Wet greens don’t dampen play at Meadowlark

MEN'S GOLF LEAGUE

Nine golfers from the Leisure World men’s golf league played Oct. 20 at the 5,600-yard par-71 Meadowlark Golf Course in Huntington Beach. The weather was cool and very damp with some ground fog. This translated into very wet fairways and greens which persisted throughout. Putting on wet greens was an issue for the entire round and fairways, which are being prepped for aeration, were recently trimmed quite low but left lots of cut grass and some muddy debris. Greens are large and have always been in good shape, and the numerous water hazards challenge everyone.

With the average playing conditions, only four of the nine rounds were net under par with just three birdies—two by Dave LaCascia and one by Chris Lankford. LaCascia had fewest putts in the “A” flight and Bob Munn in the “B.” Steve Miller was closest to the pin on the 140-yard 17th hole, and Jim Goltra was closest on the 140yard 16th hole.

A flight winners (handicaps 0-19): tie between LaCascia and Lankford, 8 under 63, first place; Miller, 2 under 69, second; Gary Stivers, 1 over 72, third; Goltra, 2 over 73, fourth; Bill McKusky, fifth.

B flight winners (handicaps 20 and over): tie between Lowell Goltra and Munn, 4 under 67, first place; Gene Vesely, 1 under 70, second.

It was a dark and stormy morning on Oct. 23 at the par-62 David L. Baker Executive Golf Course in Fountain Valley. Twelve intrepid golfers plus one guest—Bruce Batler—came to play despite the dire predictions of rain, cold, and heavy clouds.

At the 7 a.m. tee time, temperatures were in the 50s, skies very overcast, and rain fell for the first five holes. The grounds were already soaking wet plus the recently aerated and sanded greens were very slow and difficult to read. The sun appeared late but did nothing to dry out the course.

Oddly, there were several excellent scores and only four of the 13 rounds over par. The poor conditions of the putting surfaces led to 20 three-putt greens. Despite putting difficulties the course still yielded three birdies—one each by Sam Choi, Chris Lankford, and Steve Miller.

A flight winners (handicaps 0-19): Lankford, 10 under 52, first place; Choi, 9 under 53, plus closest to the pin on 110-yard third hole, second; Jim Goltra, 5 under 57, plus low putts (only player without a 3-putt green), third; Gary Stivers, 2 under 60, fourth; Miller, even par 62, fifth; tie between Bill McKusky, Larry Hillhouse and Dave LaCascia, sixth.

B flight winners (handicaps 20 and over): Bob Munn, 14 under 48, plus fewest putts, first place; Tom Ross, 5 under 57, second; Bill Zurn, 1 under 61, third; Lowell Goltra, fourth. Guest player Batler was closest to the pin on the 130-yard 12th 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 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 can contact Gary Stivers at 714-313-3697 or Dave LaCascia at 801-674-5975. — Dave LaCascia