Las Positas
3rd Event of 2005 Season 
Saturday, December 11, 2004

"Ask and ye shall receive." Except in this case Chris Brown got more than he bargained for. All he wanted was a description of the first hole. Pointing in all directions are Mark Siegel, Ed Louie, and Jimmy Ikeda.

Strong winds and rain beat down heavily on the Bay Area earlier in the week, but things settled as the week progressed. By Saturday all the early signs were for a very nice day. A blue sky was visible in spots and the sun was destined to break into all its warm glory. Yet this never happened in Livermore. It was overcast and chilly for most of the day, with highs of about 55-degrees. Winds were tame, however and this explains the low scores. Nevertheless, just playing golf in December is a luxury we’ve been able to afford by living in the Bay Area, and as so often before, Livermore proved a successful venue for this oft unseasonable time of year. Knock on 3-wood, but not since Adobe Creek in March of 2000 have we suffered a complete rainout. Two years ago (December ’02) we had a half-rainout at Las Positas, whereby everyone finished 9 holes but only half finished 18 holes. The board decided to make official those 9-hole results, thus setting precedent for the issuance of full GOY points and prizes for any rain shortened event whereby all players at least were able to complete 9-holes.

The tournament got off to a late start. The week prior Steve had confirmed with the staff at Las Positas that our starting time was 9 a.m. However, on the day of the tournament we were told that our starting time was 9:30 a.m. Our veteran members knew the real story (priority to Las Positas members). At any rate we began around 9:30. It was close, but everyone finished their rounds before dark. Groups coming in at the last were cold, tired, windblown, and hungry. Upon entering from the clubhouse Club President Walburg was politely ordered (yes, ordered. It’s called voluntary servitude and trust me, there’s little glamour to the position) back into the cold to see what he could do about getting everyone to speed up. He bundled up and tried not to make enemies out there. People pretty much understood and when all was said and done we finished just in time. This was not optimal. It’s not easy playing at dusk, but we worked within the given parameters and all finished! Las Positas has been good to us over the years, and always popular, we’ll return. Doubtless next year they’ll take better care of us.

Gary Vollen introduced Glenn Greenberg, a replacement for Mark Northfield (our orthopedic surgeon) who was in surgery that day.

Low Scores

In spite of the time concerns and the chilly weather the scores at Las Positas were very low. Not since 1999 have we at Las Positas equaled this day’s performance of three scores of 65 or better in three different flights. During that year it was Ken Lloyd with 71 (Net 65), Ryan Lai with 64, and Bob Sternbach with a 65. (I recall with fondness this exact tournament, because it was my very first and I won the blind bogey flight!) And so it was again that net 65 was the winning score in three of our net flights. 69 won the fourth. Having witnessed Dave Rose's amazing round (84, Dave’s second-best score ever) we in his foursome were convinced he would have the day's best score. It was a shock to discover three 65's in the field and see Dave holding a check for second place. But Dave wasn’t complaining... The three super-exceptional scores were turned in by new GOY leader Ken Lloyd (72, net 65), Mike O'Neill (77, net 65), and Ed Louie (79, net 65). Dennis Smith shot 69 and won the fourth flight. And Yun Akinaga was the day's lottery winner. In spite of shooting a net 73 he placed third in the fourth flight. Yun was the only person to place who hadn't shot below net par.

Double Eagle #2

For the second time in club history, a double-eagle was recorded in one of our tournaments.

Double Eagle #1: Details of this only recently have been uncovered. The first double eagle was recorded by Mike Armstrong in his Eddie Reed match vs. Eddie Reed (the mythical legend of golf) in late April or early May of 1988. Mike hit a 2 iron on the par five thirteenth hole at Tilden Park. The pin was on the upper tier. The ball landed on the roller tier, climbed up the bank and disappeared into the hole. Both Eddie and Mike saw it. A group of Tilden seniors were on the old lawn area where the patio is now located and they cheered. It was a Tuesday or Wednesday. Mike went 3 or 4 up on Eddie at that point and barely hung on to win. Two months later Eddie would expose himself in Hawaii.

Double Eagle #2: Steve Sanguinetti achieved golf's rarest feat on the par 5 second hole. After a 284 yard drive to the right side of the fairway Steve had about 210 yards remaining. A fade is not his favorite shot,. However he hit a 2-wood ("The Deuce", Callaway Big Bertha), fading it perfectly. It felt and looked great, and he saw it land, bounce a few times and roll into the hole for a double eagle. It' unusual to expect to be 2 under par after the first two holes, especially after taking a bogey on the first hole, but this was Steve... He went on to place second behind Ken Lloyd.

Mr. Consistency: Mike O'Neill

Mike O'Neill played an extremely consistent round. His scorecard consisted entirely of 3's, 4's, and 5's. He had no birdies and no double bogies and handily won the second flight with his 77 (net 65).

