June 17 and 20 Golf League Results

On June 17, 15 golfers from the Leisure World Golf League challenged the 6,000-yard, par 71 Willowick Golf Course in Santa Ana. It was an overcast and cool morning but without the dampness and mist that has plagued league play for months. Mid-round, the sun appeared, and it became a beautiful morning to play.

Willowick is a long course, and uniquely has no water hazards, but with many cleverly placed sand traps and small tricky greens, the course challenges everyone. This week, only six of the 14 scores were at or under par and the course yielded six birdies. All scores are net (gross minus handicap). A Flight handicaps are 0-19, while B Flight handicaps are 20 and over.

A Flight: First place: Dave LaCascia, a terrific 5 under 66, plus a birdie and fewest putts; second: Bill McKusky, a wellplayed 3 under 68, plus a birdie; third: tie between Clay Fischer and Jim Goltra, and good 2 under 69; fourth: Sam Choi, a nice 1 under 70, plus a birdie; fifth: tie between Larry Hillhouse, with a birdie and closest to the pin on the par 3 twelfth hole, Tim Looney, with two birdies, Gary Stivers and Mark Mallet.

B Flight: First place: Gene Vesely, a well-played 8 under 63, plus fewest putts; second: Lowell Goltra; third: William Hillhouse; fourth: tie between Fujio Norihiro and Bob Munn; fifth: Digna Vesely. June 20 saw 14 golfers from the Leisure World Golf League play at the 5,800-yard par 70 Riverview Golf Course in Santa Ana. The weather was delightful with sunny and warm conditions. As the morning progressed, the temps got hotter until they were in the mid 80s by rounds end. The course has been well maintained, and the greens are in excellent condition.

The Santa Ana River runs through the middle of the course, which has numerous water hazards, large sand traps, narrow fairways and significant elevation changes from fairways to greens. This makes it a challenge to everyone. With the great conditions, it was not unexpected that the course conceded 10 of the 14 rounds at or under par, and six birdies.

A Flight: First place: tie between Glenn Barry and Bill McKusky, a nice 4 under 66; second: Gary Stivers, a hardfought 2 under 68; third: Chris Lankford, a sweet 1 under 69; fourth: Dave LaCascia, at even par 70; fifth: tie between Sam Choi and Clay Fischer. Closest to the pin on the par 3 second hole was Lankford. Barry had three birdies, Lankford had two, and Fischer had one. Choi had fewest putts.

B Flight: First place: Bob Munn, a really good 5 over 65; second: Fujio Norihiro, a well-played 4 under 66; third: Ron Jackson, a sweet 3 under 67; fourth: Gene Vesely, a fine 2 under 68, plus fewest putts; fifth: three-way tie between Bill Zurn, Lowell Goltra and Digna Vesely. Zurn was closest to the pin on 100-yard par 3 ninth hole.

The Monday and Friday Golf Leagues play at four local courses, all within 15–20 minutes of Leisure World. The courses the group plays are often full, so advance reservations are available via a sign-up sheet at each round. There is a prize pool for each round that players are not obligated to enter. Rewards are given for low net and fewest putts in each flight, birdies and closest to the pin on two par-3 holes. Holes-in-one and eagles (2 under par), although infrequent, are generously rewarded.

Those who are interested in joining the league can contact Gary Stivers at (714) 313-3697 or Dave LaCascia at (801) 674-- 5975.

–Dave LaCascia