For 32 years from 1925 until 1957, Willie Klein served the membership of Wheatley Hills as their head professional.  He was a 3 time winner of the Long Island Open including the inaugural in 1922 and then successfully defended that title in 1923.  In 1932 he captured the Metropolitan PGA Championship as well.  But it was in national championships that his record is perhaps most remarkable.  He qualified for 7 National PGA Championships and held a 3-6 record in this match play format.  He also qualified for 11 United States Open Championships, making a remarkable 10 cuts and recorded two top 25 finishes.  His top finish was a tie for 9th in the 1926 US Open.  The New York State Golf Association which was the last of the State associations to be launched in 1923 held their inaugural Open Championship at Onondaga in 1928 and gained notoriety by having Willie Klein as their first champion.