A HISTORY OF GOLF

IN

LEISURE WORLD

1964- 2000

by

Oliver P. (Bud) Kolstoe

2000- 2010

by

Verne Smutz

With Contributions by

Martha Hellmann and Donald Fridlund

Although some of the material included is taken from the 1991 History of Golf in Leisure World, most of this effort is devoted to updating golf in the 1990s. In this regard, the writers acknowledge the invaluable assistance of Mary Jan Vested, Virginia McGill, Mac Rosen, A.J. Bernhardt, Charles Hellmann and Russ Chase, the loan of pictures and access to records of the Historical Society Archivists, especially Fran Lindberg, Myra Nebens of the Leisure World News, Debbie Lamb and her staff of the Leisure World Recreation Department.

They also thank Jerrry Gluck, Vie Harris and Kal Tobe for their creation of the Hole-In-One and Shoot-Your-Age charts, along with Glenn Siler and Dick Blum for their records of people and events through pictures.

Gratitude is due all the writers of Putter Patter, Hooks and Slices and other scribes who have identified incidents and people involved in golf down through the years, as well as the countless women and men golfers who have been so willing to share their recollections and experiences.

LEISURE WORLD GOLF at the MILLENNIUM

THE COURSES

Golf has been described as "the art of putting an elusive ball in an obscure hole with implements ill-adapted to the task." That definition has been attributed' to many different people, but most often to Woodrow Wilson, former president of the United States. Whatever its origin, it has the nearly unanimous endorsement of the several hundred golfers who live in Leisure World, Laguna Woods where golf is a passion, not a mere pastime.

During the decade of the 1990s, more than 100,000 rounds of golf were played annually on the Laguna Hills Golf Course. That average of 2,000 rounds per week is about a hundred times more than the 23 rounds played during the first week after the opening of the course on September 11, 1964.

The Origins

It's not the same course now. It's not even the same name. In 1964 it was Laguna Hills Golf Course, the name retained until Leisure World, Laguna Hills became the city of Laguna Woods in 1999. Then it was renamed the Laguna Woods Golf Course to conform with the name of the city.

1963 Ross Cortese, through the Rossmoor Corporation, approached the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company for nearly $15,000,000 in risk capital. He also applied to the Federal Housing Authority for $70,000,000 in mortgage money to finance a senior citizen's community. The proposal stressed active retirement, rather than the traditional "rocking chair" approach.

The new concept mandated facilities on which to be active and included swimming, tennis, equestrian, hobby shops, and the promise of free golf six days a week.

It has been believed that Bill Bryant, owner of the California Country Club, was involved in the design of the new course. However, the architects of record with the Southern California Golf Association are the father and son team of Harry and David Rainville from Tustin, California. On-site supervision was the responsibility of Rossmoor Corporation Executive Vice President, Murray Ward. The actual work was done by crews of Mort Herman, landscape specialist for the Rossmoor Corporation, which owned and managed the facilities for the first eight years of their existence.

A view of the first hole on course one

According to David Rainville, the original plans had the first tee box located just west of Clubhouse Two, on the Moulton Street side, the site of the present 10th tee box. The first nine holes were to finish where the present sixth green is located. The 18th green would be where it is currently placed. David indicated that Bill Bryant served as a consultant for the location of cart paths.

A lift, similar to the one at Industry Hills, would transport the golfers and carts from the lower levels to Clubhouse Two. The tee box for the 10th hole would be where the first tee box is presently located.

The first phase of housing and the golf course were built simultaneously. Clubhouse Two which was intended to house the Pro Shop and the Starter's Window, also came under construction, up the hill west of the present first tee box. When the first residents moved in, the course was accessible a mile down a dirt path from Gate One on El Toro Road. In the absence of a Pro Shop, the starter was housed in a tent until it was blown away in a windstorm and replaced by a small trailer. Starting was presided over by Ray Burton, who, in order to protect the golf course from abuse, appointed a captain of each foursome. That person was held accountable for racking traps, fixing divots, ball marks, and the sportsman-like conduct of the group.

The First Tournament

The opening event of the golf course on September 11, 1964, was a medal tournament involving Leisure Worlders and approximately thirty teenagers from neighboring golf clubs. Seventeen-year old Gregg Pitzer from Riviera Country Club shot a 65 on the par 71 layout. His incredible score on a new course with immature fairways and greens, remained the course record until Leisure Worlder Valley

Voyles, a sandy-haired, husky retired Air Force Colonel, shot his age, 64, on November 12, 1986, over 22 years later-a record that still stands.

The Growth of Golf

Within a year after the opening of the course, the number of golfers wanting to play seriously strained its capacity. Golden Rain passed a rule on November 10, 1966 limiting each golfer to no more than four rounds per week. The rule was to take effect on January 1, 1967.

The response to the ruling was so loud and negative, Cortese agreed to expand the facilities. Edward Olsen, Executive Vice President of the Leisure World

Laguna Hills Golf Courses as it appears in 1965

Foundation announced at the January 27th, 1967, meeting of the Men's Club plans for an 18-hole championship course, and a nine-hole executive three par course near the water tower West of Sosiega. Hearing that, Golden Rain promptly rescinded the four-rounds-per-week rule.

However, the championship course never materialized. Instead, the addition of nine regulation length holes adjacent to the original course was begun in 1969. The addition was designed by the Rainvitles assisted by Jerry Wolfinden, Director of Maintenance for Leisure World and built by in-house labor supervised by John Coler, Foreman of the golf course workers. At its completion, in order to assure a harmonious sequence, some of the original holes were incorporated into the new nine, and the order of play was reversed. The first and 10 tees were interchanged, and that order is retained today.

During 1984-1988 the greens were rebuilt, and in 1996 and 1997 they were rebuilt again because of drainage problems. In 1990 the tee boxes were relocated, rebuilt,

and/or lengthened in order to develop a course that would meet the minimum length requirements of over 6,000 yards as stipulated by Golf Digest

Magazine. This was necessary to qualify for official status and be recognized by Golf Digest so the magazine could record holes-in-one and other unusual occurrences on the Laguna Hills Course.

The lengthening was augmented by a landslide on the fifth hole in 1992, where a straight drop of about ten feet developed following torrential rains. That whittled the tee box to roughly half of its original size. When the tee box was rebuilt, it lengthened the hole by approximately 25 yards, making it the most formidable of all the par threes and adding to the overall length of the course.

The Leisure Course

Although a large lake had been planned to be built between del Lago Streets, East and West, the lake was reduced to pond size and incorporated into a three-par executive course. Designed by Theodore (Ted) Robinson, golf course architect from Newport Beach, it was named the Leisure Course at its opening on April 16, 1979.

Buying The Courses

From the opening of the course in 1964, Golden Rain paid Rossmoor Corporation $15 - $16,000 each month as Leisure World Golf Courses Lake

a user fee for the golf facilities. In 1972 Tracy Strevey, former vice president of the University of Southern California, approached the Rossmoor Corporation with a proposal to buy the golf facilities for GRF. Under. the terms of the Community Facilities Agreement, the price agreed on was $2,969,581. The money came from a cash down payment and a loan of $1,712,809 from United California Bank.

The loan was secured by a pledge of $700 from the sale of each new manor. But the really unusual guarantee from the Rossmoor Corporation was that "if for any reason sales should stop before the final payment to Rossmoor Corporation then the community will not be required to pay the balance due Rossmoor" was virtually unheard of in business circles. None-the-Iess, by September 1976, the final payment was made. It had taken less than four years to payoff the debt of nearly one and three-quarter million dollars.

When the Leisure Course was built, another Community Facilities Agreement was worked out. This time GRF bought the course for $700,922 ($395,655 for the land and $305,867 for improvements).

Green Fees

When the first residents moved in, free golf, was a promise kept, but within two years after the course opened, golfers began paying green fees. The request for fees came from the golfers themselves.

Early residents reported that when golf was free, people who had never before held a golf Club in their hands suddenly began/spending every spare minute on the course. 1) he novices hacked, slashed, and whiffed their way around causing ulcerous frustrations among experienced golfers.

In addition, some residents extended the concept of shared ownership to include week-end picnics on the courses where the free sideshow provided by inept golfers entertained the grandchildren

Thoroughly frustrated, dedicated golfers proposed a $1 fee for the use of the course. Its initiation had the desired First Starter Ray Burton 1965 effect. The duffers quit, and the picnics ceased.

A study of the costs of the golf facilities was undertaken by a committee in October of 1976. In the next year it focused on the cost of improving and maintaining the facilities. It included a proposal to double the size of the starter building and greens fees were raised again. The fees were set at $2.50 for 18 holes and $1.50 for nine. Guest fees went to $7 for 18, and $4 for 9.

As the study committee continued its work, the concept of shared costs for maintenance of all facilities in Leisure World versus the initiation of a "users fee" engendered intense partisanship. Letters to the editor in the Leisure World News were frequent and strongly worded. In the meantime the greens fees continued to rise, reaching $3.50 for 18 holes on November 1, 1984.

First Starter Ray Burton 1965

A compromise of sorts was proposed by John Luhring, chairman of the golf study committee, with the designation of some facilities as "high cost centers." These were defined as facilities that have gross annual operating and maintaining costs in excess of .5% of the Golden Rain and Mutual operating budgets. The committee proposed that the maintenance charges be calculated so 35% is covered by maintenance, and facilities users pay the other 65%. It was to be the governing principle for budgeting purposes.

From that policy golf fees could be arrived at by the simple process of dividing the gross income from golf operations by the total expenses. If the ratio turns out to be 65%, the fees are judged to be adequate. If not the fees can be adjusted upward or downward to achieve the proper balance. Adjustments are only made in increments of 25 cents per round of golf.

Even though the policy for governing golf fees was agreed to by GRF in 1985, it has never been officially adopted. GRF has maintained a position that fee setting is the responsibility of that governing body and must be flexible. However, despite the fact that the 35-65 ratio isn't official, GRF has adhered to the policy in practice. Technically it doesn't exist, but practically, it works.

The eminent fairness of the policy appealed to golfers and manor owners alike. However, when in September of 1990 prices of items in the snack shop were suddenly raised by as little as 11 % to as much as 80%, a huge cry went up from the golfers questioning the justification for the increases. Subsequently, the golf advisory

committee requested a policy to govern the calculation of prices for items sold 'through the snack bar. A policy of a sales I price 'of 100% of the cost was set, but the) most significant aspect of the. deliberations was the agreement that the snack bar should be operated as a service to the patrons, and be managed at a "break even" level. That policy exists today.

Green fees, however, have continued to climb, but not necessarily because of GRF. Golfers, themselves, have supported the rise because of their concerns for the quality of the golf course.

In the winter of 1992, when the tee box for the fifth hole had to be rebuilt, the golf advisory committee considered other improvements such as concrete cart paths, improved sand traps, lengthening tee boxes on other holes, improved drainage on certain holes, and the rebuilding of some greens.

Because the course maintenance staff has the lowest ratio of workers to number of holes of any course in the area, it was apparent that the needed work outdistanced the number of workers available. In 1997 the golf advisory committee suggested an increase of 50 cents per round to pay for additional workers. A straw vote at the Men's Club meeting rejected the increase. But another straw vote a few minutes later indicated almost unanimous approval for an increase of one dollar. Apparently the men didn't mind paying an extra dollar, but objected to the bother of making change for the fifty cent increase. Despite the vote, greens fees were raised fifty cents in mid-year, and further increased by another fifty cents in January of 1998.

The present cost of $6 for 18 holes and $3.50 for nine, reflects those increases. Meanwhile, the guest fees were increased to $25 for 18 holes, and $17 for nine. Trail fees for private carts increased to $40 per year with an additional $8 charge to owners of private cars powered by batteries. The latter fee pays for the cost of running the battery charger in carports.

The recreation department has budgeted $100,000 annually to build concrete cart paths. The project, begun in 1998, will continue until all the cart paths are made of concrete. Unfortunately, each year the course is torn up around the areas that are being built. While this doesn't add to the direct costs, it does siphon off workers from other areas of maintenance and is a major distraction to the golfers. That may be considered a small price to pay for the improvement of the paths and the subsequent saving from not having to repair and resurface the macadam paths.

The Irrigation System

The most important recommendation from the Golf Advisory Committee was a new watering system. Over the years, so much repair work had been done that records of the size, type, and location of the old iron and plastic pipes were so confused as to

be useless. Since repairing and replacement cost were nearly $100,000 a year.. GRF decided that prudence dictated replacement.

