Men’s Golf League Results
On May 3, nine men of the Men’s League teed off at Willowick Golf Course in Santa Ana. A cool morning greeted golfers at the oldest 18-hole public golf course in Orange County, but once the sun came out, it warmed up nicely.
Even with the length and challenge of this par-71, 6,000-plusyard course, the scores had seven players scoring below par, plus there were four birdies. The tees and greens were in great condition, though some work is still needed on the fairways.
“The Wick” is very flat, with a few elevated greens and yawning sand traps, but no water hazards. The back nine is more demanding than the front, with two par 5s that are more than 520 yards long. The par 3s are longer than normal and demand accurate tee shots, or trouble awaits left and right.
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: Glenn Barry, 4 under 67, plus a birdie; second: tie between Fujio NorihiroandBillMcKusky,1under 70; third: Gary Stivers, 3 over 74; fifth: Dave LaCascia, plus a birdie and closest to the pin on the 140yard, par-3 fourth hole. McKusky also had a birdie and fewest putts.
B Flight Winners: First place: Bill Zurn, 5 under 66, plus closest to the pin on the 130-yard, par-3 12th hole; second: Bob Munn, even par 71, plus fewest putts; third: Gene Vesely; fourth: Marv Ballard.
Later that week, the Meadowlark Golf Club in Huntington Beach welcomed 10 men and one woman, plus guests Ron and Summer and Bob Meripol. Situated just miles from the Pacific Ocean, Meadowlark is a picturesque golf club that has the occasional windy and overcast day—including May 7, when it never warmed up.
Meadowlark is a par-70, 5,800yard course, with numerous water hazards and strategically placed sand traps, designed to catch errant drives or approach shots. The fairways were in great shape, but the recently aerated greens and were still not 100 percent recovered. The players accepted these challenges, and with the marginal conditions, only six of the 13 rounds were under par, plus there were only two birdies.
A Flight Winners: First place: tie between Stivers, Tim Looney and Norihiro, 3 under 67; second: McKusky, even par 70; third: Jim Goltra, 1 over 71; fourth: Dave LaCascia, 2 over 72; and fifth: Ron Jackson, 4 over 74. Norihiro and McKusky tied for fewest putts. LaCascia was closest to the pin on the 140-yard, par-3 seventh hole, and Norihiro was closest on the 130-yard, par-3 15th hole. Looney had the only two birdies of the round, plus he carded a “greenie” on the challenging 130-yard, par-3 fourth hole.
B Flight Winners: First place: Lowell Goltra, 1 under 69, plus fewest putts; second: Tom Ross, 4 over 74; third; Liz Meripol; fourth: Munn.
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.
—Dave LaCascia