New Lenses

Some members were curious about the professional lenses. With a new photography business in the works, Walburg was eager to test out the fancy new (expensive) lenses. Of course one member remarked that he never thought things would get *even more* professional. The thought of what could be next brought on discussions of video and even IMAX. So don’t be surprised if at a not too distant time you’ll be able to see "U.C. Golf Club, the Movie" at a theater near you…

GOY Race Heats Up

With his win, Ken Lloyd edged past Jim Peretti (Golfer of the Year for 2004) in the current race. Ken has won both events he’s played in. Ken was due, however, as he’s not been playing well and didn’t win once last year. Jim, however, has a tremendously enlarged ego (what’s new), having overstretched his britches on a steady diet of successful outings. It’s exciting to once again have a close race. Alone in third place is Bob Sternbach. Watch out for Bob. He’s hungrier than the two in front combined…

There was a significant amount of finger-pointing at Las Positas. Most of it occurred here at the first hole, when members tried to explain the tricky opening hole. Here Mark Siegel and Chris Brown are pointing out something to Ed Louie. To any non-golfer this game would appear absolutely baffling, but to seasoned veteran's it's simply confusing.

Jimmy Ikeda does some finger-pointing while Mark Siegel ponders purchasing a glazed doughnut from the clubhouse cafe.

Mark Holman is now pointing something out. Meanwhile Mark Siegel, still in the background, has reconsidered and is now contemplating a powdered donut and maybe a Twix chocolate-caramel cookie bar, for later. "Damn," he thinks, working it over in his mind, "Maybe I'll get some Skittles too." These are the inner workings of the mind of a true golfing champion.

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Enjoying the weather are Andrew Kang, Yun Akinaga, and Boyd McCaslin. Yun and Boyd knew the scoop with the delay. They know that local members always take precedence. They just sipped their coffee and made the best of it. It's called wisdom, and these guys have substantial holdings in this commodity.

Barry Woods also seems to be graced with a patient soul. He hit the practice green and didn't let the wait bother him. And it paid off with his second place finish in the second flight. He also won the CTP with a shot to 12'-11". And his 39 on the front nine was exceptional!

Chris Brown and Mark Siegel had a running wager on the practice green.

Marvin Peixoto with a few warm up putts. 

Just prior to the first group's departure, Club Manager Steve Desimone addresses the field and presses the importance of ready golf on this day. He had the foresight to recognize that daylight would be tight.

Steve's opening drive. Steve opened here with a triple bogey. How's that for 'Coach of the Year?' After a rough front nine Steve pulled together a 37 on the back.

Ken Lloyd took a par here on the opening hole. On the day Ken shot even par 72 and placed first in the first flight with a net 65. Ken Lloyd has only played in two tournaments this season, but he's won each time. He's our new leader, having passed long time GOY leader Jim Peretti. It's about time.

Steve Sanguinetti placed 2nd in the first flight, but the best shot of the day (best ever in a standard, flighted tournament) was his 7th stroke of the day. After a bogey here on #1, and a decent drive on #2, Steve hit a 2-wood into the hole from 210 yards for a double eagle.

Later, on the 6th hole, Steve was doubled over in laughter having to back off from a putt. Certainly Steve wasn't letting bad play ruin his day, for he carded a double bogey here but appears as jolly as can be.

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Dave Webb tied Ken Lloyd with the day's best round. Dave also turned in an even par 72. After a 37 on the front nine Dave turned it up a notch, carding a 35 on the back nine. Here on the 6th hole Dave strikes with a vicious chop from the wet rough at the 6th hole. Note the trail of water behind the club head in the super-sized version of this shot. That's what an $1,800 lens can offer from 40 feet away... Dave earned a par here.

Speaking of lenses, here's Mike Armstrong, with the ball frozen in mid-air. Good stuff.

Van Hall with a short chip at #6.

Mark Steppan and son Matt. This was Matt's first appearance on the scene.

Matt's got a terrific swing. Let's hope he's not influenced by the awful swings which most of our members embrace, forlornly... (emphasis on "fore!"). Matt birdied the 11th hole and on the third hole hit his shot to 14'-7".

Chad Carey has a respectable swing. But that's the exception in this club. Not the norm.

Andrew Bodisco at the opening hole, with ghosted club head just about to impact the ball.

Like Napoleon Bonaparte, Ed Louie stares out across the panorama which will serve as his battlefield over the course of the next 5 hours.

Ed Louie with a short chip at #18. Just as Napoleon had traversed the European continent winning fantastic battles, Ed Louie had engineered a fantastic round of golf, carded four birdies, broke 80 by a stroke, and turned in a net 65 to capture the third flight. His 37 on the back nine stands out most vividly. Only three golfers in the first flight turned in a better performance on the back nine. Ed's birdies came at holes: 6, 11, 12, and 17. Here at #18 Ed earned par.

Perhaps the biggest story of Ed's successful campaign is that this was his very first tournament after getting married. Next month he would be kidded about getting married before every tournament. "My wife would have to be convinced", he'd assert.

