December is the month we look back at all the great tournaments and courses we have played. Over the last 12 months our group has nearly doubled. The Niguel Shores Men’s Golf group plays every Tuesday and we have had 20-24 players every week. We have a great rotation of course that are all 15-45 minutes from The Shores. This year we have played at Talega in San Clemente, San Juan Hills in San Juan Capistrano, Arroyo Trabuco in Mission Viejo, Tijeras Creek in Rancho Santa Margarita, Oak Creek in Irvine, and Monarch Link’s right here in Dana Point.
On Dec 13th we had our annual end of season putting contest at Talega Golf Club followed by a great breakfast.
This has been a great tradition where a challenging 9 hole putting course (we play it twice) is set up complete with sand and hazards. Great time for all with surprise prizes for the wining team. We also announced our coveted “Player of the Year” award and presentation of the White Jacket that the Player of the Year get’s to keep for the next 12 months. If that’s not enough incentive to play the Player of the Year can have embroidered his schools name or name of his favorite sports team. We are really big time!
The winner this year is Morry Dohner. Morry had shoulder surgery last spring and after 2 months of recovery and rehab he hit the course and in a short period was back to playing at a very high level. Congratulations to Morry and we all can take comfort that he now has a jacket he can wear to any formal event. In 2017 we will start our season at Talega followed by Oak Creek.
—Bob Russell
GOLF HUMOR TO START THE NEW YEAR
The Pope met with his cardinals to discuss a proposal from the Prime Minister of Israel.
Your Holiness, said one of the cardinals, The Prime Minister wants to challenge you to a game of golf to show the friendship and ecumenical spirit shared by the Jewish and Catholic faiths.
The Pope thought this was a good idea, but he had never played golf. Do we have a cardinal who plays who can represent me? he asked.
None that play well, the cardinal replied. But there is a man named Jack Nicklaus, an American golfer who is very devout. We can offer to make him a cardinal, then ask him to play as your personal representative. Besides showing our spirit of cooperation, we’ll win the match.
Everyone agreed it was a good idea and the call was made. Of course, Nicklaus was honored and agreed to play.
The day after the match, Nicklaus came to the Vatican to report to the Pope. I have some good news and some bad news, your Holiness, the golfer told the Pope.
Tell me the good news first, Cardinal Nicklaus.
I don’t like to brag, but even though I’ve played some great golf in my life, this was the best I’ve ever played, by far. I must have been inspired from above. My drives were long and true, my irons accurate and purposeful, and my putting perfect. With all due respect, my play was truly miraculous. And there’s bad news? asked the Pope.
Yes, Nicklaus sighed. I lost by three strokes to Rabbi Woods.
—Bob Russell
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