Wesley Mensing, Plainfield C.c Professional, Dies Tragically
Wesley Mensing hired just a year ago as Plainfield Country Club’s first-ever director of instruction, was tragically killed in New York City on Saturday night, Jan. 3, when he was struck by an SUV as he crossed an Upper East Side street.
The award-winning professional, 27, died when he and Erin Sauchelli, 30, were hit by a Mercedes SUV as they crossed Lexington Ave. at E. 62nd St. about 7:20 p.m., police said. Mensing, a native of Hamilton, Pa., outside of Pittsburgh, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sauchelli is in stable condition at New York-Presbyterian Hospital with head and leg injuries, officials said. The driver, identified by police as Aliou Diallo, was issued a summons for driving without a license.
“The New Jersey golf community mourns his loss,” said Frank O’Brien, president of the New Jersey State Golf Association and a former president of the Plainfield C.C. “Wesley was a wonderful young man with a bright future ahead of him. He was acknowledged as one of the best young instructors in the United States. To see a life taken so suddenly is a terrible tragedy.”
Mensing was recently named to Golf Digest’s list of Best Young Teachers in America for 2014-15.
WES MENSING INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO
Scott Paris, Plainfield’s Director of Golf, said that Mensing was “proud” of the award, but “because he was an incredibly modest person, I don’t think he was comfortable with it.”
At Plainfield, Mensing taught individual golf lessons, taught in its junior golf program and led several weekly clinics and two-day golf schools.
“He just wanted to help people get better at the game,” Paris said. “He got so much enjoyment helping people and getting to know them better, too.”
Mensing had only been hired by Paris in December, 2013, and began work at the Edison club in April. His death hit the Plainfield community hard. Paris said of the club staff: “They’re devastated.”
Though Mensing was just 26 at the time he was hired, Paris said he was struck by his maturity and easygoing, good-hearted demeanor.
“Wes had this ability to connect with people regardless of their age, gender, whether they were new to golf. It didn’t matter,” said Paris, who has worked at the course for 18 years.
He added: “So few people come along with that combination of skill, passion and incredible personality. We’re stunned, and we’re saddened, but we’re blessed that we did get to spend time with him.”
Mensing’s “incredible” listening skills allowed him to help anyone looking to improve their golfing skills and made him a magnet instructor, Paris said.
Mensing was as compassionate in life as he was skilled on the green, said Paris.
“He was just a class act,” Paris told the Daily News. “We’re stunned. We’re saddened. It’s really tough for the whole Plainfield Country Club family.”
Mensing, who was residing in Scotch Plains, quickly exceeded his superior’s expectations, Paris said.
“His career was off to an incredible start,” Paris said, noting that Mensing was featured in Golf Digest in November as one of the best young golf teachers in America.
“Beyond that, his skill and passion as an instructor was never-ending,” Paris continued. “Here we are in the off-season and he’s spending all his time observing other golf teachers ... simply trying to get better, trying to help others more.
“Wes was just a pleasure to be with. He really knew how to treat people,” Paris said. “If he had a bad day, no one knew it. He was incredibly upbeat, engaging, a really good listener. From titans of different industries to people in a restaurant ... he just treated people with an incredible level of respect. We all just wanted to be around him, whether it was working, playing golf or outside the workplace.”
In November, he bolstered his résumé even more, adding a golf-instructor job at Midtown’s Golf & Body course to his accomplishments.
“We were happy and proud to have him,” said manager Jeannine Harrington. “When [instructors] are young and they are able to attract clients, it’s not just personality, it’s skill.”