The Rossmoor Corporation contracted in 1962 with the EI Toro Water District for water from the Colorado River by way of Lake Mathews reservoir. Water treatment came through Rossmoor Sanitation, Inc. from its own treatment plant that collected, purified, and returned waste water as non-potable irrigation water for the golf course.

The major problem with the arrangement was that a new pumping station would be built and paid for on land owned by Leisure World, but operated and maintained by the Water District. The facility would be amortized over a 20-year period and be replaced at the end of that period using funds accumulated. In turn the water district guaranteed Leisure World an adequate water supply.

Such an arrangement is common in many municipalities, but for four years, the objection td paying for something they did not own kept GRF from reaching accord with the Water District on shared responsibilities.

Just as an agreement was reached, a new Orange County Air Quality Control Board exercised its jurisdiction by insisting on reviewing the plans of the water treatment plant with a stipulation that even if the plans were approved and the plant built, the Air Quality Board reserved the right of approval for its operation.

Despite this threat, GRF voted on Friday, January 19, 1990, to go ahead with the irrigation system. Designed by Roger Gordon, and projected to cost $950,000, the actual construction was contracted with the Jack Christian Company. It was to be completed in 130 working days beginning in March 1990. At the same time a new pumping station was authorized to be completed in 180 working days at a cost of $1,352,000. Ironically, when the project was proposed in 1985, the estimated cost was $750,000. The delay of nearly five years added almost $1,500,000 to the cost.

On January 16, 1991, a symbolic ribbon cutting ceremony marking the completion took place in Clubhouse Two. The irrigation system employs approximately 1900 sprinkler heads controlled by a computer that directs 35 satellite control boxes to open or close about 800 gate valves to assure a total of 45.72 inches of water is supplied to the course each year.

Simple arithmetic indicates that a change in either golf facilities income or expenses changes the 35/65 ratio. That becomes a problem only when some unusual event occurs.

At the time the automatic watering system bid was received, the estimated cost of $1,500,000 was projected to be amortized over a period of 25 years at the rate of 3 % per year. When the capital depreciation costs were added in to the golf course

expenses, this changed the 35/65 ratio to reflect a needed increase of user fees to $4.75 per round of golf

The reaction from golfers was immediate and furious. The injustice of counting capital depreciation as an operating expense, not a capital improvement cost, was presented as an accounting irregularity to GRF by Frank Duelks, a former Golden Rain member.

However, the treasurer of GRF, Jerry Werner, convinced the board that keeping the depreciation cost as a facilities expense, would guarantee that in the year 2010 a reserve fund would exist that could be used to replace the system. One of the telling arguments was related to the amortization of the old system. It was found that even though the depreciation had been calculated each year. No monies were visible. The process had been a paper transaction-an accounting procedure that balanced the books, but produced no funds for replacement.

Protests continued to be registered by golfers who felt they were carrying more than their fair share of the golf facilities costs, but the practice continues.

Handicaps

One wonderful aspect of golf is that players can compete against each other fairly, regardless of differences in age, sex, ability, weather, season, or the type or location of the course on which they play. What makes that possible is the handicap, that ubiquitous number available to every golfer that synthesizes a person's level of skill.

Dean Knuth, long time chairman of the United States Golf Association handicap committee, credits the Scots with adapting the systems from horse racing and applying it to golfing betting. It seems that the first reference to that use was found in the diary of a medical student at the University of Edinburgh dated January 21, 1687. Apparently each golf club. established its own "Bet Book" wherein odds 'Were assigned to the member by the "adjuster of the odds," the forerunner of the present handicap chairman.

Strokes were assigned on the basis of third-one (one shot every three holes), half-one (a shot on alternate holes), one more (a stroke a hole), and two more (two strokes a hole).

The concept of par was apparently introduced around 1870 and was borrowed from parity in stock prices suggesting a true value. Two professional golfers agreed that a perfect score on the twelve-hole course at Prestwick was 49. This represented the number of strokes needed to reach a green plus an approach putt and a hole-out putt. The idea caught on and by 1898 other clubs established par by a consensus of the driving power of a first class player plus the approach putt and hole-out putt.

Thus length became the determining factor in establishing par on which the handicap is based.

Rules for handicapping varied from club to club until 1898 when the Royal Golf Club at Wimbledon pioneered the system of averaging a member's three best rounds over a two year period (later changed to one year period) to establish that player's handicap.

Although this became standard practice, it did not take into account the difficulty of the courses relative to the difficulty of other courses. It was apparent that a uniform system for rating courses needed to be found. Attempts to find such a system went nowhere until a Miss Issette Pearson of the Ladies Golf Union in England was able to do what the men could not, assign course ratings to the member clubs of the Ladies Golf Union. By the early 1900's a system of rating courses was established in Great Britain.

However, the British system of assigning handicaps based on the three best rounds was not adopted in the United States until the United States Golf Association accepted it as standard practice on October 11,1911. At the same time they accepted a standard par. It however, was based on what the expected score the U.S. Amateur Champion Jerome Travers would be on any given hole. Each club thus established its own par on each hole.

Calling this system "useless" and "a farce" Leighton Calkins of the Plainfield Country Club of New Jersey and a member of the USGA Board, campaigned for a uniform system of course rating. By 1925 the USGA recognized the rating of courses by regional groups. The authority for the rating was the Council of National Golf Unions (CONGU) and was recognized by the USGA. Regional organizations like the Southern California Golf Association (SCGA) set the ratings. Selected golfers played the courses and rated them according to length and ten other variables of difficulty, such as hazards, water holes, barancas, and elevation. In that way, course rating took into account both length and obstacles. The system was in effect when the Laguna Hills Course opened in 1964.

With the addition of the new nine holes and the reconfiguration of the original 18 holes in the early 1970s, the Laguna Hills course could be rated as to both length and difficulty by SCGA. Establishing handicaps by ordering the holes according to degree of difficulty, was a local matter. This was further complicated by the matter of having 27 holes, but playing only 18 for a round. The configuration of which nines were played would alter the order of difficulty because the course might be played 1 & 2, 1 & 3, or 2 & 3. Furthermore, the relative difficulty . of each hole was found to be different for the very good golfers than for less skilled. Nonetheless, handicaps were calculated based on the difficulty of each hole as determined by the scores of the golfers.

These factors were taken into account by the simple process of collecting score cards from a large number of golfers and determining the average scores for each hole for the, players of differing abilities. Thus' the order of difficulty was established for each of the nine holes independently, but based on the experience of all golfers playing the hole.

The handicap of a person was determined by averaging the lowest ten scores of the last 20 rounds played. This was done by sending the scorecard records to the SCGA at the end of each month. The process originally was managed by hand, but beginning in November of 1992 it was handled by computers located in each home club. Results were sent to SCGA and processed by their mainframe computer set-up at the end of each month.

The intention of the SCGA was to assure that strokes would be allocated to less skilled players based on the difference between the average score of the better players and the less skilled ones. That did not mean that strokes would be assigned on the hardest holes, only on the holes that showed the greatest difference between the scores of the good and poor players. It demonstrated the principle of "help the poor," even though it was never stated that way.

In 1993 a committee in Leisure World gathered score cards over a three month period and analyzed the average score of golfers from the first flight vs. those from the fifth flight. Holes that showed the greatest difference between the good players and the less skilled determined the order in which strokes would be assigned, and new score cards reflecting those differences were prepared.

Perhaps because the new system of assigning strokes based on the greatest differential between the scores of the two groups was a departure from what had been the practice of assigning strokes on the hardest holes, protests from the members were loud and prolonged, so much so that a new committee was formed in 1995.

This committee gathered all the scorecards for all flights for a period of six months. They found the average score for each hole and determined which hole was the most difficult for all the golfers. Then they determined the order of difficulty for all the holes on each nine hole course and assigned handicaps status on that basis. The reasoning behind the system was that since there are no scratch players in Leisure World, there is no base from which to determine differences between those players and the less skilled ones. Furthermore, the A players and the E players seldom compete against each other in tournaments. Therefore, the handicaps should reflect the difficulty of a hole for all the players who are a unique group because they are all senior citizens.

The revision has proved to be more palatable to the members. In any case, it is the system used at this time and complaints about fairness have virtually disappeared.

Slope Ratings

In 1981 Leisure Worlder C. D. Tweedy, former president of the SCGA, pioneered in the venture of introducing the slope rating for courses in Southern California, first at the Virginia Country Club and later for all courses in the area.

This is a complex system using mathematically derived weights to assign values for difficulties of golf courses. Essentially, it is a way of comparing the length, obstacles, and playability of any given golf course with an average or typical course. The handicap earned by a golfer is the average of his best ten scores from the last 20 rounds played. This is no different from past practice. What is different, is that the handicap is expressed as an index to tenths of a point. Courses are rated according to rigid formulae and a course rating is developed as a table of difficulty. Any player can find his handicap on any course by looking up his index on the table. Indexes are published as a range for each handicap number. In Leisure World, for example, a range of indexes from 16.4 to 16.8 yields a handicap of 17 for a player on Courses 1 & 2

Since 1989 the USGA has conducted course rating calibration seminars in conjunction with the national meeting of the USGA. As of January 1, 1990, all the courses in the United States and in many foreign countries have used the slope system.

What this has meant in Leisure World is both good and embarrassing. Good, in that handicaps earned here are transportable to any other courses that use the slope system. Embarrassing, in that women golfers here have complained for a long time that their tee placements were not far enough from the men's tees to reflect the real difficulty of the courses for the ladies. When the courses were re-rated using the slope criteria, the rating from the men's tee was 100. Rating from the women's tees was 113. This proved the point the women were making, effectively stifling the retorts of the men to the complaints previously voiced by the women.

Subsequent re-ratings of the course in September of 1997, established a Slope on courses 1 & 2 of 115 for the men's white tees and 120 for women's red tee markers.

Golf Facilities Management

Nearly eight years elapsed between the opening of the golf course on September 1 , 1964, and the purchase of the golf facilities by GRF in 1972. During that time the Rossmoor Corporation owned and ran the golf facilities through the person of Gene Davis assisted by (at least for a portion of that time) course superintendent Jerry Wolfinden.

Golf professional Bob Baker managed the course beginning in 1976 assisted by Rick Talt. Ralph Evans, who had been the PGA Champion in 1955, Pro at Riverside for 5 years, at Candlewood in Whittier for 17 years, and at Irvine Coast for 6 years, was appointed head professional in 1977. Leo Dull became the course Superintendent in September of 1978, and Ann Moffit became the starter that same year. Bob Wilkinson, former pro at the Hermitage Country Club in Virginia and Victoria Country Club in Riverside, became Director of Golf Activities after Evans retired in 1991. Bob Anderson became the assistant Pro in January, 1992. Despite the fact that Bob had lost his right foot in an automobile accident at the age of 5, he became a formidable golfer who reportedly shot a 61 on courses 1 & 2, although that score was never verified.

Leo Dull continued as course Superintendent until he resigned July 4, 1991 following a misunderstanding over the disposition of turf supplies. He was succeeded by Mark Phillips on November 26, 1991. An agronomy major from Ohio State, Mark resigned in 1995 to become Superintendent at Monarch Beach. On March 9, 1995, Kurt Rahn, also an agronomy major but from Purdue came from Pelican Hills to replace Phillips.

Since 1972 the responsibility for golf operations has rested with the Director of Recreation. Skip Stone had that responsibility during the 1970's, followed by Richard May in the 1980's. However Debbie Lamb who was appointed on February 8, 1988 took a somewhat more active role in golf operations than had her predecessors.

Golf Course Tree Planting

Milt Johns became responsible for landscape operation on August 15,1986. When Leo Dull resigned, Debbie Lamb appointed Johns as temporary superintendent. He only served until November 26, 1991 when Mark Phillips was hired. Johns then went back to being in charge of landscaping for all of Leisure World. However Phillips was made directly responsible to Johns, rather than to' Debbie Lamb. This had the effect of including the beautification of the golf course as an integral part of the overall

landscaping plans. Flower beds were integrated into the cart path designs and trees were trimmed not just to protect them from wind damage, but also to be aesthetically pleasing

In 1991, the informal committee of golf club representatives that had been concerned with golf facilities matters for 10 years, was given more formal recognition by Debbie Lamb. It was structured to include representation from each of the four golf clubs, from the Pro Shop and maintenance staff, and the recreation department. Regular monthly meetings were scheduled and golfers, at last had a direct voice in both the operation and the maintenance of golf facilities even though they lacked formal authority.

