Men’s Golf League returns after weeks of inclement weather

Monday Golf at Willowick Golf Course

After a number of weeks not playing due to inclement weather and poor golf course conditions, eight golfers from the Leisure World Men’s Golf League resumed play on Jan. 9 at the 6,000-yard, par 71 Willowick Golf Course in Huntington Beach. At the 7 a.m. tee time, it was in the low 40s with soaking wet fairways and a damp morning.

The skies were overcast, with no sun during the round and a slight breeze. The weather and wetness were a major factor in the above average scores.

This course has had great greens, but fairways and tee boxes are still undergoing much needed maintenance.

The continuing early morning dampness has produced many challenges for the golfers everywhere over the last few months. The weather and course conditions only allowed two of the nine golfers to shoot net under par, plus there were no closest to the pin shooters this week. Bill McKusky had fewest putts, and there were no birdies.

Winners: First place: Bob Munn, an excellent 2 under 69; second: Sam Choi, a well-played 1 over 70; third: Tom Ross, a nice 1 over 73; fourth: McKusky; fifth: tie between Gary Stivers, Gene Vesely, and Fujio Norihiro.

Friday Golf at Meadowlark Golf Course

On Jan. 13, seven golfers challenged the 5,600-yard, par 70 Meadowlark Golf Course in Huntington Beach. Temperatures were in the low 40s with extremely wet fairways and greens, plus “Cart Path Only” rules for the electric carts. The skies were clear, and there was no wind.

Meadowlark has been in terrific shape for a long time and all the rain has only helped green up the course.

The cold weather and the prior heavy rains have, unfortunately, left the fairways and greens water soaked.

This contributed to the above average scores and there were no birdies. Larry Hillhouse and Sam Choi were “in the vicinity” of the pins on the par 3 seventh and 16th holes respectively. Gary Stivers had fewest putts for the round.

Winners: First place: Bill McKusky, a nice even par 70; second: Stivers, a hard-earned 2 over 72; third: Hillhouse; fourth: Choi, fifth: tie between Clay Fischer, Fujio Norihiro and Chris Lankford.

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 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 should contact Gary Stivers at 714313-3697 or Dave LaCascia at 801-674-5975.

—Dave LaCascia