Where Are They Now? Frank Bensel, Jr.

What Made OLS Special to Frank Bensel, Jr:

“OLS was an incredible grammar school, not only for me, but my 5 siblings. It was a great environment to learn because of the excellent teachers, fellow students and coaches. Some of the best memories were playing on winning basketball teams and being coached by the likes of Tom O’Toole and Rich Hillebrecht. Best of all is the community of friends and families that will forever be in my life.”

Here’s what Frank has been up to in the years since he graduated from OLS in 1982:

Frank with his Dad, Frank Sr., on his OLS 8th grade graduation day in 1982.

After spending a good portion of his career at historic places such as Winged Foot Golf Club, Century Country Club, and the Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida, Frank Bensel, Jr., is currently a lead golf instructor at the Country Club at Mirasol in Jupiter, FL, and at Galloway National Golf Club in Galloway, NJ.

His playing career in professional golf is a storied one, having:

Represented the United States in the 2022 PGA Cup in Surrey, England
Competed and made the cut in the US Senior Open at Southern Hills in 2024
Runner up in the 2021 PGA Professional National Championship
Been a Met Open Champion
Two-time Met PGA Section Champion
New York State Open Champion
Three-time Connecticut Open Champion
Three-time National Assistant Professional Champion
Qualified for and competed in a U.S. Open, three PGA Championships, the U.S. Senior Open, Four Senior PGA Championships

Last year, in the U.S. Senior Open at Newport Country Club, Frank accomplished something special that had never been accomplished in USGA History, hitting back-to-back hole-in-ones on the fourth and 5^th holes!!! His 14-year-old son Hagen (named after legendary golfer Walter Hagen) was caddying for him, and he had his sister Anne (OLS Class of 1980), brother-in-law Steve Steinthal (OLS Class of 1979), nephew Jack Davenport and Timmy Daly in attendance with other friends cheering him on.

Frank, left, with his son (and caddy!) Hagen at the 2024 U.S. Senior Open, where he achieved his miraculous feat.

According the national hole-in-one registry, the odds for one player making two holes in one in the same round is 67million to 1!!

The 6 Iron he hit for both shots, the balls, and the glove are in the USGA Museums in Liberty Corner, NJ, and Pinehurst, NC.

Frank is a happily married to wife Alynn, and is the father of four children: Hagen, Wynn, Frances and Faith.