Carol Cooley took over the starter duties after Ann Moffit left in 1989, and Bob Vogle who had been the Pro at Long Beach was appointed the Director of Golf Operations on June 3, 1993. Bob Wilkinson took on the duties of teaching pro, and Brad O'Connor came from Indian Wells in December of 1996 to join the staff as pro shop coordinator.

When Russ Disbro General Manager of Leisure World announced his retirement in the summer of 1999, Milt Johns was named as his replacement. By October, Kurt Rahn was appointed Director of Landscaping, and his former assistant, Sean Cincotta, became the course Superintendent. Since Cincotta is responsible to Rahn who is responsible to Debbie Lamb who is responsible to Milt Johns, it seems more than likely that the aesthetics of the golf facilities will not be in jeopardy for some time to come. Indeed, all the operations related to golf in Leisure World have, over the years, done nothing but improve for which golfers can be very grateful and justifiably proud.

Ever since Kikuyu grass was introduced at Riviera Country Club as a base grass for their Polo Field, it has proliferated in many spots in Southern California (apparently seeded by wind and birds) including the golf courses in Leisure World. It appears to be spreading rapidly, forcing out other grasses and is predicted to some day soon take over all of our courses.

In the eventuality that Kikuyu will become the dominant grass, in the late summer of 1999, a decision was made to try seeding one fairway.

However, at a subsequent meeting, the Golf Committee decided to seed fairways on all three courses with Kikuyu. Each nine hole course was closed in turn for a week during aerating and seeding. The treatments began in mid-April and lasted for three weeks. During that time the weekly tournaments were suspended. Predicting the outcome is dicey but if Kikuyu proves to' be a superior playing surface, the temporary inconvenience will have been a bargain.

THE CLUBS

When Lee Trevino introduced his 1988 TV special on the origins of golf in Scotland, he' suggested that it may have evolved from the practice of Dutch sailors, I whose ships were anchored off shore, hitting rocks with sticks as they walked J into St. Andrews to see who would pay f6r drinks at the local pubs. In time they hit the rocks into rabbit holes to break the contest into smaller segments.

The Scots, who have the reputation of being inclined to occasionally imbibe, adopted the game and established a loosely organized course by hitting rocks to specific holes as they walked toward the sea, and then hitting to the same or nearby holes on the way back.

Whether that story is completely true or not, golf has emerged as a social exercise with a traditional visit to a refreshment oasis when the game is over. In any case, the spirit of conviviality has guided activities in Leisure World - the clubs have tried to make golf fun.

The Laguna Woods Men's Golf Club

Usually referred to simply as the Men's Club, the official purpose as filed with the Recreation Department in March, 1965, states ... "to attract and enlist male golfers who are resident owners of homes in Leisure World, Laguna Hills, and to sponsor tournaments on a weekly and/or monthly basis ... to keep an accurate record of established handicaps".

The exclusion of renters, was later modified to allow membership to long term renters (12 months or more). This effectively has prevented people who rent on a seasonal basis (snow-birds and sun- birds) from belonging to the club. In addition, since United Mutual rules prohibit rentals of longer than 6 months, people who rent co-ops are ineligible.

At its first meeting, Jack Pas, former president of the Indian Canyon Golf Club of Spokane, Washington, was elected president. He set the tone for succeeding presidents by starting weekly and monthly tournaments held on Wednesdays. Inter- club tournaments were also started. The first was Leisure World, Seal Beach, later with Sun City and Rancho San Joaquin.

One of the unique features of golf in Leisure World is that tournament management for all of the golf clubs is up to the members of the clubs. They do all the work, make all of the arrangements, and run the tournaments from start to finish. The presidents, along with their boards, are responsible for these activities. Fortunately, over the years, they have taken these responsibilities seriously.

The Presidents

Traditionally, presidents have served only one term of one year. This has worked very well since each new president assumes office after being on the board for two years. They are well acquainted with the operation and the requirements of the position. Although each new president has generally been able to innovate improvements in the courses or the operation of the clubs, some have been more active than others.

Among those, John Spalding (1985) may have been one of the more influential agents of change. Building on improvements to the golf course during the presidency of Alford Peterson (1981), he initiated a golf study committee that examined all of the operations related to golf in Leisure World. It was from the studies of that committee and the work of succeeding presidents and boards that greens were renovated, cart paths built, practice facilities improved, 150-yard distance markers erected, putting contests begun, and the 35/65 ratio for determining users fees (greens fees) was suggested.

Later presidents extended the improvements with the appointment of a permanent golf advisory committee that includes representatives from all the golf clubs, the construction of an automatic watering system, and the lengthening of the courses.

Men's 18-Hole Club Past Presidents

1965 Jack Pas 1980 Chester Klopp 1995 Vern Welander 1966 Gerry Bert 1981 Alford Peterson 1996 John Stevens 1967 Gene Wolfe 1982 Robert Young 1997 Bill Francis 1968 Jack Taylor 1983 Elwin Raikes 1998 Alex DeNapoli 1969 Bill Foote 1984 Vance McKaskle 1999 Charles Berkowitz 1970 Alton E. Adams 1985 John Spalding 2000 Bill Carey 1971 Edward Benda 1986 Bob Hayes 1972 Mark Carroll 1987 Ray Eiden 1973 Fred Schafer 1988 Charles Hellmann 1974 Sherman Hill 1989 Walter Penn 1975 Harold Baker 1990 Oliver (Bud) Kolstoe 1976 Howard Lenithan 1991 Russ Gaudineer 1977 Albert Hally 1992 Robert Morton 1978 Lewis Minkel 1993 Ken Collins 1979 Richard Miller 1994 Bill Allen

Club Champions

The club championship is a match play tournament that has contestants playing with no handicaps (scratch). It began in 1965, and Rodney Trucks won the first championship. This tournament has been scheduled during different months of the

spring, summer and fall, but now runs for four consecutive weeks during the month of August.

The winners of more than one championship include: Eli Lorins, four wins over a three-decade period; Joe Sheriff and Harry Bartruff, two wins each; Bob Gregg, three wins, Guy Lamoreaux, two wins, Valley Voyles, five wins; Robert Gorevitz, three wins; Charles Hellmann, three wins; and Charles Berkowitz, two wins.

Valley Voyles set the course record of 64, shooting his age on November 12, 1986. Charles Hellmann was the first club champion to also become club president. But Charles Berkowitz was club putting champion, club champion and club president.

Men's is-Hole Club Champions

1965 Rodney Trucks 1976 Eli Lorins 1989-90 Charles Hellmann 1966 L.E. Overhouse, M.D. 1977-8 Robert Gregg 1991 Valley Voyles 1967 Philip Menoli 1979 Guy Lamoreaux 1992-3 Robert Gorevitz 1968-9 Eli Lorins 1980-1 Valley Voyles 1994 David Klaus 1970 Joseph Sheriff 1982 Guy Lamoreaux 1995 Charles Berkowitz 1971 Harry Bartruff 1983 Eli Lorins 1996 Harry Fleming 1972 Joseph Sheriff 1984 Ken Ellis 1997 Charles Hellmann 1973 Harry Bartruff 1985-6 Valley Voyles 1998 Charles Berkowitz 1974 Leroy Hutchinson 1987 Robert Gorevitz 1999 Curtis Teal 1975 Robert Gregg 1988 Francis Sanfilippo

President's Cup Champions

The President's Cup Tournament takes place over a three-week span in June. In this tournament the golfers use their handicaps as they play three rounds of golf (gross score minus handicaps). The golfers play in flights determined by their handicaps. Winners in the flights then compete in an 18-hole play-off. Since full handicaps are used, the valid argument against having a Hustler of the week or a Hustler of the Year has led to doing away with Hustler tournaments.

The tournament's forerunner began in the early years of golf in Leisure World.

Flights were determined by age groups. Five flights played the first tournament. A playoff was won by George Crank on August 12, 1966. However, so many people felt that age grouping was an unfair way to run a tournament that the format was changed in 1981-to the present system. The winner of the new format tournament was Roy Hammerman, former sports producer for NBC. The winner with the lowest handicap was Jim Speckens, (1990), a survivor of the Bataan Death March in WWII. He had a handicap of only 6.

Men's 18-Hole Club President's Cup Winners

1966 George Crank 1988 Malcolm Davis 1994-5 AJ. Stadjuhar 1967-1975 (No records) 1989 Easton Roberts 1996 George Lazarowitz 1976 Alford Peterson 1990 James Speckens 1997 Dick Fuchs 1977-1985 (No records) 1991 Ken Dooley 1998 Dave Youlovsky 1986 Roy Hammerman 1992 Shelden Wirth 1999 Archie Klieff 1987 AJ. Stadjuhar 1993 Miles Tuft Hustler Of The Week Champions

In Septemjber, 1983, the board decided that golfers who had handicaps, who did the best they could, should be identified and honored. Each week the person who shot the lowest net score (gross score minus his handicap) was designated Hustler of the Week. At the 'end of the year, a tournament was held among the weekly winners to identify a Hustler of the year. The winner was given a red hat, shirt, and slacks to wear as a warning to other golfers to be wary of him. This continued until 1992 when the board considered the Presidents Cup and the Hustler tournament redundant.

Hustler Champions

1983 William C. Wilson 1987 Milton Aralis 1990 Samuel L. Rhodes 1984 Robert J. Polzin 1988 Lincoln Wollenberg 1991 Robert A. Koelb 1985 J .W. (Hank) Chelson 1989 Dale Raridon 1992 Tournament discontinued 1986 Fred Stark

Putting Champions

Each week a putting contest is held following the monthly men's club meetings (held on the fourth Tuesday of the Month). In 1984 a contest involving the winners and runners-up was started. The format is the same for the monthly tournaments as for the final. Held on the putting green adjacent to the parking lot of Clubhouse #2, the players draw numbers to designate the hole on which each starts. It is a shot-gun start but any player who scores more that 2 on a hole is eliminated. This continues until a winner emerges. No handicaps are used, so this is a true test of skill. The winner in 1984 was Dale Raridon, and to this date Raridon has won a total of 27 weekly contests and has been putter of the year three times

Men's 18-Hole Club Putting Champions

1984 Dale Raridon 1991 Ed Larson 1985 Ken Ellis 1992-3 Dale Raridon 1986-7 Vance McKaskle 1994-5 Charles Berkowitz 1988 Frank Holscher 1996 Bill Baugh 1989 Miles H. Tuft 1997 Fred Herfkens 1990 Harry Schulner 1998-9 Charles Berkowitz Men's Nine-Hole Club

Prior to 1995 any golfer who could not or no longer wished to play a full 18- hole round of golf during the Wednesday Men's Day tournaments, was simply excluded from the tournaments. However, he could sign the Standby Sheet and hope to team with another golfer who would share the time, each one playing nine holes.

A men's club for nine hole golfers had been tried in the past, but no one had taken the initiative to develop an officially recognized club.

Mac Rosen moved to Leisure World in 1978. For 16 years he played regularly in the Wednesday tournaments. By 1995, however, he could no longer play 18 holes so he was forced to sign the Standby I List hoping to be joined by another 'golfer to fill out the time slot. It was a frustrating situation. Mac finally did the necessary paper work to start a club for men.golfers who wished to play only nine holes. On March 8, 1995, the Men's Nine-Hole Golf Club was begun with 54 members at its first meeting. Four years later, the membership was over a hundred and it is a vigorously.growing club with its own Wednesday tournaments, joint outings with the Women's Nine-Hole Club, regular monthly meetings, and an annual dinner dance.

For the first 3 years, Mac Rosen was president. In 1998, Sy Schwartzberg was elected, and he served through 1999.

Five golfers have· been Club Champions: Bill Powers, 1995, Kay Kadish, 1996, Gene Jahnke, 1997, Bill Grant, 1998 and Bob Henderson, 1999.

In 1996 a new tournament was begun, the President's Cup, with Bill Powers the winner. He was followed by Vince McGee in 1997, Len Baskind in 1998, and Harry Beale in 1999.

The Laguna Woods Women's Golf Club

The women quickly followed the men in forming their own golf club, The Laguna Hills Women's Golf Club. The first meeting was held in April, 1965, with 36 members. By July there were 75 members.

