Golf League Results

A bright but cool morning welcomed eight men on March 1 at the Riverview Golf Club in Santa Ana. As has been the usual of late, after a few holes, the weather warmed up, jackets were discarded, and it was an enjoyable day. The course is a challenging par-70, 5,800 yards, with the Santa Ana River running down the middle and some elevated greens.

Both the Monday and Friday Leagues continue see a large group of players participating, and the courses the group plays are always quite full, with everyone wearing masks around the clubhouse and snack bar, plus observing socialdistancing rules and not touching one another’s equipment.

All scores are net (actual score minus handicap). A Flight handicaps range from 0-20; B flight is higher than 20.

A Flight Winners: First place: Gary Stivers, with a sensational 8 under 62, plus fewest putts and a birdie; second: Fujio Norihiro, 2 under 68; third: Dave LaCascia, 3 over 73; fourth: Jim Goltra; fifth: tie between Sam Choi and Larry Hillhouse; sixth, Bill McKusky.

B Flight Winners: First place: tie between Liz Meripol and Lowell Goltra, 1 over 71; second: Tom Ross, 2 over 72; third: Gene Vesely, 4 over 74, plus fewest putts and a birdie. Meripol was closest to the pin on the 100-yard, par-3 ninth hole, and Ross was closest on the 140-yard, par-3 second hole.

On March 5, a lovely, sunny morning greeted 11 men—including new player Mike Looney—at the David L. Baker Golf Course in Fountain Valley. Baker is a par-62, 4,000-yard executive course, with lots of water hazards and strategically placed bunkers. With the blue tees at their most rearward position, the course plays at its most difficult. But the golfers found a way to shoot some great scores, plus they registered five birdies.

A Flight Winners: First place: tie between Norihiro and Stivers, 7 under 55; second: LaCascia, 1 over 63; third: tie between Hillhouse and Ron Jackson, 3 over 65; fourth: McKusky; fifth: Choi; sixth: Jim Goltra.

Also of note:

• Stivers was closest to the pin on the 110-yard, par-3 15th hole and carded 2 birdies.

• Jim Goltra was closest to the pin on the 110-yard, par-3 third hole and had a birdie.

• Norihiro had fewest putts and a birdie.

B Flight Winners: First place: Lowell Goltra, 6 under 56, plus fewest putts; second: Vesely, 5 under 57, plus a birdie; third: Marv Ballard, 3 over 65.

Both the Monday and Friday Golf Leagues play at four local courses, all within 15 minutes of Leisure World, starting between 7-7:30 a.m., except holidays. The courses are David L. Baker in Fountain Valley, Meadowlark in Huntington Beach, Riverview in Santa Ana, and Willowick in Garden Grove. In general, masks are required at the pro shops, but optional while waiting to tee off. No masks are required on the put- ting greens, driving range or the course itself. Golf carts are single person only unless riders are from the same household.

LW Men’s Club membership is not required, and friends, ladies, spouses and family are all welcome to play and/or join. There is a prize pool for each round that players are not obligated to enter. Prizes are awarded for low gross in each flight, birdies, closest to the pin on two par-3s, and lowest number of putts in each flight. Holes-in-One and eagles, although infrequent, are generously rewarded. If interested, contact McKusky (562) 430-8618 or LaCascia (801) 674-5975.

—Dave LaCascia