Golfers play on despite weather

The March rains tried their best to throw a hook at the Sonoma Men’s Golf Association, as each time they attempted to play Petaluma’s Rooster Run Golf Club, heavy rains were forecast and left the group moving the event to the following week, only to see the same forecast arrive.

Finally, on March 20, the club threw haste to the rain and went ahead and tried their best against the conditions and the golf course. Leading the way in the net division was longtime member Pat Connolley, who carded a very impressive round of 65. One shot back was Roger Rannikar with a 66 while Martin Bajuk carded a 69. Mike Lucas grabbed fourth place with a 71 while Jesus Gutierrez’s 73 was good enough for a fifth place finish. In the gross division, Phil Rollins’ 79 was good enough for a one-shot win over Steve Lanning, who carded an 80.

In the closest-to-the-pin action, Woody Von Lackum’s shot to 12 feet, 5 inches was the best on the 139-yard 6th hole. Tony Enz was almost buying drinks after a very impressive shot on the difficult eighth, his shot stopping just 1-foot, 8-inches from the cup on the 166-yard hole. Mick Burrows joined the party on the 11th, with his approach to 3 feet, 1 inch from 148-yards, while Connolley showed why he was at the top of the leaderboard, hitting his shot to 5 feet on the 130-yard 15th. The club returns to action on April 3, as they travel to the historic Aetna Springs Golf Course in Pope Valley.

Before the rains started, the Sonoma Valley Golf Club was able to get out and play their event at Eagle Vines Golf Club in Napa. In the 1st Flight, Bob Nadell walked away the winner with a round of 70. This was one shot ahead of John Radican, while Pavel Janosko and Marc Sylvester fought it out for third place with scores of 72, before Janosko claimed the card-off.

The 2nd Flight saw Bill Powers and Herb Seidell both fire rounds of 68 before Powers won the card-off, meanwhile Tom Culligan’s 72 was good enough for third place while Barry Robertson’s 73 gave him fourth. In the 3rd Flight, scores were tightly bunched, with John Fanucchi taking home the top-spot with his 72. Ralph Giancaspro and Don Richards both carded rounds of 73 before a card-off saw Giancaspro grab second and Richards settle for third. John Long rounded out the top-four with his round of 74.

In the closest-to-the-pin competitions, playing from the White Tees, Bob Nadell found his ball 35 feet, 5 inches on the second hole, which was the best of the day. Ron Sharek joined the party on the fifth, hitting his shot to 22 feet, 11 inches. Nadell showed the second hole was no fluke, also claiming the 14th with an almost identical distance, 35 feet, 3 inches this time around. No one was able to find the green on the tricky 16th.

From the Gold Tees, Kevin Austin hit a very good shot into the second, his ball coming to rest 8 feet, 5 inches from the hole. Bob Leal liked the fifth, hitting his shot to 14 feet, 3 inches. Thirteen feet, 11 inches was good enough for Barry Robertson on the 14th, while Marty Martindale claimed the 16th with a shot to 25 feet 7 inches. Playing from the Red Tees, Gerry Orme conquered the second with a shot to 13 feet, 6 inches. Jim Olson’s shot to 14 feet, 3 inches on the fifth was good enough for a win, while Fanucchi continued his winning ways with a shot to 44 feet, 10 inches on the 14th. Avoiding the water that guards the 16th, Leo McMillan had his ball stop 19 feet, 4 inches away, good enough to take away the prize.

Sixty-seven players headed back out to Eagle Vines Golf Club on a warm and sunny St. Patrick’s Day to compete in the club’s annual two-man scramble. Leading the way was the team of Don Steffen and Steve Stimel, who had an impressive 52.5 total. Kit Wood and Tom Reynolds came in a close second with a 53 total, while Bob Ford and Mike Cox grabbed third with a 54. Ron Sharek and Hugh McNeilly’s 54.5 total was good enough for fourth while John Stuart and Ron Macaluso needed a card-off with Dale Charles and Jerry Marino to claim fifth with a score of 55. The closest to the pin prizes were taken home by Tom Jinks on the second hole, Mike Purvis on the fifth, Charles on the 14th and John Muncy on the 16th.

Monday, May 2, will see the annual Presentation School Golf Tournament. After a two-year hiatus at Eagle Vines Golf Club in Napa, the tournament returns to Sonoma Golf Club for 2016. For more information, or to sign up, visit presentationschool.com.

Also being hosted at Sonoma Golf Club is the annual Willie P Tournament to support Meals on Wheels in Sonoma.

The event will take place on Monday, May 23, and is $190 a player ($210 after May 1). The event gets underway with a breakfast and bloody Mary bar at 8:30 a.m. at the Town Square.

The driving range and putting green opens at 10 a.m., while the tournament gets underway at 11:30 a.m. with a shotgun start. No Host Bar, appetizers and dinner will follow at the Swiss Hotel around 4 p.m. where the prize giving will take place as well as raffles and other contests.

For more info, or to sign up, go to williepmemorialgolf.com.