The women elected to play their weekly tournaments. on Tuesdays. The hours between 8:30 and 10:00 a.m. were reserved for their tee times. Tuesday is still considered Ladies' Day, but tee times have been altered, beginning earlier during the summer months.

In addition to the Tuesday tournaments, the women have provided the impetus for a variety of social events. The first Wednesday of each month, except for July and August, is the day of their golf meeting. Golf related items are discussed by the board members and the general membership. Some months there is a guest speaker. In addition, there is a spring luncheon and a holiday luncheon. The annual dinner-dance takes place in the fall, at which time the past presidents of the club are honored.

Golf, of course, is the main thing on the members' minds and in their hearts. There are nine tournaments a year. These include the Club Championship, the President's Cup, and the annual invitational, which attracts guests from near and far.

Past Presidents

The focus for meetings has come from the presidents and boards of directors. The first president was Mary Tripp (1965) who was instrumental in organizing the club. She was followed by Mary Stutzman, Wini Godden, Florence Seiler, Opal Lehn, and Vi Royer. Not only was Vi president, but she became Club Champion 13 different years.

In 1971 Barbara Ayers was president, followed by' Helen Thomsen, who with her husband, Tommy hosted travel tours all over the world. Mary Hastings served in 1973 and was a leader in launching the-Sunday mixers. She was followed by Katy Ross, who achieved acclaim for organizing the 10th Anniversary of Leisure World Parade.

Roberta Lindberg preceded Corinne Pyle who was president in 1977. Corinne won the President's Cup in 1975 and 1979. In 1988 with partner Verna Cyr, she won the Friendship Cup. Corinne continued to play good golf and shot her age, 92, in 1997.

Ruby Baker served as president in 1978. It was when Hazel Loney was president in 1979 that the Par Three Leisure World course opened. The foursome of Carl Monahan and Maurice Ramsey of GRF, Ralph Evans, Director of Golf, and Dick Miller, President of the Men's Club, teed off first. Surprisingly, not one of these men pared the hole. Perhaps this was due to the champagne at the cutting ceremony.

Then the women had their chance. Officers of the Women's Club, Hazel Loney, Ruby Baker and Laura Cantlin all had pars. The fourth member of their foursome, Doris Howe had a birdie. So much for the superiority of men!

In 1982, when June Wood was president, the golf club got a brand new look. Following a plan developed by Bob Loney, the pro shop was extended to include a new starter house. The lounge and restrooms were remodeled, and a snack shop appeared. Cart and club storage areas were created. Thus ended a storm of controversy that had vigorously debated the pro shop remodeling plans for nearly five years.

A dress code established during the presidency of Bebe Weyand was updated in the 90's by Martha Hellmann, 1993 president and Harry Fleming of the Men's Club. The dress code, however, has been hard to enforce, especially when guests arrive dressed improperly. PCM employees, as well as members hesitate to reprimand strangers. However, the code is posted near the starter window, and this seems to have kept violations to a minimum.

Leisure World special anniversaries are celebrated with a parade of golf carts. Both 18-and 9-holers, men and women, decorate their carts and form a procession through Leisure World. They are great events, with cart owners vying to outdo one another in embellishing their carts.

There have been only two couples where both members have served as presidents of the Women's and Men's Golf Clubs, Dolores and AI Peterson and Martha and Charles Hellmann.

Women's 18-Hole Club Past Presidents

1965 Mary Tripp 1977 Corinne Pyle 1989 Virginia McDonald 1966 Louise Stutzman 1978 Ruby Baker 1990 Jan Vogt 1967 Winni Godden 1979 Hazel Loney 1991 Nora Smith 1968 Florence Seiler 1980 Doris Howe 1992 Marjorie Newsome 1969 Opal Lehn 1981 Helen Anderson 1993 Martha Hellmann 1970 Violet Royer 1982 June Wood 1994 Katie Welch 1971 Barbara Ayers 1983 Bebe Weyand 1995 Marjorie Rosenthal 1972 Helen Thomsen 1984 Helen Harrington 1996 Pat Gardner 1973 Mary Hastings 1985 Gail Coutts 1997 Sheryl Baugh 1974 Eleanor Kemper 1986 Dolores Peterson 1998 Rosemary Wysong 1975 Katy Ross 1987 Edna Ugrin 1999 Jeanne Fleming 1976 Roberta Lindberg 1988 Virginia Templeton

Women's Past Club Champions

Competition among the women golfers has been constant and keen. Champions were determined for both the 18-hole players and the 9-hole players, even when they belonged to the same club. Sophia Merrill was the first 18-hole champion in 1966. Vi Royer a champion for 13 years, proved that practicing every pay pays off Clio Wet moor, champion in 1974 and 1985, learned her golf swing while she and her husband were prisoners of the Japanese in the Philippines during World War 11. In 1984 Kim Rooney won the first of her Club Championships, repeating in 1986, 1988, and 19,89. She added to that fine record a win of the President's Cup in 1990. Vi Royer continued to demonstrate' her skill by winning four President's Cups events.

Beatrice Lorins, who won the President's Cup in 1977, was the only woman champion whose husband was Men's Club Champion. Berta Patterson won the President's Cup in 1976 and then used her classic style to repeat in 1983, 1984, 1986 and 1989. Chis Wood won in 1980 and again in 1982. Bebe Weyand had the distinction of winning in 1981 while she was club president.

After Hilda Donaldson won in 1985, a new tournament called the Friendship Cup was begun. It employed a partnership format to determine the winners. The Friendship Cup was replaced by the Friendship Tournament, which has since been discontinued.

Women's 18-Hole Club Champions

1966 Sophia Merrill 1975-9; 1980-3 Violet Royer 1991 Kim Rooney 1967-9 Violet Royer 1984 Kim Rooney 1992 Rita Schoonmaker 1970-1 Margaret Bushard 1985 Cleo Wetmore 1993-4 Marge Rosenthal 1972-3 Violet Royer 1986-9 Kim Rooney 1995-6 Rita Schoonmaker 1974 Cleo Wetmore 1990 Marge Rosenthal 1997-9 Shirley Corey

Women's is-Hole Club President's Cup Champions

1965-68 No Tournament 1978 Violet Royer 1990 Kim Rooney 1969 Violet Royer 1979 Corinne Pyle 1991 Ginger Raikes 1970 Opal Lehn 1980 Chislaine Wood 1992 Kim Rooney 1971 Violet Royer 1981 Bebe Weyand 1993 Joann Flett 1972 Helen Brom 1982 Chislaine Wood 1994 Kim Rooney 1973 Mary Hastings 1983-4 Berta Patterson 1995 Ruth Salzberg 1974 Violet Royer 1985 Hilda Donaldson 1996 Dorothy Stevens

1975 Corinne Pyle 1986 Berta Patterson 1997 Bev Beesemyer 1976 Berta Patterson 1987-8 No Tournament 1998 No Tournament 1977 Bea Lorins 1989 Berta Patterson 1999 Nancy Parker Most Improved Golfer

In 1984 the board decided to provide some incentive to the women golfers to improve their skills, They recognized the year's most improved woman golfer. Each year since that time they have named the woman who has improved her handicap by the greatest amount. The following is a list of those golfers.

Women's is-Hole Club Most Improved Golfer

1984 Mona MacMorris 1989 Elizabeth Brown 1994 Bobbi Smith 1985 Berta Patterson 1990 Fern Schafer 1995 Vivian Emerson 1986 Phyllis Seabern Evans 1991 Glenda Duncan 1996 Juanita MacMorris 1987 Lucille Snyder 1992 Verdell Lavrouhn 1997 Loretta Corbett 1988 Violet Royer 1993 Flo Rowe 1998 Nancy Parker 1999 Marilyn Stiefel Women's Nine-Hole Club

In the 1970's, the women held competition during their Tuesday 18-hole tournaments for some members who wished to play only nine holes. These tournaments were organized by a committee with a chairman from the Women's 18-Hole Club.

By 1979 an attempt to restrict the nine-hole players to third course created a storm of protest. An appeal to Pro Ralph Evaqs for mediation was turned down on the grounds the controversy was an internal club matter. After six months of discussion, Skip Stone, Recreation Director, finally settled the dispute. One complaint had been that there were no five par holes on the third course. By Iengthening the women's tee just a little, the first hole could be played as a five par for the women. However, the settlement of the controversy lasted only four years before it re-emerged in 1983.

Richard May, the Recreation Director, helped settle the matter by ruling that both the 18-and nine-hole players were entitled to full access to all the courses. That ruling was cemented when the nine-hole players were recognized as a separate club in 1984, with Virginia McGill as the organizer.

A movement to reserve Thursdays for the Women's Nine-Hole Club was vetoed by Ralph Evans. He was concerned that reserving Tuesdays for the 18-Hole Women's Club, Wednesdays for the Men's Club, and Thursdays for the Women's Nine-Hole

Club, effectively prevented non-club affiliated golfers from legitimate access to the courses for three days in a row, and this was patently unfair.

Since that time, the two women's clubs have shared all three courses as equitably and amicably as possible on Tuesday. Beginning in 1987, they have held a Combo Day each year where members of both clubs play together.

Once a year the Women's Nine-Hole Club plays a tournament with members of the Men's Nine-Hole Club.

Four meetings and two luncheons are held each year. In addition a mixer for couples and for ladies' partners is held once a year. It includes a barbeque for all the players and guests.

Although the members of the Nine-Hole Club use handicaps based on nine holes, there is no prohibition against securing handicaps for 18 holes if a golfer wishes to do so.

The club that began as a special group of golfers from the 18-Hole Women's Club now has its own identity, about 200 members, and continues to grow. It has its own club officers and runs tournaments to select a Club Champion and a President's Cup winner annually, along with selecting a most improved golfer.

Women's Nine-Hole Club Past Presidents

1984 Antha Leggett 1989 Helen Wright 1995 Betty Wotring 1985 Peg Bell 1990 Lillian Bynum 1996 Dora Freestone 1986 Peg Pettigrew 1991 Mary Lovejoy 1997 Rosemary Hughes 1987 Emma Smith 1992 Miriam Mannix 1998 Shirley Greene 1988 Virginia McGill 1993-4 Bruna Hurd 1999 Julie Neundorfer

Women's Nine-Hole Club Champions

1966 Jewel Goldy 1976 Kathryn Nelson 1988 Bev Beesemyer 1967 Ruth Williamson 1977 Phyllis Magnus 1989-90 Thelma Spencer 1968 Marie T. Jarosch 1978-80 Kathryn Nelson 1991-2 Teri Fiorella' 1969 Marian Major 1981 Catherine Darby 1993 Doris Byers 1970-1 Edith Cooke 1982-3 Phyllis S. Evans 1994-5 Linda Burke 1972 Virginia Nufer 1984 Virginia McGill 1996 Doris Byers 1973 Elsa Garabedian 1985 Alice Auld 1997 Joan Pierce 1974 Viola Krahn ~ 1986 Marge Colquhoun 1998-9 Linda Giss 1975 Elsa Garabedian 1987 Marge Rosenthal

Women's Nine-Hole Club President's Cup Winners

1984-5 Gwen Holle 1989 Gwen Holle 1993 Helen Krugman 1986 Emma Smith 1990 Teri Fiorella 1994-5 Linda Burke 1987 Alice Auld 1991 Virginia McGill 1996-7 Doris Byers 1988 Bev Beesmyer 1992 Doris Byers 1998-9 Linda Giss

Women's Nine-Hole Club Most Improved Golfer

1984 Evelyn Ellis 1989 Jane Hunsaker 1994 Linda Burke 1985 Phyllis Seabern Evans 1990 Gwy Aldridge 1995 Libby St. John 1986 Evelyn Cooper 1991Doris Byers 1996 Joan Pierce 1987 Marge Rosenthal 1992 Bruna Hurd 1997 Hilda Fried 1988 Beverly Beesemyer 1993 Betty Lynn 1998 Joan Pierce 1999 Mary Repp

Mixers

Through the years the mixers held monthly from April through October have become increasingly popular. Both 18-and nine-hole clubs have supported their own mixed events. The first mixer in 1965 was a nine-hole mixed Scotch event. No formal party followed, but along the way a potluck was organized by members. The porch was the scene of much hilarity and camaraderie following the golf game. As time went on, these gatherings developed into the after golf dinner dances at the clubhouses. While the couples played golf, there were two women who set up the clubhouses for the party, first Lillian Klapp and Julie Gregg, followed by Kate Shorer and Irma Mittermann. Kate left Leisure World in 1999, and Ginger Raikes has taken her place. They do a great job and are much appreciated by the golfers who play in the mixers.

