LW Men’s Golf League

It was a clear morning that greeted eight men of the Leisure World Men’s Golf League at the Willowick Golf Course in Santa Ana on Jan. 24. Willowick is a very long course with lengthy par 3s and two holes well over 500 yards. Even with no water hazards, the course challenges each player.

Even with decent playing conditions none of the eight golfers shot net at or under par. However, there were two birdies: one each by Sam Choi and Jim Goltra. Goltra, Fujio Norihiro, and Gary Stivers tied for fewest putts in the A flight. Duke Park had fewest in the B. Closest to the pin on the 140-yard par 3 fourth hole was Park, and Choi was closest on the 140-yard par 3 12th hole.

All scores below are net (gross score minus handicap).

A flight winners: Goltra, Choi, and Clay Fischer, first place; Stivers and Chris Lankford, second; Norihiro, third.

B flight winners: Park, first place; Bob Munn, second.

It was a cool, damp but clear morning that greeted 14 men at the River View Golf Course on Jan. 27. The course was in great shape although it was a bit wet due to the weekend’s rainstorm. River View parallels the Santa Ana River and crosses it several times. With long par 3s and numerous elevation changes, the course challenges all the players every time. With recent rains the river was flowing fast but had not damaged the course to any degree.

Even with good playing conditions only seven of the 14 golfers shot net at or under par. In addition, there were five birdies: three by Jim Goltra and one each for Clay Fischer and Chris Lankford. Goltra had fewest putts in the A flight. Andrew Tierney had fewest in the B. Closest to the pin on the 140-yard par 3 second hole was Fischer, and Daniel Mahoney was closest on the 100-yard par 3 ninth hole—all over water.

All scores below are net (gross score minus handicap).

A flight winners: Lankford, 5 under 66, first place; Goltra, 3 under 68, second; Norihiro, Fischer and Larry Hillhouse, even par 71, third; Gary Stivers, fourth; Dave LaCascia, fifth.

B flight winners: Tierney, 7 under 64, first place; Mahoney, 1 under 70, second; Bill Zurn and Duke Park, third; Bob Munn, fourth.

The Monday and Friday golf leagues play at four local courses, all within 15-20 minutes of Leisure World. 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. 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