Faculty/Staff Tournament (48th annual)
Poppy Ridge (Chardonnay & Zinfandel Courses)
10th Event and 3rd Major of 2003 Season 
Friday, June 13, 2003

Give a man two trophies and a beer and this is what you get. Dave Lozow won his first low gross major. He also won the hearts of fans everywhere, however we couldn't locate any.

One day after shooting a lights-out 74 while competing in the Associate Club Championships, Dave Lozow shot a 77, the day's lowest score, at Poppy Ridge to capture the overall low gross Faculty/Staff President's Trophy. This was Dave's first individual Major. (Dave and Barry Woods had paired up to win the 2-Ball Championship last year at Tilden Park) Finishing tied for 2nd place with scores of 79 were John Robertson and defending champion Steve Desimone. Pity is all we can offer Jim Peretti. He took a 5-over par 10 on Zinfandel's 5th hole and still turned in an 81. The 10 involved lots of sand and impossible lies, or so he said. With a par on that hole he would have won the President's Cup. But then again, what's worse, losing by many strokes, or just missing by just 1 or 2 strokes? Had he taken a 7 on the hole, he still would have lost, so no need to get too worked up over it, Jim.

In the Net Division, returning from a long battle with a back injury and participating in his very first event of the 2003 season, Dennis Smith shot a blistering 83 (net 64) to capture the Chancellor's Trophy. For Dennis, it was a 5-stroke runaway victory. This was Dennis' second major. Dennis won the Kooman Boycheff Tournament in 1996. The next lowest net score was an 88 (net 69) turned in by Scott Meredith.

As for the U.C. Golf Club Trophy, Ralph Hill won with an 82 (net 71). Finishing behind Ralph were Robert "Thank GOD he's going away to college soon" Desimone with an 82 (net 73), and John Roberston, with a 79 (net 74). Robert has played in only three events this season, and has won twice and finished second in the third. We'll have to start calling him "Robert Zeller". Robert will soon be heading off to Northern Michigan University where he will be playing on the University's Golf Team. His cross-country move will greatly sadden all the members of the second flight. 

Perhaps one of the funniest moments of the day occurred just prior to the raffle. Steve was addressing the crowd, and near euphoric over the condition of the course and the excellent food, Steve asked for a raise of hands on how many would favor a return to Poppy Ridge for Friday Faculty/Staff events. It was nearly a unanimous hand-raising. Then he called for hands who disliked the idea. Charlie Flowers briefly raised his hand, but then thought better of it and sheepishly lowered it again. Charlie hadn't played too well this time around, but Charlie shouldn't be too upset, for in 2001, that last time we'd played Poppy Ridge, he placed 2nd in the second flight.

Big winners in the raffle were John Robertson and Robert Desimone, who each won really great golf bags. Dennis Smith also won a huge prize, a nights stay at the Claremont Hotel, with all the perks! Todd Podoll also hit it big winning a certificate good for a free round of mini-golf at the Scandia Family Fun Center in Suisun. This will give Todd a good opportunity to break 90.

Through five holes, Yu-Chie Lin doubtless had the lowest net score on the course. With 19 strokes coming his way, he was still at even par. The sixth hole, however, was his undoing. It took three shots to get free of the deep greenside bunker on Chardonnay #6. Adding to that frustration, he encounter sand on the next two holes as well. Sadly, some days the magic just comes to an abrupt end. 

Mark Steppan, normally a major threat for any low gross event, turned in a wicked 88. A generous offer was made, a couple dollars for no mention of this high score on the web site, but Mark passed on it. Let this serve as a lesson to all members shooting outrageously high scores. Oh yeah, one other thing. Larry Smith actually played in a tournament. Appearances by Larry are more rare than Haley's Comet.

One more thing, A debt of thanks to Ryan Tabibian for being such a great sport about being bumped down in the schedule. In order to accommodate another golfer, Ryan allowed himself to be bumped, and had to wait around an extra hour before he could tee off. Thanks, Ryan!

News Currents:

Martha Stewart was indicted last week for obstruction of justice, perjury, and securities fraud. Is she being unfairly singled out for a common crime? Is she the victim of a male-wing conspiracy? Can you really build a home entertainment center out of Popsicle sticks and a bottle of Elmer’s Glue? No one knows the answers to any of these questions, but the case is likely going to receive much more publicity than any of us care for.

Robert Desimone is going away to college. Members of the second flight will greatly miss him. Robert led overall low gross by one stroke at the turn, shooting a 37 on the front nine.

Jim Peretti getting ready.

Dave Webb warms up with a small bucket.

Russell Greenwood takes a few practice putts.

John Robertson stares down a wayward practice putt. Most balls wisely heed his wishes.

Jack King nailed a meaningless 50-foot putt on the practice green. Jack placed 4th in the fourth flight.

Laid off for nearly 4 months with a back injury, Dennis Smith returned with very low expectations. This was only his 4th round since recuperating. He appears to have made a full recovery, shooting an 83 (net 64). Here Dennis warms up on the range.

Dennis' opening drive.

Dave Lozow's opening drive.

Jim Peretti on #1.