Western American Golf Association

Handicap records and course ratings are available to men golfers through the Southern California Golf Association (S.C.G.A.)

In the early days of golf in Leisure World, similar services were available to women members of Southern California Women's Golf Association (S.CW.G.A.) However, for a women's club to qualify for membership in the S.C.W.G.A. it had to have a clubhouse with dressing rooms and shower facilities at its home course. Lacking the dressing room and showers, the Laguna .Hills Women's Golf Club could not qualify for membership. To get the handicap and course rating services, the L.H.W.G.C. supported a chapter of the Western American Golf Association and joined in 1971.

W.A.G.A. was a separate organization under the umbrella of the L.H.W.G.c., and individual memberships were voluntary. However, in 1989, the W.A.G.A. Board of Directors decreed that clubs had to have all of the members enrolled in W.A.G.A. Faced with the possible loss of handicap updating and course rating services, the L.H.W.G.C. voted to make membership in W.A.G.A. a co-condition of membership in L.H.W.G.C.

When individual W.A.G.A. membership was voluntary, the group had its own meetings, luncheons, teams, and tournaments, which generated a strong "in-group" spirit. The removal of voluntary membership in W.A.G.A. and making it mandatory was vigorously resisted, but ultimately failed. However, at the last meeting of the voluntary group in November 1989, they voted to continue as a social club.

The Little Club

A committee was formed to examine the feasibility of such a club. On February 21, 1990 the committee recommended the formation of a club, and after considering various names, decided on April 18, 1990 to call it The Little Club (T.L.C.)

For eight years the club was actively involved with fun golf events, luncheons, and other programs. Gradually membership and interest waned and on October 21, 1997, the board voted to disband. The dissolution took place following a luncheon meeting on November 19, 1997, in Clubhouse #3, Dining Room #1. Only 14 people were present at the final meeting. The treasury balance of $106 was given to the Leisure World Library and the Club disbanded.

THE CHRONICLES

As Trevino observed, "The older I get, the better I used to be." Golf, therefore, is an ideal game for the elderly since it's those memories that breed serenity as our patently obvious incompetence increases. The chroniclers preserve those memories for us. They mitigate the sting of lost distance on our drives and accuracy on our putts by recording our winners and leaders.

The Women's 18-Hole Club Books

From the beginning in March of 1965, the ladies have kept careful track of the people and events of their club. Nora Patterson kept the first scrap book for 14 years, until January of 1979. Preserving newspaper articles, stories, pictures and the Putter Patter columns from the Leisure World News, the original book, 'large in size became too heavy to carry and manage. It was turned over, along with subsequent books to the Leisure World Historical Society.

Since 1982, all Putter Patter columns have been carefully pasted in school- type notebooks and passed from one writer to the next.

Putter Patter 18 Writers

The first writer of a column devoted to the happenings of the Women's 18- Hole Club appeared in the Leisure World News in 1971. Eleanor Kemper wrote the column called simply Putter Patter. For. the next 19 years, a succession of writers commented on events, tournaments, social affairs, and even provided golf tips.

In 1984 when the Women's Nine-Hole Club was formed, the number 18 was added to the title of the organization to eliminate confusion.

Through the years, the columns have included winners of weekly golf tournaments and any news pertaining to golf in the community. Many women 18-hole golfers read this column before they read anything else in the paper.

The job of the columnist has been a difficult position to fill, but each writer has brought her own unique style to the task. It is the dedicated women who are owed a lot of thanks for the enjoyment they have given to their many readers.

The Women's Nine-Hole Club Books

From its beginning in 1984, Adeline Hess kept up the scrapbook through December of 1986. A second book beginning in 1987 and ending with the 25 I Anniversary Parade in 1989, is inexplicably arranged from back to front. Also, it does not have an identified author, perhaps because each year a new historian was selected. However, Barbara Averill finished out the year of 1989.

In 1990, 91, 92, and 93, Catherine Mannix carried on the historian duties. Arlene Miles kept the records in 1994, 1995, and again in 1997. Lila Gossett served in 1996, and MariJan Vested in 1998 was succeeded by Toby Brooks in 1999.

Putter Patter 9

The first column for the Women's Nine-Hole Club was written by Virginia McGill who also started the club. The next year Nita Wyse wrote the column. She was the only golfer to have written both Putter Patter 18 and Putter Patter 9, although at different times.

The Men's Golf Club Books

The Men's Golf Club had no scrapbooks comparable to those of the Women's clubs prior to 1988. At that time, Oliver (Bud) Kolstoe became secretary of the Men's Golf Club. Curious about the origins of golf in Leisure World, he began asking questions of people who had lived here for some time. The answers he got were often contradictory.

He had access to two notebooks of minutes, one for Secretaries of the club, and one for Presidents. In addition, past president and former Hooks and Slices writer John Spalding, had a collection of Leisure World Newspapers that went back to 1977. While incomplete, they contained a wealth of stories and columns pertaining to the club.

Kolstoe cut out information relating to golf from the papers and began building a scrapbook. As time went on, he continued to collect the weekly columns and other information, subsequently filling seven photo albums with text materials. In 1991, he wrote the first "History of Golf in Leisure World."

Glenn Siler, retired president of his own pharmaceutical company, started taking pictures of golf events and golfers in 1982. By 1988, Glenn had arranged plaques with the names and pictures of Club Champions, Past Presidents, Putting Champions, and writers of Hooks and Slices on the walls of the Golf Shop Lounge.

After his death in 1993, a tournament was begun in his honor. Dick Backensto won in 1993, Howard Luetzow in 1994, Lou Kulusch in 1995, Ed Mungen in 1996, and Dick Blatt in 1997. The tournament was skipped in 1998, but started again in 1999 won by Herb Cohn

Dick; Blum, one of the former coaches of the Olympic Speed Skater Bonnie Blair, became the official photographer for the men's club in 1993. Besides taking pictures of participants in special golf-related events he has continued to decorate the walls of the Lounge with pictures of champions and past presidents.

Hooks and Slices

The first column in the Leisure World News devoted to men's golf appeared in February 1966. Called "From Tee to Green," it was written by Lindsay Williams. That title was also used by Bill Robiffs and Roy Kraus until July 1, 1971, when Kraus used the title "Hooks and Slices."

In 1972 Don Black changed the title to "Take a Mulligan," and made it a weekly report. In January 1973, Roy Kraus adopted the column again and changed the name back to "Hooks and Slices." Paul Zimmerman, former sports columnist for the Los Angeles Times adopted the title when he wrote the column from March 22, 1973 until 1976. The title "Hooks and Slices" has been maintained ever since although the authors have changed frequently.

Saddleback College Golf Coach Bill Cunerty and Bob Vogel Head Golf Pro at Laguna Woods Golf Club

Putter Patter 18 Writers

1971 Eleanor Kemper

1984 Hilda Donaldson

1993 Katie Welch 1973 Doris Howe

1985 Hilda Donaldson

1994 Pat Gardner 1975 Ida Mae Witham

1986 Martha Hellmann

1995 Mary Larmore 1976 Marybelle Weldon

1987 Martha Hellmann

1996 Joann Flett 1977 Glee Earl

1988 Mona MacMorris

1997 Virginia Alexander 1979 Dorothy Brown

1989 Marie Klein

1998 Virginia Alexander 1980 Lori Douglas

1990 Marie Klein

Louise Wheelock 1981 Barbara Averill

1991 Marie Klein

1999 Barbara Ellis 1982 Beatrice Williamson

1992 Marge Rosenthal Rita Christie

Putter Patter 9 Writers

1984 Virginia McGill

1992 Antha Leggett

1996 Nita Wyse 1985 Nita Wyse

1993 Antha Leggett

1997 Virginia Morrisey 1986 Kay Butts

1994 Doris Byers

1997 Marci Lucas 1987 Evelyn Burlingame

1995 Leggett

1998 Virginia Morrisey 1988 Lillian Bynum

1995 Cay Mannix

1999 Viola Schmid 1989 Doris Byers

1995 Ethel Neben

1999 Mary Baumgartner 1990 Liz Walson

1996 Shirley Greene

1999 Ann Marcus 1991 Lu Hayword

1996 Noelle Elliot

Men's 18 Hole Column Writers

1966-7 Lindsay Williamson ''From Tee to Green" 1982-3 Easton Roberts 1968 Bill Robiffs 1984-5 John Spalding 1969- 70 Roy Kraus 1986-8 William Wilson 1971 Roy Kraus'~''Hooks and Slices" 1989-90 Dick Burlingame 1972 Frank Rossi 1991-2-3 Dick Clark 1973 Don Black "Take a Mulligan" 1993-4 Gale Charles MacMorris 1973 Roy Kraus "Hooks & Slices" 1995-6 Dick Burlingame 1969 (Occasionally Paul Zimmerman)

Dick Clark

1975 Paul Zimmerman ''Hooks and Slices"

Frank McKee 1976-78 Don Slutz 1997 -8 Bob Graham 1979-81 Robert Loney 1998-9 Bob Christians

Men's 9 Hole Column Writers

1995 Mac Rosen

1996 Bernie Siegal, Mac Rosen

1997 -8-9 Dave Woolner

ACTIVITIES

Reservations

From the beginning, reservations for tee times were on a first-come first- served basis. Early on this was no problem, but soon course crowding made getting reservations an ordeal. The Pro Shop opened at 7:00 a.m. In order to get the tee time a golfer wanted, he or she had to get in line. On busy days, Mondays, Fridays, and Sundays, people would start lining up their cars on Moulton Parkway before 4:00 a.m. outside of Gate 12, that opened at 5:00 a.m.

Since Moulton was a narrow road at that time, quite a traffic problem was created by the line-up. In 1984 Randy Woods proposed a lottery system in which golfers could select tee times for the day of the lottery, a week in advance. One person from a foursome filled out a slip of paper with the names of the players, and the preferred tee time and deposited it in the Pro Shop. At 9:30 a.m. the slips were drawn randomly, and tee times assigned as closely as possible to the time requested.

The system was tried only on Fridays to begin with. When times on Courses 1 and 2 between 7:00 a.m. and 8:24 a.m. were filled, players were assigned Courses 2 and 3.

After a trial that ran only from April to September of 1984, the system was abandoned in favor of first-come first- 'served. The major objection was the fact that

tee assignments were made without the knowledge or input of the golfers requesting the times. Under the old system, if the preferred tee time was filled, the golfer was present, and could choose from the remaining open times the most convenient time for his group.

By 1990, a lottery system was in place again, but this time golfers had to assemble in the Pro Shop (later the lounge) before 6:30 a.m., and fill out a slip of paper with the names of the players. At 6:30 a.m. a plastic bucket containing enough numbers on blocks of wood so each person present would get a number, was passed around. Each person drew a number. The numbers were called in order, and the person holding the number called handed his slip of paper to a recorder and picked a starting time from among those available for that day, a week hence. The names of the golfers were recorded on a master sheet to be used the next week.

In 1999, Club Pro Bob Vogle reported on a telephone system he had observed at a trade show. This system involves using a computer to record the calls and assign the tee times. It is similar to the system used in the 1980s, but much more rapid because of the use of a computer that can juggle four telephone calls at one time. When he explained the system to a Men's Club meeting, the response was less than enthusiastic so the project was dropped.

It's possible that some computerized system will emerge in the future. For the time being, tee times can be requested through the lottery system at 6:30 a.m. a week ahead of time and anytime thereafter. The system in use is fair and provides immediate information on tee times and courses and that, apparently, is of paramount interest to the golfers.

The Lessee vs Resident Owner Controversy

Given the remarkably pleasant climate of Leisure World, it is small wonder that people from cold country (snow birds) flock here in the winter months and from warm climes (sun birds) in the summer to rent manors for several months. The increased demand for use of the facilities overwhelms availability, creating resentment among some of the resident owners.

Judge AJ. (Bud) Bernhardt

In particular, golf course prime starting times are in great demand. In 1988 Charles Hellmann, on behalf of the Laguna Hills Men's Golf Club, presented a request to Golden Rain for differentiated tee times for resident owners vs. lessee golfers. Specifically, the proposal was for resident/owners to make their requests for tee times a half- hour before the lessees. The request was turned down by GRF.

