Brandon Garcelon '98

For the past 25 years, Brandon Garcelon has worked in various roles in education and athletics. However, in recent years, Brandon’s focus has been on the golf industry. He started at Boundary Oak Golf Course as their Assistant Golf Professional in 2017, before becoming the Director of Golf in 2021. Now, after nearly a decade at Boundary Oak, Brandon has returned to The First Tee of Contra Costa County as its Executive Director. 
 
The First Tee Program is dedicated to helping shape the lives of Contra Costa youth by using golf to teach life skills. Brandon’s role with The First Tee allows him to give back to the community through educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values, and promote healthy choices – all while growing the game of golf.

LIFE AFTER DE LA SALLE

Where did you go to college?
I worked right after graduation and took classes at DVC. I bounced around between 4-year schools and ultimately finished with a bachelor's in Business Management from the University of Phoenix and then a master's in Education from Saint Mary’s College of California.

Where do you currently work?
I currently work as the Executive Director for the First Tee - Contra Costa, which is a non-profit that promotes life skills and character-building concepts through the game of golf.

What do you most enjoy about your work?
As simple as it sounds, I really enjoy helping people. My current position allows me to create ideas and opportunities for young people while introducing a sport they can play for life. I don't know if it gets much better than that.

What is one thing you are most proud of?
My current endeavor. It provides me a challenge, and an opportunity to put my skills, ideas, and talents to work.

THE DE LA SALLE EXPERIENCE

If you could have dinner with any DLS teacher or administrator (past or present), who would it be and why?
Tough question... It would probably be Mr. Guelld. You have to graduate and go on in life to ultimately realize how he managed the personalities, needs, idiosyncrasies, attitudes, and stressors of close to 1,000 of us every year, and has done so for 20-plus years. That's Nobel laureate-level work in behavioral management. 

What is your fondest memory while at De La Salle?
Fall Fest - Freshman Year. Had a cover band playing in the quad. Ended the night with Magic Carpet Ride... Ended up being the theme for freshman year homecoming... and four years at DLS was a magic carpet ride.

What do you know now that you wish you knew during your time at De La Salle?
Be more involved. Be more present, in the moment. Don't assume anything. Don't sweat the small stuff.

What was something you absolutely loved being a part of at De La Salle?
The comradery between classes… Looking out for each other, the Brotherhood... all of it...

How would your fellow Spartans have described you when you attended De La Salle?
Probably a little bit of an everything... Firm, Fair, Fun.

What was one life lesson that De La Salle taught you?
Just be yourself, everyone else is taken.

JUST FOR FUN

If you had one year and unlimited funds, what would you do?
I would invest my salary back into the non-profit and continue working. Maybe take an extra week's vacation... nothing crazy. 

What's on your bucket list?
Play a round at Augusta National.

If you were a dessert, what would you be?
Chocolate Chip Cookie, who doesn't like a Chocolate Chip Cookie?

If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Tusk - Fleetwood Mac

What was the last gift you gave someone?
I paid for the Starbucks order behind me at the Drive-thru. I had no idea who they were. Maybe they kept it going?

Do you want to give a Spartan shoutout to any of your De La Salle friends and, if so, who?
Ed Massey, Class of '99, Andy Steen '97, and Tommy Pellegrini '95