Golf pro born in Hampton dies in NYC traffic accident. - Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Wesley Mensing was a person who made a positive impact wherever he was, whether it was on the golf course, where he was a passionate instructor, or off it.

“He knew how to treat people properly,” said Scott Paris, director of golf at the Plainfield Country Club in New Jersey, where Mr. Mensing had been a golf instructor for about a year. “He made the club a better place.”

Mr. Mensing, 27, who grew up in Hampton, died after a vehicle hit him while he was crossing a street Saturday night in New York City. He was walking in the Upper East Side neighborhood of the borough of Manhattan with a woman who was injured in the accident.

His family, whom Mr. Paris said recently moved out of state, could not be reached for comment. He was not married.

Mr. Mensing was recently named to Golf Digest’s list of Best Young Teachers in America for 2014-15.

Mr. Paris said Sunday that Mr. 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, Mr. 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,” Mr. Paris said. “He got so much enjoyment helping people and getting to know them better, too.”

Mr. Mensing had only been hired last spring, but his death hit the Plainfield community hard. Mr. Paris said of the club staff: “They’re devastated.”

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.”

Andrew Goldstein: agoldstein@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1352