Leisure World is a non-profit mutual benefit corporation operating under the California Corporation Code. One part of the code specifies that an owner of a unit cannot transfer rights and privileges to another 'person without transferring ownership.. GRF had passed a renter's resolution giving lessees the same rights as owner/residents and at the same price.

Where upon a group of golfers calling themselves the Concerned Owner Residents Committee (CORC) initiated legal action in April of 1990. Although the lawsuit was aimed at the legality of allowing lessees the use of all the facilities of Leisure World, there was an underlying concern that Leisure World was, in effect, defining itself as an inexpensive recreation resort, threatening the very purpose and structure of Leisure World as a community run for the benefit of owner/residents.

Both parties filed for a Motion of Summary Judgment in the fall of 1991 asking for a determination of the rights and obligations under the codes and bylaws of the corporation. CORC wanted clarification of the trust documents that govern Leisure World and of the controversial resolution. CORC alleged that the action of GRF in passing the renters resolution was an illegal abuse of power and therefore void under the California Corporation Code. GRF contended it had legal power to pass resolutions governing the use of Leisure World facilities. The court ruled that GRF did indeed have the power to pass rules governing the use of Leisure World facilities.

CORC then appealed to the District Court of Appeals. No witnesses were called and no opposing arguments presented. The court heard the presentations and ruled that GRF had that power.

Leisure Worlder retired Judge AJ. (Bud) Bernhardt, who assisted CORC in preparing the lawsuit, reported in August 1992, that only two courses of action were possible: (1) Appeal to the California Supreme Court, or (2) Elect people sympathetic to the CORC point of view to positions on the governing boards, and ultimately, the Golden Rain Foundation which could rescind the resolution.

The matter was never settled, just ended. CORC didn't have the financial resources to carry the case to the Supreme Court. Recognizing that GRF and the Mutual Boards wield the power to regulate the use of Leisure World facilities, five of the CORC organizers ran for the boards. All five, Charles Hellmann, Hank Thomas, Walter Penn, Tom McCauley and Phyllis Fish, were elected.

Once on the boards, they began a concerted study of all aspects of Leisure World facilities and functions. Starting with the budgeting process, they looked at ways to make their governance more efficient, effective, and economical. Since all had prior experience in corporate, business, and institutional management, they were extremely effective in their efforts. Not only was governance streamlined, their efforts saved a million dollars in the next year with no reduction in services, and reduced the manor fees by $13.26 per manor in third mutual.

However, at that time there were more than five hundred manors for sale, and not many buyers. One of the common practices for prospective buyers was to rent for three months to see if they wanted to live in Leisure World. If they did, they would then become buyers and residents. It was clear to the newly elected board members that any threat to renters rights to participate in the activities could jeopardize their enjoyment of living here. It did not seem wise t6 interfere with that sales promotion, so they did not attempt to repeal J the renter's resolution. Furthermore, they recognized that challenging the resolution could open up a lawsuit that would involve huge expenditures of time and money. Instead they concentrated on the job of governance they were elected to do.

Even though their original motivations may have been related to improving golf opportunities, once on the boards, they put aside their personal desires and worked for the betterment of the whole community.

It is a classic example of serendipity, with Leisure World the beneficiary. It seems ironic that what started out as a simple request for differentiated tee times failed to achieve that goal, but has in the end, benefited all of Leisure World in the form of reduced costs and improved governance. But the renter's resolution still stands, as it will until rescinded by some future board action.

Luther Self Skins Game

In 1986, Luther Self, former TV star and owner of Laguna Hills Properties Real Estate Agency, wanted to do something special to help his favorite charity, the Children's Wing of Saddleback Hospital. One of his real estate agents, Ralph Smathers, an avid golfer, convinced Luther that sponsoring a Golf Tournament for golfers in Leisure World might be a popular event.

1988 Kim Rooney, Anita Fisher, Luther Self, Fran Backensto, Clio Wetmore, Beverly Beesemyer

Luther agreed to finance a skins game, charging each participant $10 as entry fee with that money being given to the hospital as a charity contribution from the golfer who paid it The prize money for the tournament would be furnished by Laguna Hills Properties.

Qualifying consisted of picking the five players who had the lowest eclectic scores from two rounds played the week before the Skins Game, That is each player used his lowest score on each hole from either of the two qualifying rounds. The final five players then played a Skins Game for $25 per hole on the first nine holes, and $50 a hole on the second nine. The players with the lowest score on a hole won the money for that hole and any money carried over from previous holes that had two or more players tied for the lowest score, Luther's company put up $675 in prize money.

Matt Krasowski, Oliver (Bud) Kolstoe, Frank Sanfilippo, Luther Self, Don Reed, Charles Hellmann

In a Skins Game, being a player with a low handicap is not always a good predictor of who will win the most money. In the first year, Gerry Rickert with a handicap of 15 won most of the money. He actually won $475, but was only allowed to keep $350 because of amateur standing limitations imposed by the U.S.G.A

Charlie Hellmann, a low handicap player won in 1987, but the next year (1988) Cliff Culley, with a 10 handicap, won. The low handicap golfers, however, demonstrated their skills as Hellmann won in 1989 and 1992, Bobby Gorevitz in 1990 and 1991, Eddie Malone in 1993, Santo Provanzano in 1994 and 1996, and AJ. Warkentine in 1995.

After the first year of the men's game, the ladies also had a chance to play their own Skins Game, Again Luther Self earmarked the entry fees to the Children's Wing of Saddleback Hospital, but provided the prize money for both the men's and ladies games himself. In 1987, 1989, and 1992, Kim Rooney won the most money. Cleo Wetmore won in 1988, Marge Rosenthal in 1990, Rita Schoonmaker in 1991 and again in 1995. But no records could be found for the years 1993 and 1994.

The women didn't have any tournament after 1995, and the last men's tournament took place in 1996. There's no doubt that the real winners were the patients in the Children's Wing of the hospital. It's too bad more players didn't participate before the competitions were terminated.

Extended Golf

In April 1965, a month after the Men's Club was formed, a home and home tournament was held with golfers from Leisure World Seal Beach, The format for the matches was two-man match play with two points to the winner of the front nine, two points for the back, and two for the 18. Ties were split one and one. Laguna Hills won 46 to 32. These matches continued until 1990. At that time, two men's clubs had been formed in Seal Beach, reputedly because of a dispute. This made it difficult to determine just which group really represented Seal Beach. And since the matches were played on Willowick Golf Course, a short public course that was not always well maintained, Laguna Hills golfers were reluctant to drive thirty miles through increasing road traffic to play it. All in all, it seemed prudent to end the outings.

The same year the matches with Seal Beach began, a series was initiated with Sun City on their Cherry Hills course. As many as 70 golfers from each club have participated. Chartered busses have furnished the transportation. In addition to the open bar at each home club, the busses have been well stocked with libations with which golfers could celebrate or drown their sorrows after golf. By 1990 the matches stood at 14 won by Laguna Hills, to 12 won by Sun City. By the time Laguna Hills became Laguna Woods in 1999, the matches stood at 19 for Laguna Woods, Sun City 16. The competition continues, but the number of participants has dropped to only enough for one bus load - about 40 men.

Rancho San Joaquin

In the spring of 1989, a home and home series was started with the Men's Golf Club of Rancho San Joaquin. It began with 24 players on each team. A lunch and social hour followed golf.

During the next seven years, the matches continued, but each year it became! more 'difficult to recruit enough players to make up a tournament. In 1996, Leisure World golfers won by a total of 116 more points than the group from Rancho San Joaquin. In addition, a change in management at Rancho allowed the lunch to slip from what had once been a delightful buffet to wrapped cold sandwiches, a piece of fruit, and a bag of chips.

Furthermore, tee times started before 8:00 a.m. in order to clear the course for other golfers. It seemed clear that management didn't seem to value the participation of the visitors very much. Although some effort was made to continue the competition, the effort was unsuccessful, and the matches were discontinued after 1996. In 1993,

Laguna Hills won. Rancho San Joaquin won in 1994 and 1995, but Laguna Hills won again in 1996, the final tournament.

The Orange County Seniors Golf Association

In 1966, Cecil Crewes and some friends at Los Coyotes Country Club, organized the OCSGA. It is made up of a limited number of golfers from private clubs in Orange County. Early members from Leisure World who were members before moving to Leisure World, continued their participation and brought in new players from Laguna Hills. New golfers must be below the age of 72 (originally 70) have handicaps in the low twenties or less, and be proposed by a current member of the association.

The OCSGA rents private clubs, usually on the first or second Monday of the month (when the clubs are normally closed), for a tournament followed by a cocktail hour, dinner, and awarding of prizes. Each December, a two-day tournament is held in the Palm Springs area. The outing includes an accompanying tournament for wives and/or lady friends.

In the Spring, a two-day Presidents Cup tournament is held at a golf resort, usually in California or Arizona. A ladies' tournament is scheduled in conjunction with it. In the Fall, a special golf outing in Canada, various parts of the continental United States, Hawaii, or a Caribbean Island, with an accompanying ladies tournament is held.

At times, the waiting list for membership had been as long as 5 years. However, in 1986, a controversy over building a golf house on Chapman Avenue in Fullerton, resulted in the withdrawal of a number of golfers from the Arrowhead Country Club. With that, the waiting list was eliminated.

Leisure World has had its share of winners in the various tournaments, beginning with George Baker who won Low Gross in 1974. Valley Voyles won the Low Net trophy in 1989, and Oliver (Bud) Kolstoe won Low Net in 1995. However, the biggest winners were for Golfer of the Year in 1978 by James R. Kelly and in 1979 by Ernest Jacobi. In the special category, the E group made up of the oldest players, Elmer Darling won in 1977, Ernest Jacobi in 1982, Sherman Hill in 1983, Frank Hall in 1987, and Eddie Selmer in 1990. Leisure World continues to have quite a few active members with new ones added each year.

The Laguna Beach Golf Association

During the early days of golf in Leisure World, golfers from the surrounding area were welcome guests. Many carne, from Laguna Beach. However, as time went on the Laguna Hills course became crowded and guests were' allowed to play only if accompanied by a resident of Leisure World. Jack Lund, a retired Air Force Colonel, had been playing regularly here. When I the restriction on guests went into effect, he

wanted to continue the golf friendships he had formed with Leisure Worlders and at the same time try to promote a golf course in Laguna Beach.

In concert with George Fowler, recreation director for Laguna Beach, the Laguna Beach Golf Association was formed. Each month, usually on the third Tuesday, they reserved tee times for a tournament on one of the public courses in Orange County, Riverside County, or San Diego County. In addition, semiannual, two-day tournaments that included wives and lady friends were held at nearby resorts. Singing Hills near EI Cajon has been especially popular. Chuck Kinder, of Best Golf Tours of Laguna Beach, arranged golf tours to various parts of the United States and Canada.

In the meanwhile, Lund and Fowler proposed to the city of Laguna Beach a city-owned golf course to be located in Laguna Canyon. The hue and cry of opposition from environmentalists was simply overwhelming and the city council voted down the proposal. Nevertheless, the golf association continued with its activities until a disastrous fire in 1995 burned down many homes in Laguna Beach, including that of the Lunds.

Not only did the Lunds lose their home, but nearly all of the records and equipment of the golf association were also destroyed. For 25 years the unofficial director of the association had been Jack Lund. After the fire, the Lunds faced the added difficulties of finding temporary housing, building a new home, and putting their lives back together. Though it was impossible for Jack Lund to continue as executive director of the association, a new director could not be found. With no other alternative, a final golf tournament was held at Tijeras Creek on March 27, 1995.

On the third Tuesday of the month, quite a number of Leisure World golfers had played in the Laguna Beach Golf Association tournaments. One foursome made up of Charles Hellmann, Bobby Gorevitz, Eli Lorins, and Ken Ellis (all of whom were former Laguna Hills club champions) started playing in 1984.

In 1986, Hellmann and Gorevitz won the two-man best ball tournament and were supposed to represent the LBGA playing against team winners from other clubs in Southern California.

One story has it that the application form required by tournament officials was not received by the Hellmann- Gorevitz team until it was too late to get them entered. When they called to inquire about not getting a confirmation, they were told that since they were tardy in sending in the application, the runner- up team had been accepted in their place.

