Men’s Golf League

The Leisure World Men’s Golf League played Willowick Golf Course on Jan. 26. Eleven league players and three guests braved the brisk 53-degree morning. It took several hours before the sun made a dent in the cool weather, but when it did temps rose quickly. Greens are in good condition, but tees and fairways still need significant work. Willowick has no water hazards but makes up for it with numerous sand traps and long holes.

With average playing conditions, the golfers had only four of the 11 scores at net or below par, with just one birdie by Clay Fischer. Gary Stivers had fewest putts in the A flight, and Bill McKusky in the B.

A flight winners( handicaps 0-19): Stivers, 4 under 67, first place; Fischer, 1 under 70, second; Jim Goltra, even par 71, third; tie between Dave LaCascia, Fujio Norihiro, and Chris Lankford, fourth.

B flight winners (handicaps 20 and over): McKusky, 1 under 70, first place; Lowell Goltra, second; Bob Munn, third; Digna Vesely, fourth; Gene Vesely, fifth.

The league played Riverview Golf Course on Jan. 29. Thirteen golfers challenged the brisk 49-degree morning and teed off into sunny and blue skies. It was halfway through the round before the temps started to rise, even with full sun. Players then shed layers and by round’s end it was in the upper 70s and a delightful morning.

Riverview is a 5,800-yard par-71 course that has dramatic elevation changes and many water hazards. The entire course has been kept in great shape even though the Santa Ana River, which runs down the middle of the course, occasionally rages through and does damage. With good playing conditions, the golfers produced 10 scores at net or below par, with birdies by Clay Fischer, Dave LaCascia, Gary Stivers, Steve Miller and Chris Lankford. Fujio Norihiro had fewest putts in the A flight, and Lowell Goltra and Steve Miller tied for fewest in the B. Closest to the pin on the long, downhill 150-yard par-3 second hole was Daniel Mahoney, and Lankford was closest on the 100-yard, all over water, par-3 ninth hole.

A flight winners (handicaps 0-19): Fischer, 7 under 64, first place; LaCascia, 6 under 65, second; Stivers, 3 under 68, third; Norihiro, 2 under 69, fourth; tie between Sam Choi and Jim Goltra, even par, fifth; Lankford, sixth.

B flight winners (handicaps 20 and over): Lowell Goltra, 5 under 65, first place; tie between Miller and Bill Zurn, 1 under 70 second; Bob Munn, even par 71, third; tie between Bill McKusky and Mahoney, fourth.

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 714313-3697 or Dave LaCascia at 801-674-5975.

—Dave LaCascia