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Long Beach Golf Hall of Fame Welcomes Three New Inductees
By Staff Writer
Published on Tue, Aug 25, 2026
The City of Long Beach is celebrating three longtime contributors to the local golf community as Joey Cerulle, Bill McCormick and Mike Ortega join the Long Beach Golf Hall of Fame as its 2026 inductees.
Created in 1996, the Long Beach Golf Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have made a lasting impact on golf in Long Beach. With this year’s class, the Hall of Fame includes 99 members, reflecting the city’s longstanding tradition of developing golfers, hosting tournaments and supporting the sport at all levels.
Joey Cerulle
Joey Cerulle has dedicated decades to developing golfers and strengthening the local golf community. A Lakewood resident, Cerulle began his involvement in Long Beach golf as a member of the Long Beach Junior Golf Association at Heartwell Park Golf Course and has continued to support youth golf as a volunteer instructor.
From 2009 to 2021, Cerulle served as head coach of the women's golf team at California State University, Long Beach, earning Big West Coach of the Year honors in 2018 and 2019. Under his leadership, the team won two Big West Team Championships and seven tournament titles, with five teams or individuals advancing to NCAA Regional Championships.
Since 2022, Cerulle has coached boys' golf at Valley Christian High School, leading the team to two undefeated league championship seasons. He has also volunteered with the CIF-Southern Section Golf Committee and supported efforts to bring live internet scoring to the Long Beach Open.
Bill McCormick
A Long Beach native, Bill McCormick built a championship golf career that began at Recreation Park South 9-Hole Golf Course before progressing to Recreation Park 18 Golf Course and a range job with fellow Golf Hall of Fame member George Lake.
A Millikan High School graduate, McCormick was named to the Long Beach Press-Telegram All-City golf team three times from 1960 to 1962. He won three Skylinks Club Championships and three Long Beach Masters titles from 1962 to 1964, along with three Long Beach City Match Play Championships, the 1964 Los Angeles City Championship and So Cal Public Links Championship and the 1966 Southwest Amateur Championship.
McCormick's golf career was interrupted by military service during the Vietnam War, including service in Korea. After returning, he qualified for the 1969 San Diego Open at Torrey Pines on the PGA Tour. Although he ultimately stepped away from professional competition, his accomplishments and longtime connection to Long Beach golf have left a lasting mark on the local community.
Mike Ortega
Mike Ortega has played a significant role in shaping public golf in Long Beach and throughout Southern California. Although a Torrance resident, Ortega has spent decades working with Long Beach golf organizations and advocating for local golfers.
He served on the Skylinks Board of Directors from 1985 to 2005, including as president in 1996, and on the Southern California Public Links Golf Association Board of Directors from 1995 to 2010, serving as president from 2003 to 2006. He later served on the Southern California Golf Association Board of Directors from 2011 to 2024, including as president in 2023.
Ortega was instrumental in the merger between the Southern California Public Links Golf Association and the Southern California Golf Association, helping bring Long Beach's public golf courses into the larger organization. He has also volunteered at dozens of major professional and amateur championships, including the PGA Championship, U.S. Senior Open, U.S. Amateur Championship and 2026 U.S. Women's Open. He has served on the Los Angeles County Golf Advisory Group since 2016.
Long Beach's golf tradition stretches back more than a century, with the city's first golf course opening at the original Virginia Country Club site in 1909 before becoming The Municipal Links in 1922 and eventually Recreation Park 18 Golf Course. Today, Long Beach is home to five municipal golf courses serving everyone from beginners to experienced players, with facilities and amenities designed to make golf accessible year-round.
The 2026 inductees will join a growing group of golfers, coaches, volunteers and community leaders whose contributions have helped make golf an important part of Long Beach's recreational and sporting legacy.
For the complete list of Long Beach Golf Hall of Fame inductees and more information about the city's municipal golf courses, visit the Long Beach Golf Hall of Fame and Long Beach Golf webpages.