Chris Brown with a focused grimace at the first hole. Regardless of the concentration he suffered an ignoble quintuple on the opening hole. He turned it around quickly however with a par at #2 and a birdie at #3, where Chris won the third flight's CTP with the tournament's closest CTP shot, 3'-10".

Jimmy Ikeda gets points for style with this shot. Jimmy earned par on the first four holes.

Most of the style points result from the puckered lips. Perhaps Jimmy was kissing the ball goodbye. Regardless, it's a cool look and one which more golfers should assume.

Todd Podoll went with the rescue club off the first tee. It's pretty early in the rounds to use the rescue club, but Todd knows his game. And it worked, for he parred the hole.

Edgar Johnson gets a good explosive impact at the first tee. Not bad timing by the photographer either...

New member Kevin Kendall with a smooth swing and a smooth opening par.

This has gotta be a bit embarrassing. Perhaps our dorkiest-ever documented reaction. It's Greg Kramp, and he's doing some sort of swing-era fist pump. Hey, at least the net result was good. But  for god's sake (and everyone's), please work on the reaction poses, Greg. When in doubt, subtlety is a terrific option. Despite his antics (or as a result of them) Greg was having a decent round. He eagled the 2nd hole (sorry Greg, not the day's best score there) and here he took par after this nice chip.

Greg with a putt on the 9th green.

Ed Blom carded a birdie here at #8 after hitting this nice shot from the rough and a side-hill lie. That's very impressive.

Bill Marchant with a shot at the 8th hole.

Bill scrambled for bogey here on #8.

Bryan Lee had some water trouble here at #4.

Bryan prepares for his pitch shot at #12.

Bryan carded his third consecutive par.

Steve Hong with a stylish approach at #8. Steve would go on to earn par here.

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Steve also earned par here at #12.

Tom Furtado with some solid contact from the rough at hole #8.

Andrew Kang also exhibits some strength with this approach shot at #8.

Rick Crawford having just parred the 16th and 17th holes, stares into the sunset at the 18th hole.

Ed Biglin reacts to this short missed birdie putt at #17.

Allen Kent attempts to run down the hapless photographer. Chris Maters eggs him on.

Ed Biglin and Elliott Zeller also failed to flatten the paparazzi. Both men did earn par at #18.

Chris Maters glances down the 18th fairway. He would leave the course having placed third in the second flight, thanks exclusively to the birdie he earned here at #18. Without a birdie he would have placed fourth behind Rick Guevara.

With an airplane landing in the background, Ryan Tabibian prepares for his second shot at the second hole.

Ryan's drive on the 4th hole.

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Ryan's shot at the 7th green. For some reason everyone was about a club short here.

Without question Ryan is the most reliable source for interesting reactions. I've learned to keep my camera trained on Ryan, not for spectacular results, or for his impressive follow through, but for those few seconds between the follow through and his realization of his resulting shot, which generally involves an interesting reaction.

Dave Rose watches his shot at the third hole. He took a par. This photo has a respectable background 'bokeh.' The word "bokeh" comes from the Japanese word "boke" (pronounced bo-keh) which literally means fuzziness or dizziness. Bokeh is the appearance or "feel" of out-of-focus backgrounds and foregrounds. Better lenses are better able to soften background light into nicely out-of-focus spheres.

Dave's approach on the difficult 9th hole. Dave earned a respectable bogey here.

New member Christopher Ybarra eyes a putt from the fringe at #4, which he parred.

Christopher, brimming with confidence, went for it here at the risk-reward 5th hole. His first shot fell short into the lake.

Undaunted, Christopher reloaded and went for it again, this time the result was spectacular. The ball carried the lake and finished about 20 feet from the hole. He two-putted for an impressive, albeit unusual, bogey.

Christopher receives congratulations from Ryan.

Christopher intently focused on a putt at the 9th hole.

Aaron Walburg's shot at the 7th hole.

Following three consecutive bogies, Jack King was delighted with his new driver.

Nice shot of Yun Akinaga and Jack King at the 18th hole. By this time the sun was receding over the horizon.

Yun misses this long par attempt on the final hole.

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After 18 holes, left to right are Yun Akinaga, Bob Traum (All the way from Henderson, Nevada!), Jack King, and Boyd McCaslin.

Ken Lloyd works over the data at the scoring table. 

Greg Smith and Ed Biglin check out some early returns.

David Wherritt peeking over Ken's shoulder. Dave didn't place, but his 85 (net 70) was crucial. Little could Dave realize this at the time, but by only a single stroke he had won the Most Improved Golfer award. Had he shot 86, Ryan Tabibian would have won the award.

Complete Flight Results:

Highlighted Results:

1st Flight

   1st tie-breaker(L9 holes-1/2 CH):

2nd Flight

   1st tie-breaker(L9 holes-1/2 CH):

3rd Flight

4th Flight

   1st tie-breaker(L9 holes-1/2 CH):

Blind Bogey

   1st tie-breaker(L9 holes-1/2 CH):

(Results tabulated by Ken Lloyd and Steve Desimone.)