Men’s Golf League Results for Jan. 4, 8, 11 and 15

After a 10-day break for the Christmas and New Year holidays, 12 men of the Monday Golf League met at Riverview Golf Course in Santa Ana on Jan. 4. A very bright but cold morning greeted golfers on the par-70, 5,800-yard, 18-hole course. The Santa Ana River runs through the middle and has been dry since last March, but after the previous week’s rain, it had plenty of water. This course can be reconfigured when large amounts of rain flood several fairways and access roads to the back nine, making them unreachable. Though that was not the case this week, there had been some fairway flooding and significant riverbed erosion. The conditions led to more over par than under par scores, but there were seven birdies.

All scores are net (actual score minus handicap). A Flight handicaps range from 0-20; B flight is higher than 20.

A Flight Winners: First place: Sam Choi, 3 under 68, plus 2 birdies, fewest putts and closest to the pin on the 100-yard, par-3 ninth hole; second: tie between Bill McKusky, Larry Hillhouse and John Meyer at even par 71 (Hillhouse also had a birdie); third: tie between Dave LaCascia, Glenn Barry and Fujio Norihiro at 2 over 73 (LaCascia and Barry each had a birdie); sixth: Gary Stivers, plus a birdie; seventh: John Petersen, who was closest to the pin on the 150-yard, par-3 second hole.

B Flight Winners: First place: Bob Munn, 1 under 70, plus fewest putts; second: Gene Vesely, 3 over 74; third: Marv Ballard, 4 over 75.

On Jan. 8, 13 men and one woman of the Friday Golf League teed off at David L. Baker Golf Course after a two-week break. Baker is a par-62, 4,000-yard, 18-hole executive course, meaning it’s shorter than the norm and has no par 5s. There are shorter hole lengths (although you can still hit your driver), so you hit less shots, and the game can be completed more quickly. These courses were once popular with businessmen who liked to do deals while getting in a quick round during their lunch breaks. A traditional course generally requires six to eight hours to complete, but you can shave at least a couple of hours off on an executive round.

An extremely foggy morning greeted the golfers. The fog did not burn off until three-quarters of the way through the round. It was only possible to see the direction shots went and not where they landed until about the 15th hole. The dampness and cold air led to more over par than under par scores but yielded four birdies. The course itself was remarkably busy.

A Flight Winners: First place: Norihiro, 2 under 60; second: Jim Goltra, 1 under 61, plus a birdie and closest to the pin on the 110-yard par-3 third hole; third: Hillhouse, even par 62; fourth: Petersen, 3 over 65, plus closest to the pin on the 120-yard, par-3 15th hole; fifth: tie between Ron Jackson and Stivers; sixth: McKusky, plus fewest putts; seventh: LaCascia, plus 2 birdies; eighth: Barry; ninth: Choi.

B Flight Winners: First place: Tom Ross, 3 under 59, plus fewest putts; second: Meyer, 2 over 64, plus a birdie, third: Munn; fourth: Dale Quinn.

A very bright but cool morning greeted golfers who convened at Willowick Golf Course in Santa Ana on Jan. 11. Willowick is a par-70, 6,000-yard, 18-hole course with two back-to-back par 5s over 520 yards, an exceptionally long par 3 and two par 4s that are barely reachable in regulation.

Once the sun came out, the temperature climbed, and it became a lovely morning to play golf. The conditions led to more over par than under par scores, but there were seven birdies. The course itself was quite full.

A Flight Winners: First place: Hillhouse, 1 over 71; second: Choi, 2 over 72, plus a birdie, fewest putts and closest to the pin on the 140-yard, par-3 12th hole; third: LaCascia, 3 over 73; fourth: tie between Norihiro and Meyer; fifth: McKusky; sixth: Petersen.

B Flight Winners: First place: Munn, 3 over 73; second: Ballard, 5 over 75; third: Ross, plus fewest putts; fourth: Vesely, plus closest to the pin on the 140-yard, par-3 fourth hole; fifth: Meripol.

On Jan. 15, 10 men and two women challenged the Meadowlark Golf Course in Huntington Beach. The par-70, 5,800yard, 18-hole course has narrow, treelined fairways and many elevation changes; it was in excel- lent condition and yielded several scores at or under par, as well as two birdies.

It was sunny at 7 a.m., and by 10 a.m., the temperature had climbed to 80 degrees; it was pushing 90 at the round’s end.

A Flight Winners: First place: Hillhouse, 2 under 70, plus a birdie; second: tie between Norihiro and Meyer, even par 70; third: LaCascia, 1 over 71, plus a birdie; fourth: McKusky, 2 over 72, plus fewest putts; fifth: Petersen; sixth: Choi; seventh: Goltra. Norihiro had closest to the pins on the 140yard, par-3 seventh hole and the 150-yard, par-3 16th hole.

B Flight Winners: First place: Munn, 6 over 76, plus tie for fewest putts; second: Ross, plus tie for fewest putts; third: Meripol; fourth: Keiko Sekino.

Both the Monday and Friday Golf Leagues play at four local courses, all within 15 minutes of Leisure World, starting between 7-7:30 a.m., except holidays. The courses are David L. Baker in Fountain Valley, Meadowlark in Huntington Beach, Riverview in Santa Ana, and Willowick in Garden Grove. In general, masks are required at the pro shops, but optional while waiting to tee off. No masks are required on the putting greens, driving range or the course itself. Golfers are respectful of one other’s personal space, social distancing is observed, and there is no contact with others’ equipment. Golf carts are single person only unless riders are from the same household.

LW Men’s Club membership is not required, and friends, ladies, spouses and family are all welcome to play and/or join. There is a prize pool for each round that players are not obligated to enter. Prizes are awarded for low gross in each flight, birdies, closest to the pin on

two par-3s, and lowest number of

putts in each flight. Holes-in-One

and eagles, although infrequent, are generously rewarded. If interested, contact McKusky (562) 430-8618 or LaCascia (801) 674-5975.

Handicaps can be determined using local course handicap numbers and adjusted for the longer, more difficult courses outside Leisure World. Contact LaCascia for more information.

—Dave LaCascia

Marv Ballard tees off across the flooded riverbed at the Riverview Golf Course.