Whether that version is totally correct or not, the incident led to some ill feelings. In addition, some of the golf courses that were being played by LBGA were not considered to be very interesting and it was not unusual for the tee times to be

delayed for as much as an hour as local players were sent out ahead of the Laguna Beach golfers. Since the cost was about $20 or more compared to the $3.50 greens fees at Leisure World, when the problem of driving for an hour or so in increasingly heavy traffic was considered, participation in the LBGA did not seem by some to be much of a bargain.

The Skins Game

In Leisure world, although Tuesdays were reserved for the Women's Clubs for their regular weekly tournaments, all the participants had generally teed off by 11 a.m. This left the courses virtually empty and available to other golfers from approximately noon on.

During the winter of 1986, the foursome of Hellmann, Gorevitz, Lorins, and Ellis began playing after the ladies had all teed off. This was fairly easy to arrange because Ken Ellis worked in the pro shop and knew when the course was available.

It is almost axiomatic that change is never simple in Leisure World. No sooner than the foursome had settled down to an established routine than other golfers wanted to participate. Eddie Malone, Jim Speckins, Mat Krasowski, Jack McCullough, Valley Voyles, Bill Friel, and others who enjoyed the fun and excitement of playing for skins, birdies, greenies, sandies and gorillas joined in the competition.

Most of these new additions were excellent golfers, so captains were selected by lot, and the captains chose the other members of their teams. Team play was augmented by individual play for skins, birdies, sandies, and gorillas (often referred to as garbage), collecting a quarter from all other players. Bob Hayes, whose physical problems prevented him from playing at a competitive level with the others, volunteered to be the liaison between players, collecting from the losers on each hole and paying the winners.

When only a couple of foursomes were involved, the liaison job was easy. As more players joined the game, it became more complicated to keep accounts straight. By the time four or five groups were playing, the bookkeeping became horrendous. When, for example, in a five-foursome game, a skin became worth $4.75, it was up to Bob to collect 19 quarters from the losers and give them to the winners. This was repeated for all of the other garbage pay-offs. It soon entailed a record-keeping system, plus having to make change as players ran out of quarters, that drove the liaison person to the edge of insanity.

The group then decided to have a score keeper in each foursome record birdies and sandies. Greenies and gorillas were identified by a tee through a piece of paper with the players name on it marking the position of the ball nearest the hole on the three par and five par holes. The last foursome picked up the markers and brought them in for pay- off.

At the end of play, the scorekeepers consolidated their scorecards, one hole at a time, to determine skins. As a winner was announced a shoebox was passed down the table and each loser contributed his quarter. The winner then collected the quarters from the box and counted them to be sure he had received his just rewards. It was a noisy, raucous, chaotic scene, but almost always fair and accurate. Golfers police themselves on the golf course as well as in pay-off It's hard to know what might have happened if someone had been caught cheating, because it never happened.

As time went on, players of lesser skills who enjoyed the social camaraderie of the game felt they were at a disadvantage because the long 'hitters could play the par five par holes easier than they could and had a better chance for making gorillas. In addition, handicaps, which are supposed to make golf I a fair' game for everyone, are ignored when everyone plays scratch (no handicaps). ,

Agitation for a different format became increasingly strident and was mostly directed to Bob Hayes. In addition, as approximately 20 men and their golf carts descended on the pro shop and snack bar prior to starting, they took up the parking spaces, along with the chairs and tables on the deck needed by the women golfers.

Confusion and conflict reigned. Some of the ladies were adamant that no men should be allowed anywhere near the golf course on Ladies Day. Equally adamant men pointed to the revenue lost when the ladies did not use all the potential starting times for their tournaments.

In order to play in the skins game, players had to telephone their intention to participate to the driving range attendant before 10:00 a.m. on the day of the game. Foursomes were then formed using those players who had called in. As might be expected, some of the ladies objected to the driving range being used as a booking agency. This added fuel to a fire that had been smoldering since 1988.

Finally, in 1991, Debbie Lamb convened representatives of the Men's and Women's club and the Golf Advisory Committee who worked out a solution.

The men were kept away from the pro shop, snack bar, and golf cart parking spaces until the last group of ladies had teed off on their final nine holes, and were two holes ahead.

The men accepted the rules, and then changed their game to a scramble format made up of at least one player from each handicap level. Each player contributed $25 to a common fund to be divided among the winning teams.

20% for the winners of the first nine holes. 20% for the winners of the second nine holes. 20% for the winners of the total 18 holes. 40% for the winners of the skins.

Birdies, sandies, greenies, and gorillas were eliminated. Instead of an individual competing against all other players, the game now became a team competition--a scramble format that retained the name skins game.

Some of the ·long time players objected to the change, maintaining that the scramble is nothing but a driving and putting contest, whereas the original format rewarded each person for his skill in a variety of shots. Additionally, the teams were made up of individuals of different handicap levels assigned by computer. Captains could not choose the golfers they wanted in their foursomes. They could be teamed with people they did not particularly like. Early in 1992, a few players split from the larger group to play original skins, birdies, sandies, greenies, and gorillas game. Meanwhile, participation in the scramble increased until as many as 10 or 11 four-and sometimes five-man teams competed weekly.

In 1995 an annual tournament and dinner-dance for skins game participants was scheduled for September. Participants paid $125, but people who played regularly in the game paid only $100.' This covered the cost of golf, food, drinks, music, prizes, and renting Clubhouse #6. Unlike the regular weekly game, numerous other prizes were awarded.

Interest in the weekly contest became so great, only a few golfers who played regularly continued their participation in the Laguna Beach Golf Association taking off from the skins game on Tuesday of the LBGA tournament. This continued until the LBGA disbanded in 1995.

However, the increased participation created new problems resulting in the need for a committee that could arbitrate the problems and make rules to govern the conduct of the games. Bernie Rosenstein organized the committee which was made up . of long-time participants who volunteered to serve.

In 1998 and 1999, a number of new residents of Leisure World joined in the game. Some of them carried low handicaps and became captains. The committee had no provisions for representatives from the new participants so Ron Hoover and Vern Smutz proposed a more formal organization. It consisted of a seven-member board made up of a chairman, a team assignment chairman, a treasurer, and four player representatives from the different handicap groups. A special concession provided for two representatives from the captains, and two from the players. Terms of service were suggested to be three years, staggered to assure that new players could serve. In October of 1999, the sitting committee accepted the proposal, and members who had been on the committee since its beginning promptly resigned to allow implementation.

Security Officers Golf Tournament

The Security Officers Golf Tournament was conceived by the Security Officers Club as an addition to their ongoing social activities. Under the guidance of the Security Club President Herman Batts, the first tournament was held in 1970 and was won by Gene Clevenger. The tournament was held annually for Security Officers Club members until 1976. That year, the Security Officers Club extended an invitation to the local area stations of the California Highway Patrol, Orange County Sheriffs Department and Orange County Fire Department which included paramedic and ambulance drivers.

Forty-three invitees and Club members participated in the 1976 Tournament. The popularity of the tournament has grown every year culminating in the 1999 tournament with 174 participants. Today, the tournament is an all-day affair that includes lunch, a shotgun golf tournament, a social hour, and an awards banquet.

Over the years, the tournament has served as an ongoing event which provides Laguna Woods an opportunity to thank the emergency organizations serving our community. It has also been a contributing factor to the improved relationship and cooperation between Laguna Woods Security and the outside emergency organizations.

Laguna Hills High School Golf Team

A spectator who happens to be at the golf clubhouse, standing at the rail on a Monday or Tuesday in September or October between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., will see a group of teenage boys or girls on the first tee. Laguna Hills High School Girls Golf Team plays on Monday, while the Boys Golf Team plays on Tuesdays.

Both teams use the Laguna Woods Golf Course as their home course for practice and league play in the CIF, Sea View League. The Boys Team began using our golf course in 1990 and won two League championships in the Pacific Coast League. In 1999, the team was assigned to compete in the Sea View League. The Girls Team began using the course in 1999.

Shoot- Your-Age

Even though shoot your age records were kept as early as 1971, it was Gale Charles MacMorris in his Hooks and Slices column in the 1990s who began calling attention to golfers who shot their age or better.

Something over 200 golfers In Leisure World have done that. More than 50 have shot their age ten or more times. Sixteen have shot their age more than 50 times,

nine have done so more than 100 times, and John Figeira at the age of 88, has an astonishing record of over 400 rounds equaling his age or better.

The youngest person to shoot his age not surprisingly shot the lowest score. That was Valley Voyles, a retired Air Force Colonel who, during his military career, flew with the Air Force Thunderbirds. Valley shot 64 when he was 64, but the records are not clear as to just when that occurred. The plaque in the golf course lounge credits him with the feat on 7117/77, but the record book puts the date at 1111 0/86. It seems reasonable to believe the latter date is the correct one since that would put his birth date as 1922.

The next lowest score of 66 was shot by Don Reed, former college golf coach of tour professional Mark O'Meara, in 1988 when Don was 70. The score of 67 was shot in 1979 by Albert Batecho, Bob Gregg, and Frank Eldridge, all of whom were 67 years old when they shot that score, and Eddie Malone, former White Sox catcher, in 1987 when he was 67.

Sub par rounds have been recorded 15 times by golfers 71 or younger, and par has been equaled 25 times by shoot- your-agers. But the statistic that gives the most hope to golfers who don't have the skills to shoot many par or sub-par scores is that of Fred Stark, Fred Campbell, Frank Duelks, and Corrine Pyle who were in their 90's and still shot their ages. Fred, Fred, and Frank had each shot their ages when they were 75. They continued in the next decade with Frank's score equaling his age over 100 times, Fred Campbell more than 185 and Fred Stark more than 80 .

Fred Campbell, Fred Abblett, Frank Duelks, Fred Stark, all 90 + years old have shot their age many times

In October, 1999 Fred Abblett came from Pennsylvania, by way of Vista, at age 94 with a 15 handicap. He shoots his age nearly every time he plays. If the 90- year-olds continue their barrage, the shoot-your-age chart will have to be revised every time they play. The chart was conceived by Kal Tobe, compiled by Vie Harris, and computerized by Jerry Gluck.

Holes- In-One

More than 60 golfers have made two or more holes-in-one on the Leisure World Courses. Two golfers, Tom McCauley, past president of 3rd Mutual, and Gale MacMorris, writer of Hooks and Slices, have made five each. Gale made four holes-in-one on the same hole, (17) two using a nine iron and two with an eight iron.

To date, well over 250 holes-in-one have been made on the courses. Apparently the courses began yielding them from the outset. Matjorie Jones reported that on opening day, Lloyd Accord, owner of Accords Market in Laguna Beach, offered to give $25 worth of fresh beef to any person who made a hole-in-one. Two were made, and the offer was never repeated.

Bea Lorins seems to have been the first woman golfer to score a hole-in- one. In September 1965, Bea hit a three iron on the 11th hole. It was foggy and neither she, her husband Eli, nor their playing companion Ben Sax could follow the ball. They knew only that it was heading for the green, but when they got there they found it in the cup.

On April 3, 1984, there were two holes in one made by women on the same day. Agnes Byrne and Bea Williams were the women involved. As unusual as that might be, the most unusual was a non-hole-in-one, hole-in - one. Jeannette Butler in April 1985 on the fourth hole of Course #3, whiffed the ball twice, then hit it into the hole on the next shot for a hole-in-one par.

As often as holes-in-one occur, they are still rare, happening on average only one in every 3,000 rounds. At nearly every major tournament held on the Laguna Woods courses, at least two sponsors offer prizes ranging from a set of golf clubs to a golf cart, to new automobiles for holes-in-one. To this date, only one sponsor has had to give away the prize offered. Kathy Beilstein, manager of the Coldwell Banker Real Estate office of Laguna Hills playing as a guest of Betty Kolstoe in the member- guest tournament in May of 1999, aced the 17th hole with an eight iron. She won a set of golf clubs and a pull cart from Nevada Bob's. None of the sponsors has given away either a car or a golf cart.

In the records book kept by the men's and women's golf clubs, the typical month has only three or four holes-in- one entries, with one or two more during the summer months of peak play. The source chart used in this narrative was conceived and compiled by Jerry Gluck. The women's records are on a plaque in the Pro Shop Lounge. Neither source records holes-in-one made on the three- par Leisure Course.

