Las Positas
2nd Event of 2003 Season 
Saturday, December 14, 2002

John Robertson follows Eddie Reed's opening shot.

Due to the rain shortened tournament the Las Positas results had to be listed as “unofficial” until the board had a chance to decide whether or not to accept the results. A few weeks after the tournament the board decided to let stand the Las Positas results, with full GOY points and prizes awarded. Adding to the dilemma, the golf course would not make a refund because most of our groups completed 18 holes and had we not used those tee times there would have been others to fill those times. Most people felt that reducing the event to 9-holes was fair, still the board needed to make the call, and unanimously, to let stand the results.

Jerry was the first person on the day to remark on the appearance of a shadow. This was cause for bourgeoning hopes of tournament completion. Aside from the zany weather, perhaps the biggest story of the day was Jerry Powell placing third in his flight. It's been a very long time since Jerry has placed in an event. So long, in fact, that extensive research had to beconducted. The last time Jerry placed top three in a monthly tournament was when he won third flight 5 1/2 years ago on May 3, 1997 at Oakmont West. And the stretch includes at least 40 consecutive events. This is certain to be a UCGC record. For ending his long dry spell let's all give Jerry a big round of applause!

Chad Carey leans into a stiff gust. The wind was by far the biggest obstacle this day. Eventually the rain brought play to a standstill, but the wind was constant throughout. It wasn't uncommon to see players pull out of their stance in order to re-establish balance.

Barry Woods had the day's second best net score, at 40 (net 33.5). Conditions were rough. Only three players finished the front nine with scores below net par. Bob Sternbach had the day's most impressive performance with his 42 (net 30.5), Barry had the next best score and Russell Greenwood's 45 (net 35) was the day's only other score below net par. For Bob, it was his first victory in several years.

Glenda Goode remaining upright during a vicious gust. Ominous clouds capped an otherwise sunny day. The weather would only hold out for about four hours.

Steve Obana has been on a tear since opening day of the 2003 season. He won at Windsor and placed second at Las Positas with a 41 (net 36). He almost placed first but was edged by .66 strokes in a tie-breaker against Jeff Bordalampe. Steve is in a tie with Steve Desimone for Golfer of the Year.

Ron Gallagher completed all 18 holes in spite of the weather. 

Jeff Bordalampe fired a 42 (net 36) and won the second flight. Jeff rejoined the club after taking a break for a few years. 

John Bordalampe (Jeff's son) played in his first event and placed 2nd in the blind bogey flight. Unlike Jeff, who won a narrow tie-breaker, John was nipped by Randy Miller in a tie breaker. Gross score is the tie-breaker in the blind bogey flight.

Dave Chia came to play. Few were as well-equipped to take on the weather. Dave's 46 (net 38) earned him a 2nd place finish in the fourth flight.

John Robertson posted an impressive 40 (net 38) but was edged in a tie-breaker for 3rd place by Greg Kramp. 

New member David Wherritt chips on at #5. 

Andrew Kang chuckles as leaves race across the green and tremendous gusts overtaking Jerry Powell's putt at hole #5.

Russell Greenwood watches Randy Miller on hole #6. Russell won the fourth flight and Randy won the blind bogey flight.

Elliott Zeller hits his ball back onto the #6 fairway after his drive strayed right. 

During a fierce wind Ed Biglin hits one off the hillside on #6. 

Saul Geiser attempts a long putt at #6. Saul won the first flight with a 40 (net 36). Saul won the CTP on the next hole, placing the ball 21-feet from the hole, the day's best shot.

Mike O'Neill with a short putt at #6. Mike finished in 6th place, but was only 1-stroke out of 2nd place. There was a major wolf pack in the first flight; several people were within 1-stroke of placing.

Ted Goode takes aim at #7, the CTP hole.

Van Hall launches his drive on #8. 

Steve Desimone goes with an iron on hole #8. Steve placed 2nd and is tied with Steve Obana as an early front-runner in the Golfer of the Year standings. Steve had the day's best gross score, a 39.

Braving a strong tailwind, Rollie Otto hits his drive at #8.

Stacey Mackey (new member) in sunlight on #1. The sun shone for a good hour before dark clouds dominated the sky. 

Stacey hits his drive on hole 18. By this time the rain had come down strong enough to form puddles on the greens. Golf clubs were difficult to grip and standing water made play extremely difficult, however Stacey persevered. 

Yun Akinaga observes Mark Boguski hit the green at hole #3.

Mark also hit the green here at hole #7 and won the fifth flight's CTP with a shot to 35'-3". Only four people hit the green all day: 2 from the first flight, 1 from the second flight, and 1 from the fifth flight.

Later in the round, at hole #17, Mark endures a major downpour. It would take several days for golf bags to dry out.

Yun Akinaga watches his ball narrowly miss the green at hole #7.

Yun in heavy rain on #18. His ball magically skipped across this small lake of standing water whereupon he made this fine approach shot. Yun was a member of the final group to complete all eighteen holes. This was less a matter of the weather holding out than it was of shear determination.

Drying in the clubhouse are Steve, Dave Webb and Van. Every few minutes a new group of drenched players would tread over and deposit a soggy scorecard on the scorer's table.

Mike Birnbach, Bob Diaz, Bob Sternbach, and Ralph Hill wick warm moisture off their bodies, replacing it with cold beer. 

Barry Woods (on cell), Chad Carey, Steve Obana, Mark Holman, and Edgar Johnson are warm enough, but have run out of beer. 

Dave Lozow provides the missing ingredient.

Complete Flight Results:
Below are complete flight results as well as highlighted results. NetF stands for net score on the front nine. This was used to determine net scores, as all participant's completed at least the front nine before any rain fell. Tie breakers for this are the combined scores of holes 7, 8, an 9, less 1/6 the individual's handicap.

Highlighted Results:

1st Flight

   1st tie-breaker(holes 7-9 - 1/6 CH):

2nd Flight

   1st tie-breaker(holes 7-9 - 1/6 CH):

3rd Flight

4th Flight

5th Flight

Blind Bogey

   BB tie-breaker goes to lowest gross score:

(Results tabulated by Steve Desimone)