Steve Sanguinetti on the first tee. Steve wanted to see a picture of him doing something other than teeing of on the first hole. Be careful what you wish for, Steve...

Here Steve takes a drop after dunking one on the 11th hole.

Defending U.C. Golf Club Trophy winner, Chad Carey tees off.

This is a tremendously rare photo. It's member Larry Smith. This is only about his third tournament in four years. With a mug like that, perhaps it's a good thing.

Eddie Reed didn't win any trophies. He might have won best-dressed, had such a contest taken shape.

The fearsome Grizzly Pack! Watch out for these old bears! Staring us down are Yun Akinaga, Jack King, Boyd McCaslin, and Lloyd Crenna.

The Grizzlies gather into a huddle on the first tee. These guys are a crafty lot!

Yun Akinaga, with Mt. Diablo in the background. (Take note Steve Obana. Yes,  Mt. Diablo is the large object on our local horizon.)

Yun hits a solid drive on #1.

Don Wade takes a few practice swipes...

...then crushes his opener.

Jack King follows his opening drive.

Boyd McCaslin takes his cut on #1.

Jerry Powell appears to be praying to the golf gods to grant him a decent round during this very special event. In fact Jerry is only stretching his back. This is a pity, because he might have faired better had he actually paid homage to the golf gods.

Ralph Hill follows his approach shot to the 1st hole. Ralph's net 71 was the day's best round by a non-UC-affiliated member. 

The last time we played Poppy Ridge Charlie Flowers was two holes away from shooting a net 60, before he stumbled into the clubhouse with a net 66. This time, Charlie's troubles began early, and never really ceased.

Paul Higaki was also not playing up to his usual standard.

Stacey Mackey had a strong start, but then his game slipped.

Yoch Lin jumps out of his shoes on the second hole. Yoch, with 19 strokes, was at even par through 5 holes, and doubtless was leading the tournament. On the sixth hole Yoch found some serious sand trouble. 

Here on #2 Yoch analyzes a very makable birdie putt.

Yoch missed the birdie by a fraction of an inch.

By the time he got to the 12th hole Yoch was very relaxed. All the pressure was off.

Yoch Lin dealt some fury into his shot at #16. For the standard large version, click on the image above. Or, click here for the super-sized version of this great photo. The expensive wide-angle lens was less than a foot from the ball

Tomn Furtado on the scenic 2nd hole of Zinfandel (our 11th hole).

Tom reacts to his sand shot on Zinfandel's 5th hole. The ball nearly went into the cup.

Tom on Zin #7. This photo may be super-sized.

Stacey Mackey plucks this one from the rough on Zin#3.

Stacey on Zin#7. This photo may be super-sized.

Gary Vollen in Zinfandel #5.

Larry Smith on Zinfandel #5.

Scott Meredith wills in this hanger of a putt on #15. Scott shot a net 69, the second-lowest net score of the day

Defending low gross champion, Steve Desimone ran into trouble early. He never recovered from his 42 on the front nine. 

Actually he did recover, he turned in a 37 on the back, but it just wasn't enough.

The most feared perspective on the course: passenger to Jim Peretti's driving. 

Dave Lozow's approach at #17.

Defending low net champion, Aaron Walburg, had a roller-coaster round, but he played admirably and took lots of fine photos. Yoch Lin actually snapped this photo on Zinfandel #7. This photo can be super-sized. Jim Peretti also took many fine photos, several of which grace this page.

Aaron on Zin #8.

This was perhaps the nicest photo. It's Yoch Lin chipping up on #18.

Jim Peretti multi-tasking. He can also rub his tummy while patting his head.

Here is another one of those extremely rare photographs. It's Mike Armstrong drinking a beer. This is such a rare occurrence that it's a miracle we were able to get this photo.

Robert Desimone has his eyes on the Skunk Head cover prize. This would eventually be won by Boyd McCaslin.

Also high on people's raffle wish-list were the new golf bags.

Loads of prizes made this one of the best-ever raffles.

The non-perpetual trophies for Low Gross, Low Net, and UCGC (low net for members unaffiliated with the university).

Ralph Hill won the UCGC trophy. Here he tries unsuccessfully to walk away with the low gross trophy.

Dave Lozow gets a high-five from Mike Armstrong, while accepting the President's Trophy.

John Robertson with his new golf bag.

Dave Lozow wins a round of golf at the Silverado Country Club. It was a big day for Dave.

It was also a very big day for Boyd McCaslin, who won an assortment of attractive head covers.

Steve and Mike prepare to give away the day's big prize, a deluxe stay at the Claremont Hotel. Dennis Smith proved to be the big winner.

Dennis Smith is back in a big way. He had a HUGE day. He won the Low Net Trophy, and the right to engrave and maintain the Perpetual trophy. He also hit it big in the raffle, winning a night's stay in the Claremont Hotel, with all the amenities. No one will likely ever have so much golfing success in a single day.

Complete Flight Results:

* - Must be UC affiliated (student, staff, or alumni)
** - Low Net for non-UC affiliated players

Overall Low Gross:

Overall Low Net:

Standard Flights: