LW Men’s Golf League

On Jan. 5, the first Friday of the new year, 11 golfers from the Leisure World Men’s Golf League challenged the par-62 David L. Baker Executive Golf Course in Fountain Valley. Executive courses are designed to be played in a shorter amount of time (three hours vs. four and a half) and at a much shortage yardage (4,000 yards. vs. 5,800). Typically, there are no par 5s, and an equal amount of par 3s and par 4s.

With good playing conditions, and tee boxes set midrange, seven of the 11 scores were net at or below par, and there were seven birdies—three by Clay Fischer, and one each by Sam Choi, Jim Goltra, Chris Lankford and Gene Vesely. Choi also had fewest putts in the A flight, and Bill McKusky in the B. Fischer was closest to the pin on the 100-yard par-3 third hole, and Vesely was closest on the 110-yard par-3 15th hole.

A flight winners (handicaps 0-19): Fischer, 8 under 54, first place; Choi, 5 under 57, second; Fujio Norihiro, 3 under 59, third; Jim Goltra, 2 under 60, fourth; tie between Lankford and Gary Stivers, fifth.

B flight winners (handicaps 20 and over): McKusky, 11 under 51, first place; tie between Vesely and Bob Munn, 4 under 59, second; tie between Lowell Goltra and Tom Ross, third.

On Monday, Jan. 8, 13 bundled up golfers defied the chill at the Willowick Golf Course in Santa Ana. Willowick is a 6,000-yard par-71 course that, surprisingly, has no water hazards. Instead, it substitutes several 520-plus yard par 5s, and very long par 3s, creating additional challenges for the average golfer.

Even with decent playing conditions, only four of the 11 scores were net at or below par, and there was just one birdie by Sam Choi. Choi also had fewest putts in the A flight, and Bill Zurn in the B. Daniel Mahoney was closest to the pin on the 140-yard par-3 12th hole. The always frustrating par-3 fourth hole had no one capture the closest to the pin this round.

A flight winners (handicaps 0-19): Choi, at even par 71, first place; Jim Goltra, 1 over 72, second; Norihiro, 2 over 73, third; tie between Lankford, Fischer and Stivers, fourth.

B flight winners (handicaps 20 and over): Vesely, 3 under 68, first place; McKusky, 2 under 69, second; Lowell Goltra, 1 under 70, third; tie between Mahoney, Zurn, Digna Vesely and Bob Munn, 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 801674-5975.

—Dave LaCascia