Men’s Golf League

Nine Men’s League golfers gathered on June 14 to challenge the par-70, 5,800-yard Meadowlark Golf Course in Huntington Beach. At tee time, it was already a beautiful morning that the weatherman warned would become very hot. Fortunately, the men finished the round just as the temperature was reaching 80.

Meadowlark has fairways that are mostly fairly flat, but several have dramatic elevation changes. With fiendish sand traps and cleverly placed water hazards, the course is a challenge to all levels. The greens and fairways were in excellent condition, and there was little wind, but the golfers produced only three rounds under par and just two 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, a very nice 4 under 66; second: Larry Hillhouse, 3 under 67; third: tie between Gary Stivers and Bill McKusky, 1 over 71; fourth: Dave LaCascia; fifth: Fujio Norihiro. Hillhouse had both birdies and fewest putts, while LaCascia was closest to the pin on the 140-yard, par-3 16th hole.

B Flight Winners: First place: Bill Zurn, an excellent 4 under 66; second: Bob Munn, 2 over 72; third: Gene Vesely. Zurn had fewest putts and was closest on the 130-yard (all over water) seventh hole.

On June 18, the Willowick Golf Club in Santa Ana hosted 11 men and one guest of the league. Willowick is the oldest public course in Orange County, as well as the longest the league plays. It is a par-70, 6,000-yard course that is flat, with long, wide fairways (several longer than 520 yards) and purposely placed sand traps, but no water hazards. The greens and fairways were in good condition, and at tee time, the day was sunny with no wind, but humidity was very high. Though there were only six at or under par rounds, the golfers produced five birdies and one rare, chip-in eagle.

A Flight Winners: First place: Tim Looney, a terrific 6 under 64, plus an eagle on the par-5 11th hole; second, Hillhouse, a very nice 3 under 67; third: McKusky, even par 70; fourth: Choi, 1 over 71; fifth: Jim Goltra, 3 over 73; sixth: tie between LaCascia and Norihiro; seventh: Stivers. Jim Goltra had three birdies, and LaCascia and Choi had one each. Jim Goltra and Norihiro tied for fewest putts. Looney was closest to the pin on the 140-yard, par-3 fourth hole.

B Flight Winners: First place: Ron Sommer, 2 under 68; second: Bob Meripol, 1 under 69; third: Lowell Goltra, even par 70; fourth: tie between Vesely and Munn, 1 over 71. Vesely had fewest putts, plus a birdie. Lowell Goltra was closest to the pin on the 140-yard, par-3 second hole.

The courses the group plays are always full, so advance reservations have become the norm; a sign-up sheet is available at each round.

There is a prize pool for each round that players are not obligated to enter. If interested, contact, Bill McKusky at (562) 430-8618 or Dave LaCascia at (801) 674-5975.

—Dave LaCascia