We had 90 of the LAFD’s finest active and retired golfers at the Sycuan Resort in El Cajon for the LAFD Golf Club Annual Partners Championship. As per the usual we had our LAFD Golf Club annual membership meeting following the first day of golf at Steele Canyon that included a great barbeque lunch.
This year we were treated to some extremely high temperatures and humidity. On Tuesday we woke up to temps that would eventually reach 104 degrees accompanied by a terrific storm that blew through with about have of the field still on the course. These was rain, hail, winds up to 30 plus miles per hour, and some incredible thunder and lightning. Play had to stop with the electrical storm, but our players were able to get back on the course once it stopped. Luckily there was only one minor mishap during the downpour. One twosome was blinded by the rain and bumped into a tree, with the tree winning handily. No injuries were reported, but an accident report was made by the former engineer that was driving.
We play two-man teams in three different formats, on three different courses, in four handicapped flights. The three formats played were: scramble played at Steele Canyon Country Club, best-ball played at Sycuan Resorts Oak Glen course and Pinehurst (modified alternate shot) played at Sycuan Resorts Willow Glen course. It is a true team format in that you are really relying on the good play of your partner. For those of you that are prospective members, this is considered by the membership as our best tournament of the year.
In the “A” flight the team of Paul Schori and Rick Shortle made their first appearance at the championship in a couple of years. They apparently weren’t very rusty as they won by four strokes over the 2nd place team of Ladd Stilson and Randy Yslas.
In the “B” flight the team of the brothers Garcia, Rick and Carlos, started with an opening round of 55 and ran away with the win.
In the “C” flight the team of Joe Luna and Buddy Pacheco edged their closest competitors of Mickey Diaz and Tom Teora when Buddy made an eagle on their final hole of the day to win by .8 strokes. Mickey and Tom won this flight last year.
In the “D” flight new members Rex Vilaubi and Paul Croghan just squeaked by Joe Vigil and Russ Barnes by a mere .2 stokes.
The second day of the tournament provides some real entertainment at the Horse Race Derby. This format is made up of the six leading teams in each flight. The remainder of the field, and the participants, then make parimutuel bets on their picks of the best teams. This year the “A and B” flight and the “C and D” flight played in four man teams. In the “A and B” flight Allan Black, Jim Meacham, and Rick and Carlos Garcia came out on top. In the “C and D” flight the team of Rex Vilaubi, Paul Croghan, Buddy Pacheco, and Joe Luna were the winners. As you can see in the final results below, Rex and Paul had quite a tournament.
This year we made a bit of a comeback with the number of players. I think we lost of few players due to the engineer’s promotional test, but here’s hoping that those that couldn’t make it this year will make it back next year. Also, if you younger ones had as good a time as I think you did, then, I hope you spread the word and get more players next year.
I would like to thank the board members for all of their help during the tournament. And I would like to thank Dale Gant, Mike Monroy, Brad Grossman, and Greg Gibson for their assistance with the Horse Race Derby.
The club would like to thank Alan Sheer of Steele Canyon Golf Course, Jason Schneider of Sycuan Resort and Kevin Wright of Morgan Stanley for their generous donations for our raffle at the annual membership meeting.
Lastly, a big thank you to Larry Whiting who, in the past has made a number of donations, this year donated $500 in support of our golf club. I look forward to seeing Larry back on the course again this year.
Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to the members for supporting this tournament that celebrated its 41st year. A good time was had by all and I hope to see you again next year.
by Secretary Noel Murchet
