Three generations of Charles Lewises have been noted golfers in Arkansas since the early 1900s. But there’s only one Junior, and he’s the stuff legends are made of. Charles F. Lewis Jr., the beloved head golf professional at the Country Club of Little Rock (CCLR) for 30 years, turned 90 last November. He entered the Arkansas Golf Hall of Fame in 1997 and the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2002. He is one of the three generations of golfers. His father, Charles Sr., emigrated to the United States from “the old country,” England, to earn a better living as a golf pro. He worked at clubs in Michigan, Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma. His son, Charles III, was a noted amateur golfer who beat Jack Nicklaus in a preliminary round of the 1959 U.S. Amateur en route to a semifinal finish. He was head golf professional at Kansas City’s Mission Hills Country Club from 1972 to 2000. Junior, also known as “Pro,” came to CCLR as assistant to the legendary Herman Hackbarth in 1951. When Hackbarth retired after a 50-year career there, Junior moved up to head pro, a position he filled from 1956-86. He, too, became a legend. During an 80-year span, CCLR had just two head golf professionals. “I couldn’t have found a better place if I’d waited and waited and waited,” a spry Lewis told an old friend recently during an interview at his cozy home, which is a short cart ride from the club. “The whole thing was just good. I couldn’t pick out a favorite part. They’ve been so good to me, I couldn’t name just one thing. I couldn’t work at any better place if I’d looked years and years and years.” Darrell Shelton, in his 15th season as CCLR’s head golf professional after arriving from Belle Meade in Nashville, Tenn., said Lewis had been invaluable to him. (Please see the August 2008 issue of AY magazine to read the article in its entirety)