Jim Goltra shoots par on reconfi gured course

LW MEN'S GOLF LEAGUE

Six intrepid golfers from the Leisure World Men’s Golf League challenged the River View Golf Course in Santa Ana on Feb. 14.

Significant overnight rains had soaked the fairways and greens and dramatically widened the Santa Ana River, which flows down the middle of the course. This makes the west side and rear of this course —a total of 12 holes—unreachable either by foot or cart. When this amount of rain causes high water levels, the club rearranges several of the holes, turning two holes into two par 3s, and two par 4s, thereby creating nine playable holes that most golfers play twice for an 18-hole round. Par becomes 60 instead of 71, and this week Jim Goltra shot that illusive—for seniors—par score on this course.

Winners: Gary Stivers, 9 under par, first place; Goltra, 8 under 52, second; Clay Fischer, 6 under, third; Fujio Norihiro, 5 under 55, fourth; Sam Choi and Bob Munn, 4 under, fifth. Closest to the pin on the par-3 second hole was Norihiro and on the par-3 ninth hole was Choi. Stivers had fewest putts and there were six birdies— three by Fischer, two by Goltra, and one by Choi.

The Monday and Friday golf leagues play at four local courses, all within 15-20 minutes of Leisure World. These courses 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) are generously rewarded. Those interested in playing can contact Gary Stivers at 714-313-3697 or Dave LaCascia at 801-674-5975.

—Dave LaCascia