Men’s Golf League Results Oct. 14 and 17

Friday Golf at David L. Baker Executive Golf Course in Fountain Valley

Fifteen golfers from the Leisure World Men’s Golf League played Oct. 14 at the always challenging 4,000-yard, par 62 David L. Baker Executive Golf Course in Fountain Valley. Situated within Mile Square Park, David L. Baker has a full size golf practice range with two large putting/chipping greens and the snack bar is open.

Baker is the shortest course the league plays with no par 5’s and relatively short par 3’s and 4’s. It is designed to be played quickly. There are numerous water hazards on this course, but has generally wide, forgiving fairways with numerous sand traps guarding the greens. Recently the club updated its lights and now is open from 5 a.m.-10 p.m. with full course lighting during dark hours.

The weather was overcast and cool for the beginning of the round. The course had been well watered, and the greens were very unpredictable due to standing water and dew. The combination of the humidity and dampness made determining the correct club for driving and approach shots a continuing challenge.

Tee boxes and fairways are still getting much needed attention with many fairways tagged as “under repair” while undergoing maintenance. The greens continue to be in great condition helping to make an enjoyable round. Considering the fair playing conditions the course allowed 12 of the 15 to shoot below par scores, but only allowed three birdies.

Winners: AFlight(handicaps0-19)— First place: Bill McKusky, a terrific 6 under 56; second: Sam Choi, a hard-earned 5 under 57; third: Dave LaCascia a wellplayed 3 under 59, plus 2 birdies and tied for fewest putts; fourth: Fujio Norihiro, a nice 1 under 61, plus tied for fewest putts; fifth: tie between Glenn Barry (with closest to the pin on the 140-yard par 3 twelfth hole )and Tim Looney (with a birdie), at even par 62; sixth: tie between Gary Stivers (with closest to the pin on the 100-yard par 3 third hole) and Larry Hillhouse.

B Flight (handicaps 20 and over)— First place: Liz Meripol, an excellent 8 under 54; second: Digna Vesely, a super 6 under 56, plus low putts; third: Bob Munn, a very good 4 under 58; fourth: Ron Jackson, a sweet 2 under 60; fifth: Lowell Goltra, a nice 1 under 61; sixth: tie between Gene Vesely and William Hillhouse, at even par 62.

Monday Golf at Willowick Golf Course in Santa Ana

Ten golfers from the Leisure World Men’s Golf League played Oct. 17 at the tough 6,000-yard par 71 Willowick Golf Course in Santa Ana. Located in the heart of Santa Ana, 5 miles west of Disneyland, Willowick Golf Course is the oldest 18-hole public golf course in Orange County. The course offers a grass driving range with two sets of tees, and three practice putting/chipping greens. Their snack bar is only open periodically.

This week the course was aerating the back nine, so the league played the front nine (par 35, 2,400 yards) twice. Uniquely, there are no water hazards on this course, but long, narrow fairways and well-guarded greens test everyone. Willowick is quite flat so many golfers walk the course.

The weather was sunny but cool for most the of the round; however, the greens were very wet for the entire round making putting a significant challenge. Tee boxes and fairways are getting much needed attention and the greens continue to be well maintained making for an enjoyable round.

Considering the fair playing conditions the course allowed five of the 10 golfers to shoot net below par, and there were three birdies.

Winners: AFlight(handicaps0-19)— First place: Gary Stivers, a terrific 7 under 63, plus 2 birdies and fewest putts; second: Sam Choi, a hard-earned 6 under 64, plus closest to the pin on the 140-yard par 3 sixteenth hole; third: Dave LaCascia, a well-played 3 under 67, plus a birdie; fourth: Bill McKusky.

B Flight (handicaps 20 and over)— First place: Bob Munn, an excellent 5 under 65; second: Liz Meripol, a super 2 under 68; third: Tom Ross, at 2 over 72; fourth tie between Gene Vesely (with a birdie and fewest putts) and Bill Zurn, a sweet 2 under 60; fifth: Digna Vesely. The Monday and Friday greens golf leagues play at four local courses, all within 15-20 minutes of Leisure World.

The courses the group plays are always quite full, so advance league reservations are required with a sign-up sheet available at each round. There is a prize pool for each round that players are not obligated to enter. Rewards are given for low net in each flight, birdies, closest to the pin on two par threes, and for the lowest number of putts in each flight. Holes-in-one and Eagles (2 under par), although infrequent, are generously rewarded. Those interested should contact Gary Stivers at (714) 313-3697 or Dave LaCascia at (801) 674-5975.

—Dave LaCascia