Saddleback College Golf Team

One of the highlights of each year is the annual golf match pitting the Laguna Hill's Men's Golf Team against the Saddleback College Golf Team. The initial competition dates back to 1988 when ten single match-play contests were held.

The Laguna Hills team competed with their full handicap while the collegians played at scratch. Because of the dominance of the Laguna Hills team the full handicap of each golfer was reduced to 80% in the 199p match. Even with 80% handicap the Laguna Hills team has dominated the competition.

Unfortunately, no permanent records have been kept of these matches. Much of the support and success of this rivalry is attributed to Bill Cunerty, coach of the Saddleback College Golf Team.

Golf Advisory Committee

Implementing new ideas or change of policy in Laguna Woods Men's Golf Club is the same as anything else in Laguna Woods: you must know how the system works. The Golf Advisory Committee is where the system starts for golf

Change in greens fees, improvements in the golf course, complaints about the condition of the golf course are a few of the issues addressed initially by the Golf Advisory Committee. The Committee's responsibility is to reject, modify or accept suggestions. Recommendations by the Golf Advisory Committee are referred to the Community Activities Committee (CAC) for their approval. Once approved by the CAC, the recommendation is moved to the Finance Committee for funding and the Maintenance and Construction Committee for design approval. All committee approvals and/or recommendations are approved, mediated or rejected by the Golden Rain Foundation Board of Directors. The Golf Advisory Committee can and does implement suggestions that have no financial, maintenance or construction considerations.

The existence of the Golf Advisory Committee can be traced back to 1973 when it was evident that golfers needed to have their advice and grievances heard. The Committee was assembled by the P.C.M. Recreation Director at that time and included representatives of the men's and women's golf clubs. As new clubs were created the composition of the Committee changed. As we go into the new millennium the Committee consists of chairman, three members from the Men's 18-Hole Club, two members each from the Women's 18- Hole, the Men's 9-Hole and the Women's 9-Hole Golf Clubs. P.C.M. staff members on the Committee are:

Director of Golf Operations, Golf Maintenance Manager and the Recreation Director.

The Bridge

During the week of September 23, 1993, Smith's Foods of Utah bought the land adjacent to the driving range. Their announced intention was to build a grocery super market. To accomplish this, they needed an access road that would allow trucks to deliver groceries to the rear of the building entering from Moulton across from Gate 12: the same area used by those with golf carts to go from the driving range to the golf course and back.

On September 2, 1993, Margaret a 'Keefe had been struck in her golf cart by a car whose driver apparently ran a red light. Fortunately Margaret wasn't hurt very badly even though her golf cart was destroyed. This was only one of a series of incidents of hits and near misses that highlighted the danger of that crossing.

Anticipating that the situation would only become more serious, Smiths agreed to build a bridge to be used by golf carts to cross Moulton safely at Gate 12. The bridge was to be 300 feet long, ·10 feet wide- and rise 18 feet above the street Enclosed with wire mesh, metal gates would control access at each end. The cost was projected to be $450,000, to be paid by Smiths.

In return, Smiths would be granted an access road on the south end of the driving range (toward El Toro Road) on a lease agreement of $10,000 a year for seven years. Protests began the moment the plans were announced. The injustice of having' a bridge built for the exclusive use of a few golfers with carts prompted James Michael and 240 supporters on April 7, 1994 to ask the County Commissioners for a hearing to halt the construction. On April 14, the commissioners refused to hold a hearing, contending this was an internal matter and, therefore, a private problem .' Meanwhile, also on April 14, G.RF. had agreed to a contingency cash settlement of $635,000 even if the bridge were not built. The controversy continued throughout the summer of 1994, but when Smiths postponed the construction of the new store, the matter of the bridge became moot.

The proposal for a new golf course (subsequently named Aliso Viejo) on land in the Rossmoor Business Park (the greenbelt) adjacent to Gate 14 surfaced in the summer of 1995. G.RF. found itself in the middle of the discussions because various parcels of land were zoned differently, and the stables, RY. lot, maintenance center parking lot, garden and compost area were involved.

Paul Donnelly, the company that planned to build the golf course and resort in conjunction with the AMH company of Newport Beach, wanted to work with just one entity. G.RF. wanted to preserve the open space.

After months of negotiations G.RF. bought 128 acres of land from Rossmoor Partners and 20 acres from the El Toro water district for $3 million. They then sold

123 acres for $1.6 million to AMH for a golf course and resort development with the stipulation the land would remain open space in perpetuity. For the remaining 25 acres there has been no plan to sell the land.

Just east of Gate 14, the addition of Home Depot, Stater Brothers, and Rite Aid Drugs, along with several smaller stores, has made the adjoining land owned by Leisure World more valuable and simultaneously increased the desirability of the Smith parcel across El Toro Road to the North.

In November 1999, work began on developing construction bases for the Polygon Laguna Woods project on the property that had been slated for Smith? s Food grocery. Once again the bridge became an issue. In September 1996, the firm of Richardson, Nagy, and Martin of Newport Beach, in anticipation of Moulton becoming a "smart street," was asked to present two plans for the beautification of Gate 12. One plan included the bridge; the other did not. When the plans were reviewed on November 25, 1999, it was made clear that if a bridge were to be included, it would be built to benefit not only golfers, but also pedestrians, bicyclists, and the handicapped.

Part of the plan called for the addition of five new tennis courts and the realignment of the driving range to face north. G.R.F. authorized $3.2 million for that development, immediately precipitating a protest movement led by John Lathrop.

When construction started December 1999, golfers had to use a new temporary cart path that shifted entry from Gate 7 to a gate at the end of cul de sac 306 off Via Serena South. The new temporary gate opened at 5: 3 0 a. m. and closed at 5:30 p.m. daily. This inconvenience to the golfers proved to be insignificant compared with the problems faced by the tennis players.

Since the construction would take outA two tennis courts, Laguna Hills High School was approached with a request seeking the use of the school tennis courts for Leisure World players. The request J was rebuffed with the explanation that "those courts are for young people." Approached a second time, and provided a fuller explanation of the circumstances with the reminder that the High School Golf Team had been welcome guests at the Laguna Woods golf courses since 1994, the school reconsidered and allowed Leisure World players to use the courts at Laguna Hills High School from 7:00 a.m. to noon on Mondays through Fridays.

The bridge may yet be built, but probably not before Moulton becomes a "smart street" in about the year 2005. In the meantime, golfers will enjoy new practice facilities, a new driving range, and a new and improved pro shop. As in the past, progress has resulted in measurable improvements in the golf facilities in Leisure World. It appears this will be the case again.

Perspective

The thirty-five years of golf in Leisure World, Laguna Woods, has been notable for the dedication of the participants. In that span, approximately 4200 weekly tournaments have been scheduled and run by golfers in the four clubs. Additionally, about 1250 major tournaments were held by them, and, perhaps, another hundred special tournaments were put on, beginning with the inaugural tournament of September 11,1965.

This total of more than 5500 events has been made possible through the efforts of volunteers who have worked cooperatively to make each tournament a success.

In such a climate of selfless relationships it would seem difficult to imagine any controversy. Yet nearly every innovation or change has been preceded by controversy. Early on, methods for selecting players for the home and away tournaments were criticized. The proposal to charge greens fees, the purchase of the courses, rebuilding the greens, users fees vs. shared costs financing, methods of determining tee times, the requiring of J.D. cards with pictures, the initiation of a dress code, lengthening the holes to exceed a cumulative 6000 yards, and building a bridge across Moulton, each has been the catalyst for controversy.

At the advent of a new millennium, the plan to build a new administration building on land west of Moulton with the subsequent relocation of the golf practice facilities and the redesigning of Gate 12, has again generated adherents for the pros and cons of the project.

Tracy Strevey who arranged to buy the Courses & Jack Pas, first Club President

Those in favor of the changes point to the inadequacies of the present administration building: age, limited space, inadequate parking, antiquated plumbing and wiring, asbestos insulation, the space and facilities needs of city I government, the marketing advantage of a modem headquarters; adding up to the conclusion that it is economically

prudent to build a new building. The fact that site preparation will be done by the buyers of the what was to be Smith's Grocery property and that the bridge probably necessitated by Moulton becoming a "smart street" would be built to provide a safe crossing for golfers, pedestrians, and people with physical disabilities, the opportunity to put in much needed tennis courts and other recreational facilities and build new and better practice areas for golfers, are additional arguments bolstering their position of the wisdom for change.

Those who oppose the project point to the undesirable additional rise in already high monthly maintenance and facilities costs. They plead the hardship of residents on fixed incomes who have seen their retirement nest eggs eroded by the rising costs of living and increasing medical and medicine requirements associated with aging. They raise the specter of people who have devoted as many as three decades of their lives and energies to the welfare of Leisure World, being forced out of their manors by unwarranted spending on Gate 12 beautification and an unnecessary administration building. But overall, they prefer the original Leisure World headquarters off of EI Toro, to the new location off of Moulton where traffic problems show promise of becoming increasingly difficult.

Perhaps as Laguna Woods golfers enter the year 2000, it is well to recall that the history of change in golf activities and facilities in the first 35 years have invariably led to a better venue and increased enjoyment for all who live here and use them. And perhaps it is well to recognize that improvements in any of the Leisure World's common facilities enhance the value of each owner's personal manor.

If the past does, indeed, presage the future, there is every assurance that this controversy will be resolved. The community will face the future stronger for having weathered it and golf facilities will be measurably improved.

CHRONOLOGY OF GOLF IN LEISURE WORLD

September 11, 1964 Opening of the original 18-hole Golf Course. No Greens fees

March 1965 Laguna Hills Men's Golf Club formed

April 1965 First home and away tournament with Seal Beach

Spring 1965 Home and away tournament with Sun City

April 1965 Laguna Hills Women's Golf Club formed with 36 members

September 12, 1965 First mixer hosted by Women's Golf Club. Scotch Twosome format

January 22, 1967 Two Marine Corps jets crash in Leisure World.

Summer 1967 Greens fees of $1.00 implemented

1969 Third nine holes commissioned by Ross Cortese-total of 27 holes

July 1, 1971 First Hooks and Slices Putter Patter columns appear in Leisure World News

Summer 1976 Golden Rain Foundation buys 27 -hole golf courses from Rossmoor

April 16, 1979 Three par Leisure Course opened RF purchases the nine-hole course

1981 Golf Advisory Committee formed.Becomes Golf Advisory Board later

January 1983 First Men's President's Ball held in Clubhouse 5

November 1983 Women's Nine-hole Golf Club formed

1984 Greens rebuilding begun with 6, 10, 18

June 1, 1985 Policy of 65/35% golf financing adopted in principle by GRF

May 1987 First Saddleback College Golf team tournament with Leisure World. Won by Leisure World

June 10, 1905 With the completion of hole # 7, all the greens on courses 1 &2 were rebuilt

June 11, 1905 GR~ abolished 65/35 financing

June 12, 1905 Concerned Owner Resident Committee sues for preferential tee times

November 1, 1990 1.0. cards with pictures required

January 1, 1991 Replacement of irrigation system and waste water treatment plant becomes fully operational

February 1, 1991 Tee markers relocated so course exceeds 6000 yards

March 1, 1992 First home and away tournament with Rancho San Joaquin

July 30, 1992 Dress code adopted

February 4, 1993 Smith's Grocery plan sparks bridge controversy

June 3, 1993 Bob Vogel new Manager of Golf

September 1, 1994 Golfers encouraged to wear soft spikes

February 2, 1995 Men's Nine-Hole Golf Club formed

March 1, 1995 Final Laguna Beach tournament held at Tijeras Creek

November 1, 1995 Concrete cart paths begun

May. 1996 Aliso Viejo course begun

January 1, 1997 Golf channel on TV okayed

March 12, 1998 Moulton planned as a "smart Street"

September 12, 1998 Woman's Golf Club opens membership to twelve month lessees

March 4, 1999 Leisure World, Laguna Hills, becomes the city of Laguna Woods

May 1, 1999 Aliso Viejo Golf Course designed by Jack Nicklaus opens. A week later Ed Donovan, Marshall, killed when his golf cart rolls over.

July 2, 1999 EI Toro Marine Base closes

Fall 1999 Driving range closes to make way for construction of the Polygon Laguna Woods Project and new driving range to open in the year 2000.

February 20,2000 Bill Carey, Club president, dies in office Bob Snyder becomes interim president