LW Men’s Golf League
It was an extremely foggy, damp and cool morning that greeted seven players of the Leisure World Men’s Golf League at the par-62 David L. Baker Executive Golf course on Dec. 6. The fog prevented the golfers from seeing the entire fairway on the first 13 holes, after which it started to clear up.
Even with the poor playing conditions, scores were excellent, with every golfer at or under net par. The golfer with fewest putts for the round was Sam Choi. Significantly, there were nine birdies, four by Chris Lankford, two by Jim Goltra, and one each by Choi, Gary Stivers, and Clay Fischer. Lankford 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.
All scores below are net (gross score minus handicap).
A flight winners: Stivers and Fujio Norihiro, 4 under 58, first place; Goltra, 3 under 59, second; Lankford and Choi, 1 under 61, third; Fischer, even par 62, fourth.
B flight winners: Bob Munn, 7 under 55, first place; Ron Jackson, 1 under 61, second.
On Dec. 9, six players battled the Willowick Golf Course in Santa Ana. The weather was sunny but cool and quite damp from overnight watering. Willowick continues to upgrade the course with ongoing maintenance and repair.
Willowick is the oldest golf course in Orange County. With no water hazards and over 6,000 yards in length, Willowick is the longest course the league plays. The course also has two par-5s that are over 500 yards long, making the course challenging. Subsequently, only three of the six golfers shot net at or under par but there were some low scores. In addition, there were four birdies: three by Jim Goltra and one by Sam Choi. Gary Stivers had fewest putts and was closest to the pin on the 140-yard par-3 12th hole. Clay Fischer was closest on the 140-yard par-3 fourth hole.
All scores below are net (gross score minus handicap).
Winners: Goltra, 6 under 65, first place; Stivers, 3 under 68, second; Fujio Norihiro, even par 71, third; Fischer, fourth, followed by Tom Ross and Choi.
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 3s, and for the lowest number of putts in each flight. Holes-inone and eagles are generously rewarded. Those interested in playing can call Gary Stivers at 714-313-3697 or Dave LaCascia at 801-674-5975.
—Dave LaCascia
