Golfers navigate rain-soaked course, earning points and bragging rights

Guy Dossi/Calaveras Enterprise file photo

After a few days of rain, senior golfers engaged in a contest of bogey points on March 25 at La Contenta Golf Club in Valley Springs.

Due to wet fairways, golfers using carts were confined to cart paths only. This restriction resulted in so much walking that several seniors were put in traction after the round. To spot the losers, one just had to listen to how they responded to their poor effort: “It was a beautiful day,” “A great day to be on the course,” and, “Winners were too busy counting their treasure to notice if the sun was even out.”

In the white tees flight, retired electrician Russ Hart administered quite a shock, as he lit up the course with the most points of the day (43). Narrowly in second was Ken Jones, who had his best round ever as a senior. Jones, who serves as a security guard for the Crown Prince, now needs his own security after his performance. Mike Mendoza, who tied for the low-gross score with James Shephard (82), earned third-place loot. Ron Basset won fourth-place money as well as making the shot-of-the-day (5 feet) to win the closest-to-the-hole on No. 13. Retired contractor Dave Mullen, who hits the roof over a bad shot, took fifth. Retired accountant Shephard, whose motto is, “Be audit you can be,” garnered sixth. Rounding out the winners was newbie Roberto Rivera, who finished seventh.

In the gold tees flight, senior statesman Ken Phillips took advantage of his handicap and placed first. Retired cattle rancher Dan Borges came from back in the pack to gain second. A three-way tie ensued for third amongst Jim Sickler, Gary Stockeland, and fashion plate Ray Pezzi. You are advised not to look at Pezzi’s outfits if you’re prone to migraines.

In the red tees flight, Steve Weyrauch demonstrated why he is the best player, as he won by eight strokes over his father figure, George Dillon. Dillon doesn’t pout; he just contemplates getting even.

In the closest-to-the-hole contest on No. 2 from the golds, the quiet Frank Elizondo placed first. Norm Miley, who commutes to the tournaments with Pezzi, was second. It’s unknown if they spoke on the way home. From the whites, Mendoza completed a big payday as he took first over Mullen.

In the contest on No. 13 from the golds, Pezzi won all the money. From the whites, Hart took second. From the reds, Earl Watkins won all the money, being the only one to hit the green as no one landed on No. 2. After making three hole-in-ones last year, he constructed a shrine in his front yard. If you get a chance, drive by his house to see it. It is quite impressive.