Men’s Golf League

On Dec. 1, 12 hardy golfers from the Leisure World Men’s Golf League visited the Willowick Course in Santa Ana. The 6,000 yard par-70 course has two 510 plus yard par-5s and several long par-3s that challenge everyone. The course maintenance has improved over the past few months, making it more fun to play, even though it is very long.

The sun was out at the 7 a.m. tee time, but it was quite cool for most of the round, and a bit damp due to overnight watering. Even with fair course conditions the course permitted only four of the 12 rounds to be net at or under par but allowed four birdies—three by Jim Goltra and one by Chris Lankford. Goltra had fewest putts in the “A” flight, and Bill McKusky in the “B.” Goltra was also closest to the pin on the 140-yard 12th hole. The always troublesome par-3 fourth hole again defied the golfers and saw no balls stay on the green.

A flight winners (handicaps 0-19): Jim Goltra, 2 under 68, first place; Chris Lankford, 1 under 69, second; Dave LaCascia, even par 70, third; Sam Choi, fourth; Gary Stivers, fifth.

B flight (handicaps 20 and over): Bob Munn, 3 under 67, first place; tie between Bill McKusky and Lowell Goltra, 1 over 71, second; John Meyer, third; Gene Vesely, fourth; Daniel Mahoney, fifth; Digna Vesely, sixth.

On Dec. 4, 16 golfers tackled the Riverview Golf Course in Santa Ana. The 5,600-yard par-70 course was in very good condition although the riverbed had a considerable amount of water in it—usually in all the wrong places for golfers.

The morning started out sunny but very cool and damp. It remained cool for several rounds, but as the sun rose, layers of clothes were shed. With good conditions the course permitted six of the 16 rounds to be net at or under par, and five birdies—two each by Steve Miller and Chris Lankford and one by Sam Choi. Choi had fewest putts in the “A” flight, and Lowell Goltra in the “B.” Larry Hillhouse was closest to the pin on the 140-yard second hole and Dave LaCascia was closest on the 100-yard ninth.

The golfers participated in a special greenie challenge on the 14th hole, which is a 140-yard par-3. Golfers had to drive entirely over the Santa Ana River flood plain and stay on a narrow but wide green. LaCascia, Miller, Lankford, and Daniel Mahoney achieved this daunting goal.

A flight winners (handicaps 0-19): tie between Choi and Gary Stivers, 4 under 66, first place; tie between LaCascia, Miller and Lankford, 1 under 69, second; Hillhouse, third; tie between Jim Goltra, Fujio Norihiro and Clay Fischer, fourth.

B flight winners (handicaps 20 and over): Lowell Goltra, even par 70, first place; Mahoney, second; tie between Tom Ross and Gene Vesely, third; tie between Bill McKusky, Bob Munn, and Bill Zurn, fourth.

The Monday and Friday 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 in playing can contact Gary Stivers at 714-313-3697 or Dave LaCascia at 801-674-5975. — Dave LaCascia