LW Men’s Golf League

Nine hardy golfers of the Leisure World Men’s Golf League, including guest Won Park, competed at the 6,000-yard par 71 Willowick Golf Course in Santa Ana on Sept. 5. The weather was warm and humid at the initial 7 a.m. tee time. The course was wet, and fairways and most tee boxes were in poor condition, but greens remained in good shape. The warm and steamy conditions plus damp/muddy fairways affected all drives and approach shots as well as putting lengths and roll of the golf ball.

With sub-par playing conditions, scores were above average with only one round under par and one round at par. There were two birdies by long hitter Chris Lankford. Gary Stivers was closest to the pin on the 140-yard par 3 fourth hole, and Sam Choi was closest to the pin on the 140-yard par 3 12th. Choi had fewest putts for the A flight, and Mike Jimenez had fewest in the B.

A flight winners (net score: gross minus handicap): Lankford, first place; Stivers, second; Kyle Van, third; Choi and Dave LaCascia, fourth.

B flight winners: Gene Vesely, first place; Randy Massaro, second; Jimenez and Bob Munn, third.

Twelve golfers, plus guests Won Park and Gene Rowe, played at the 5,800-yard par 70 River View Golf Course in Santa Ana on Sept. 8. The weather was hot, humid and very sunny for the entire round. The course was fairly dry, and fairways and greens were in their usual good form. Most tee boxes were in good shape, but a couple needed work.

With good weather and decent playing conditions, seven of the 14 golfers shot net at or below par. There were four birdies— two by LaCascia, and one each by Stivers and Clay Fisher. Dom Bautista was closest to the pin on the 140-yard par 3 second hole, and Rowe was closest on the 100-yard par 3 ninth hole. Sam Choi and Fisher had fewest putts in the A flight, and Bruno Santillo had the fewest for the B.

A special “greenie” contest was held on the 160-yard par 3 18th hole, where if a player hit the green and then parred the hole, they received a small cash reward. Both LaCascia and Seon Kim achieved this goal.

A flight winners: LaCascia—his gross score was his age, first place; Stivers and Choi, second; Fisher, third; Kim, fourth; Jae Choi and Chris Lankford, fifth; Norihiro, sixth.

B flight winners: Bruno Santillo, first place; Bill Zurn, second; Bautista, third; Sergio Borbon, 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. Those interested in playing can contact Gary Stivers at 714-313-3697 or Dave LaCascia at 801-674-5975.

—Dave LaCascia