a hole in his backyard with an old dryer. He recalls playing with his mother and hitting his first tee shot 150 yards.

Levin captained his high school golf team. He played soccer and golf at Tufts University near Boston.

“It’s a funny story,” he says. “During a spring break, I grew a mustache and sideburns. The coach came to me and said the team had a meeting, and I would be allowed to keep my mustache. But when the team picture was taken, my mustache had been airbrushed out of the photo.”

Levin plays twice a week at Mather Golf Course. He’s shot his age several times, including a 78 at Swenson Park Golf Course in Stockton. He has golf privileges at Campus Commons where he tests the course along with his wife and enjoys Saturday marshaling duties.

“I just like to talk to the people,” Levin says. “You know, you kind of keep things light.”