Ronald Samuel Reitz, loving husband and father, master golfer, teacher and mentor entered eternal life on Friday June 17, 2022. His spirit is carried on by his wife, his two children, seven grandchildren and an extended family of relations and friends from every walk of life. Ronnie was born to Richard and Daisy Reitz on March 10, 1941 in Wernersville, Pennsylvania. As a youth, he developed a strong athletic background by participating in basketball, baseball, soccer and golf. He was inducted into the Conrad Weiser High School Hall of Fame for three sports. After winning the state championship in golf with a bag of lost and found clubs, none of which came from the same set, he was offered numerous golf scholarships. Ronnie chose to attend PGA school in Florida and upon graduation joined the staff at Carolina Country Club in Raleigh, NC. Here was where he crossed paths with a young lifeguard and his future wife, Carolyn Murray.
Ronnie’s accomplishments and the gifts he shared with others throughout his life centered around three primary areas: his love for family, his love for the game of golf, and his love for Christ. Though Ronnie considered many family, his greatest affection was for those closest to him. Ronnie and Carolyn were married for 59 years and were devoted to one another. What one was involved in, the other was also involved in; they were inseparable. Ronnie loved his children, Edie and Beau, unconditionally. He was the father little girls looked up to for Edie and showed his support for her from her medal winning swimming and cheerleading years to recent simple chats while traveling around together. With Beau, he shared his love and knowledge of golf along with his fanatical love for Duke Basketball. Papa Ronnie tried to brainwash the grandchildren to love Duke as much as he did, and he kept them entertained with his jokes and letting them steal his ice cream.
Ronnie had over 55 years of golf experience. As a player, he was successful in several Carolinas PGA Sectional Tournaments and was a qualifier other PGA Tournaments. ln 1967 he qualified for the National Professional Golf Championship (Columbine, Colorado) and played well enough to be at the top of the leader board. Ronnie was honored by the National PGA as a teacher and for his work in the promotion of junior golf. He was recognized as the Carolinas PGA Teacher of the Year, and twice as the Carolinas PGA Junior Promoter of the Year. He served on the Carolinas PGA Board and other various committees within the Carolinas PGA Section. Ronnie was Head Professional at North Ridge Country Club for fourteen years, Wake Forest Country Club for several years, and River Ridge Golf Club for four years. Most recently, Ronnie was involved with teaching and junior golf at Wildwood Green Golf Club.
His work was instrumental in developing the Triangle Junior Golf Program, and in developing the Executive Women’s Golf League in Wake County. Ronnie’s assistance with EWGA nationally helped this organization grow into a successful golf program for women throughout the country. He served as a lead golf instructor at Fellowship of Christian Athletes Golf Camps and helped develop the YMCA Seagull and Seafarer Golf Camps. Within Wake County, he coached several high school men’s and women’s golf teams that produced several successful junior players. From this group came NCHSAA State Champions, Conference Players of the Year, and an ACC Player of the Year. He was an energetic, patient, fun-loving golf instructor who coached all experience levels.
Above all, Ronnie believed the only way to walk with God was to keep God in the center of his life. He devoted fifteen years as a leader and mentor with Bible Study Fellowship which reinforced to him that his life was truly about God first, not golf.
Ronnie is survived by his wife, Carolyn Murray Reitz; daughter, Edith Elizabeth Rhyne (Bob); son, Ronald “Beau” S. Reitz, II; grandchildren: Robert Rhyne, Bailey Rhyne, Noah Reitz, Preston Reitz, Savannah Reitz, Tristan Aiken and Bella Aiken. In addition to his parents, Ronnie was preceded in death by his sister, Dawn Pettaline.
A service to celebrate Ronnie’s life will be held at 11:00am on June 27, 2022 at Richland Creek Community Church, 3229 Burlington Mills Road Wake Forest, NC 27587. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, 701 Oakwood Avenue Raleigh, NC 27601.
His family will receive relatives and friends from 9:30 am to 10:45 am on June 27, 2022 at Richland Creek Community Church.
Memorial contributions honoring Ronnie may be made to Richland Creek Community Church.
2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
