Riverview course shortens play to nine holes

MEN'S GOLF LEAGUE

The Leisure World Men’s Golf League played Riverview Golf Course on Feb. 16. Nine intrepid golfers confronted a sodden course with a 53-degree, overcast morning. The golfers teed off onto a damp course with windless, cloudy skies. The sun did not appear until the round was over and golfers were enjoying the benefits of the 19th hole—also known as the on-site café.

Riverview is a 5,800-yard par-71 course that due to flooding damage had to be turned into a nine hole par-30 course played twice to make for an 18 hole par-60 round. Only one side of the Santa Ana River, which runs down the center of the course, could be used due to excessive ruin caused by the upstream dam being opened.

The shortened course and advantageous pin positions led to eight of the nine rounds being under net par. Closest to the pins on both the ninth and 16th holes was Fujio Norihiro. Jim Goltra was closest on the second hole. Sam Choi had fewest putts for the A flight and Lowell Goltra had fewest in the B. Two birdies were carded by Norihiro and Jim Goltra. Dave LaCascia had one.

A flight winners (handicaps of 0-19): Choi, 8 under 52, first place; Norihiro, 5 under 55, second; Jim Goltra, 3 under 57, third; tie between Gary Stivers and LaCascia, 2 under 58, fourth; Chris Lankford, fifth.

B flight winners (handicaps over 19): Lowell Goltra, 13 under 47, first place; Bob Munn, 3 under 57, second; Bill McKusky, 1 under 59, third.

The Monday and Friday golf leagues play at four local courses, all within 15-20 minutes of Leisure World. These courses 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 714-313-3697 or Dave LaCascia at 801-674-5975.

—Dave LaCascia

The fourth fairway at Riverview Golf Course shows damage from water released from the upstream dam.