Men’s Golf League
On Aug. 27, 14 men and one woman of the LW Golf League endured the heat and humidity at Huntington Beach’s Meadowlark Golf Course, a 5,600-yard, par-70, 18-hole course that has numerous elevation changes, as well as some serious water hazards and difficult sand traps. It’s well-maintained, with narrow fairways and several sloping or slanted greens that make approach shots very demanding. The course also offers several large practice areas.
Temperatures rose quickly that morning, and humidity was an issue. With the great conditions and little wind, the golfers generated just three at- or underpar rounds and four birdies.
All scores are net (gross minus handicap). A Flight handicap is 0-20, and B Flight over 20.
A Flight Winners: First place: Dave LaCascia, 1 under 69; second: Gary Stivers, even par 70; third: tie between Clay Fischer and Tim Looney, 1 over 71; fourth: tie between Sam Choi and recent retiree Jim Goltra, 3 over 73; fifth: tie between Bill McKusky and Fujio Norihiro. Jim Goltra had fewest putts and two birdies and was closest to the pin on the 150-yard, par-3 16th hole. LaCascia and Looney tied for closest on the 140-yard, par-3 seventh hole, and Looney and Fischer had a birdie each.
B Flight Winners: First place: Chris Lankford, 2 under 68; second: Tom Ross, 2 over 72; third: Bob Munn, 3 over 73, plus fewest putts; fourth: Gene Vesely; fifth: Bob Meripol; sixth: tie between Liz Meripol and Lowell Goltra.
At the David L. Baker Golf Course in Fountain Valley on Aug. 30, 13 men and one woman competed on the par-62, 4,000yard course. It’s an executive course, which means it’s shorter and takes less time to play.
It was an initially overcast, humid morning, with cool temps. The greens, tee boxes, and fairways were again in excellent shape. The course had been well-watered overnight, and with sun and high humidity, the fairways and greens stayed wet throughout the round. The wetness usually translates to receptive greens, and with the tees in the middle positions, the golfers were able to convert this into low scoring. Nine players were significantly under par, and there were seven birdies.
A Flight Winners: First place: tie between Stivers and Jim Goltra, a very nice 5 under 57; second: Ron Jackson, a terrific 4 under 62; third: tie between Norihiro, Fischer and LaCascia, a well-played 3 under 59; fourth: tie between Larry Hillhouse, Choi and McKusky. Stivers and Choi tied for fewest putts. Single birdies were carded by LaCascia, Jackson and McKusky, while Fischer had three. Closest to the pin on the 100-yard, par-3 third hole was Jackson, and Jim Goltra was closest on the 110-yard, par-3 15th hole.
B Flight Winners: First place: Munn, a marvelous 9 under 53, plus fewest putts; second: Vesely, a great 8 under 54; third: Chris Lankford, a sweet 7 under 55, plus a birdie; fourth: Lowell Goltra, 1 over 63; fifth: Dale Quinn.
Friends, ladies, spouses and family are all welcome to play and/or join. The league plays at four local courses, all within 15 minutes of Leisure World. The courses the group play are always quite full, so advance reservations with the league have become the norm, 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, birdies, closest to the pin on two par-3s, and the lowest number of putts in each flight. Holes-in-one and eagles (2 under par), although infrequent, are generously rewarded. If interested, contact Gary Stivers at (714) 313-3697 or LaCascia at (801) 674-5975.
—Dave LaCascia
