Men’s Golf League
May 17 was another dark, gloomy morning. The “May gray” lingered at Meadowlark Golf Course in Huntington Beach, but a freshening breeze began toward the end of the round for the nine men and one guest who had gathered.
Meadowlark is a beautiful, par-70, 5,800-yard course that was designed to include its natural terrain. Manicured and undulating greens, plus a variety of water hazards, hills and elevated tees create a spectacular backdrop for golf. The tees, fairways and greens were in great condition, and it was surprising that only two of the 10 rounds were under par and the course yielded just three 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: Jim Goltra, even par 70; second: tie between Dave LaCascia and Fujio Norihiro, 1 over 71; third: tie between Bill McKusky and Glenn Barry, 2 over 72; fifth: Larry Hillhouse; sixth: Gary Stivers. Goltra, Norihiro and McKusky each had a birdie. Norihiro had the fewest puts and was closest to the pin on the 150-yard, par-3 16th hole; Barry was closest on the 140-yard (all over water), par-3 seventh hole.
B Flight Winners: First place: Bob Munn, 3 under 67, plus fewest putts; second: Tom Ross.
The weather was less gloomy on May 21, when Willowick Golf Club in Santa Ana welcomed nine men, one woman and one guest. The day was sunny and warmed up quickly, though it got windier throughout the morning.
The par-70, nearly 6,000-yard course features yawning and strategically placed sand traps but no water hazards. The greens are in good shape, but the fairways are not. With the poor fairway conditions, only two of the 10 rounds were under par, and the course yielded just three birdies.
A Flight Winners: First place: Tim Looney, 2 under 68; second: McKusky, even par 70; third: tie between LaCascia and Stivers, 3 over 73; fourth: Hillhouse; fifth: Barry; sixth: Norihiro. Looney had fewest putts, and LaCascia had a birdie. Barry was closest to the pin on the 140-yard, par-3 fourth hole, and Bob Meripol was closest on the 145-yard, par-3 12th hole. LaCascia and Norihiro each had a “greenie” on the challenging 140-yard, par-3 seventh hole.
B Flight Winners: First place: tie between Liz Meripol and Munn, 2 over 72; second: Bob Meripol, 3 over 73. Munn also had fewest putts and a birdie. Guest Clay Fischer also played well.
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.
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 at (562) 430-8618 or LaCascia at (801) 674-5975.
—Dave LaCascia
