Men’s Golf League

Meadowlark Golf Course in Huntington Beach was the site of the Leisure World Men’s Golf League play on Jan. 12. Ten players and a guest challenged the par-70 course on a brisk 39-degree morning with some sun. Meadowlark is always in great shape although usually quite damp for the early players.

Even with good playing conditions, only four of the 10 league scores were net at or below par, and there were five birdies—one each by Sam Choi, Jim Goltra, Chris Lankford, Bill McKusky and Bob Munn. Goltra also had fewest putts in the A flight, and McKusky in the B. Gary Stivers was closest to the pin on both the 140-yard par-3 seventh (all over water) and 150-yard par-3 16th holes.

A flight winners (handicaps 0-19): Lankford, 2 under 68, first place; Goltra, 1 under 69, second; tie between Clay Fischer and Stivers, third; tie between Choi and Fujio Norihiro, fourth.

B flight winners (handicaps 20 and over): McKusky, 2 under 68, first place; Bill Zurn, even par 70, second; Munn, third; Gene Vesely, fourth.

On Monday, Jan. 15, 11 league members and two guests dressed warmly and defied the cold and damp at the David L. Baker Golf Course in Santa Ana. Baker is a 4,000-yard par-62 executive golf course with abundant water hazards and deep sand traps that challenge all who play, even with the shorter course length.

Monday was cold even though the sun shone brightly. Greens and fairways (although wet from the cool overnight weather) were in good shape, but any wayward shots into water and traps cost players dearly. With decent playing conditions, nine of the 11 scores were net at or below par, and there seven birdies—two each by Sam Choi and Fujio Norihiro, and one each by Chris Lankford, Jim Goltra, and Bob Munn. Lankford also had fewest putts in the A flight, and Munn in the B. Tom Ross was closest to the pin on the 100-yard par-3 third hole, and Choi was closest on the 130-yard par-3 12th hole.

A flight winners (handicaps 0-19): Norihiro, 6 under 56, first place; tie between Lankford and Jim Goltra, 2 under 60, second; Gary Stivers, even par 62, third; Choi, fourth.

B flight winners (handicaps 20 and over): Tie between Lowell Goltra, Steve Miller and Tom Ross, 3 under 59, first place; Daniel Mahoney, 1 under 61, second; Bill McKusky, even par 62, third; 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 (two under par), although infrequent, are generously rewarded. Those interested in playing can contact Gary Stivers at 714313-3697 or Dave LaCascia at 801-674-5975.

—Dave LaCascia