Morgan Pittman took first place in the Junior Golf Association of Northern California Divisional Invitational Tournament played at Ruby Hills GC in Pleasanton last week, playing an up-and-down round under windy conditions, shooting a score of 74. Pittman had 5 birdies, 5 pars and 7 bogies, in her effort to outsmart Mother Nature’s wrath, to win the girls’ 16-18 age division by 2 strokes. Amazing!
Pittman, currently a senior at Pleasant Valley High School, will be attending CSU Monterey Bay next fall.
“The Mission of the JGANC is to provide local junior golfers, ages 7-18, an opportunity to be a member of the organization which will allow them to play in competitive tournaments that are affordable, professional and are consistent with the USGA Rules of Golf and the Conditions of Competition,” according to its website. “The tournaments and events provide an opportunity for junior golfers to build a solid foundation, gain tournament experience and compete among their peers for the love of the game.
“The experience will help prepare junior golfers, if they so desire, to compete in any State or National event. JGANC will also promote, fund and manage a scholarship fund. JGANC will strive to provide scholarships to junior golfers that have participated as a member, uphold the values of the organization and pursue a degree at an accredited college or university.”
Canyon Oaks CC
It was “Ho, Ho, Ho” time last week for the Canyon Oaks Senior Men’s Golf Club monthly tournament. The format was a 4-Man Scramble, playing 9 holes from the red tees and 9 holes from the white tees. The teams were required to use 3 tee shots from each player. 1, Randy Maday, Donn Marshall, Greg Miller and Steve St Cin, 54; 2, Bruce Alpert, Scott Bobbins, Tim Lehor and Paul McIntosh, 56; 3, Scott Borges, Keith Chamberlin, Marty Coil and Bob Kromer, 57. Closest to the pin contest: Hole No. 3, Maday; No. 6, Maday; No. 11, Carter; No. 14, Richard Emswiller.
Butte Creek CC
The Butte Creek Women’s Golf Club held its annual Goodie Gift Exchange, 4 Clubs and a Putter Individual Stroke Play Tournament last week. The players were divided into two teams, selected by the golf shop staff so as to equalize the total team handicap, which was 184.3 for the green team and 184.9 for the red team, pretty close.
The red team members were Jeanie Lowe, Jayne Bunting, Barbara Joronen, JoAnne Rutledge, Shirley Leighty, Suzy Mann and a blind draw. The green team members were Pam Miller, Vicki Ellcessor, Darlene Thomasson, Tami Blofsky, Cyndi Bailey, Joan Hart and Karen Beckman. The red team came out on top, 292 to 323 and as a result its members had first choice, ahead of the green team members, to select a wrapped Christmas gift from the Goodie table.
Spectacular shots
Dan Schneirsohn finally achieved his first career hole-in-one on the 7th hole at Bidwell Park GC a couple of weeks ago. Witnessing Schneirsohn’s perfect 128-yard, 8-iron tee shot, disappear into the cup, at a back green pin placement, were his playing companions, Al Petersen, Cristina Bicondoa and Nancy Jensen.
Looking back: 12-28-04
I was 67 when I wrote the article below about Charlie Manning 20 years ago. I didn’t realize it at the time that I would be enjoying the same luxury when I was 87. What goes around, comes around. How time flies when you’re having fun.
LOCAL GOLFER PROVES GOLF IS A GAME FOR A LIFETIME
“Charlie Manning, a member of Butte Creek CC, enjoys a wonderful life that includes the game of golf. Charlie, born in Sacramento, is 83 years of age and boasts an index of 5.4. He consistently shoots his age. He has only shot above his age once in his last twenty rounds. Last year, while Butte Creek was undergoing some renovations, Charlie shot 63 from the temporary tees.
“He started playing golf when he was 14, and one of his best memories relates to a day he was playing with a friend and another older gentleman. The older man hit it down the middle all day long and always seemed to be on the green in regulation. The old gentleman shot his age, 84, and Charlie remembers thinking that shooting one’s age is a remarkable feat. Charlie does that routinely now.
“Charlie loves to tell the story about beating the future PGA tour star Bob Roseburg in a San Francisco Junior tournament, and then he chuckles when he confesses that he was 16, but Roseburg was only 12.
“Charlie captained the UC Berkeley golf team in 1940. He joined the Army Air Corps during World War II and made bombing runs from England into Germany. One day, he was scheduled for a flight and was sick and couldn’t fly. His plane was shot down, and the entire crew was lost. On the very next scheduled flight, the pilot was killed from ground fire. Charlie bailed out along with the co-pilot. The plane exploded in flames as he and the co-pilot parachuted to the ground. He was captured by the Germans and spent 13 months in captivity until being freed by General Patton’s marching army.”
Charlie Manning was a special person. Golf was his joy and source of immense pleasure. He especially enjoyed the happiness and camaraderie on and off the golf course with his friends. Happy New Year to Charlie.
Happy New Year to you all!
Ed Anderson’s local golf column appears Tuesdays. He can be reached at edanderson1936@gmail.com.
