LW Men’s Golf League
The Leisure World Men’s Golf League played at the 5,600-yard par-71 Meadowlark Golf Course in Huntington Beach on June 28. The sun came out after about four holes, and it turned into a lovely morning with a just a bit more wind than desired. The warming sun dried up fairways and greens making the fairways roll more and greens receptive to shots but produced a much stronger wind later in the round. The course had been badly damaged by the winter rains and is just now rounding into shape. A few tees are still repositioned to allow for driving past some standing water and muddy spots on the back nine fairways.
With nice playing conditions scores were very good with five of the nine golfers at or under net par. Closest to the pin on the 130-yard seventh hole was Dave LaCascia, and due to wind and hole length, the par-3 150yard 16th barred anyone from landing on the green. Jim Goltra and Bob Munn had fewest putts. LaCascia and Sam Choi had the only birdies.
A flight winners: LaCascia and Gary Sivers, 6 under 65, first place; Choi and Goltra, even par 71, second; Clay Fischer and Fujio Norihiro, third.
B flight winners: Daniel Mahoney, 2 under 69, first place; tie between Munn and Gene Vesely, second.
Thirteen members played at the 4,000-yard par-62 David L. Baker Executive Golf Course on July 1. The term “executive” means the course is considerably shorter than a normal par-70 course, plus it has an equal number of par 3s and 4s, but no par 5s. It is designed to be easier and play quicker— around three hours versus four hours. But this executive course has many water hazards and ball-eating sand traps, and is no pushover.
The course is in very good condition and continues to be well maintained by the greenskeepers. With a sunny morning, tees set in the mid-range, and the groomed fairways, scores were very good with 11 of the 13 players net at or under par. There were six birdies, two each by Larry Hillhouse and Fujio Norihiro, and one each by Sam Choi and Gary Stivers. Norihiro was closest to the pin on hole No. 3 and also had fewest putts in the A flight. Choi was closest on hole No. 12 and Bill McKusky had fewest putts in the B flight.
A flight winners: Hillhouse, 12 under 50, first place; Norihiro, 10 under 52, second, Choi, 6 under 56, third; Dave LaCascia and Jim Goltra, 5 under 57, fourth; Stivers, 3 under 59, fifth; Clay Fischer, 2 under 60, sixth; Chris Lankford, seventh.
B flight winners: Daniel Mahoney, 10 under 52, first place; Gene Vesely and Tom Ross, 9 under 53, second; Bob Munn, 3 under 59, third; McKusky, 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 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. Holesin- one and eagles (2 under par) are generously rewarded. Those interested in playing can contact Gary Stivers at 714-313-3697 or Dave LaCascia at 801-674-5975.
—Dave LaCascia
