Golf -18 Hole 

The 18 Hole Golf Activity home course is Boundary Oak Golf Course in Walnut Creek and the group plays weekly at many courses in the bay area. To see a complete listing of the courses, make a tee-time reservation, or for other golf information, click on the appropriate link in the menu on the right-hand side.

If you have and questions or would like to join us, please contact David Platter.

Golf Committee Members:

Chairman – David Platter

925-283-9146

golfplatter@Hotmail.Com

Membership / Handicaps / Data – Buddy May
Treasurer – David Green
Special Tournaments – Frank Bosworth
Golf Course Manager – Don Dennler
Marshals Director – Kevin Winkler
Communications Director –
Advisor – Pat Hoy
Website Coordinator – Buddy May

Our October tournament,  Frank “Bongo” Bosworth’s creation, was named Bingo Bango Bongo. It rewards short game skills and gives 3 points on each hole. A point for first player on the green, another point for closest to the hole, and a third point for first to hole out.

Congrats to our very sensitive and shy Terry Mason who tore up the course with an impressive 19 points. The two Jims (Smrha and Regan) managed 17 points each.

During this summer our group held a match play against SIR Branch #161. We won 7 of the 10 matches.  The contest was staged at the Diablo Creek Country Club.  A stand-out game was with our team of David Green and Rich Knowles. They scored a record breaking 13 to 1 victory over their opponents .

On sad personal note. I wish to thank my friends for their consoling words during a difficult time. Your comforting understanding was welcome and appreciated.  Our family is very grateful.. My Barbara was a wonderful lady. We were married for many years. There was no one like her. She will remain in my thoughts, prayers, and soul forever.

David Platter

June 2025

While playing in the Franklin Canyon tournament, Steve Burrow’s gross scored was seventy-six. [76]. This takes talent.

Arte Chan net was best at Blue Rock West and also at Blue Rock East games. Don Dennler received winning honors at Franklin Canyon and San Ramon… Both Arte and Don winnings were posted below par. [five net tournaments won by two golfers] [again talent]

San Ramon went several years not being on our schedule. A difficult morning highway cluttered with mean automobiles became the visible villain. However, now traffic has become somewhat better  giving us access to these golf links.

This 6,525 long golf course was built in 1946. Ten years ahead of highway #680. It has received a good ratings by Yelp’s Service and cost have been kept under control.  Ground keeping  expenses runs around $200,000. [ $350,000 is normal]  San Ramon pays only $35,000 for pumping in reclaimed water. . [ Normal tap water around $400,000 ]

Every course has a story and San Ramon does shares a few narratives. For example, one home owner living near hole #3 complained his house was being hit 2000 times a month. Each day his yard mirrored the reminisce of a snow storm. To the home owner such a bombardment was like living in a war zone. Finally, management moved the tee out of the way and closer to the fairway. Problem solved…happy home….

Peter Jordan  Terry Mason

April 2025

Lyme Disease decided to revisit California. Though found in every state but Hawaii, the quantity of ticks in our area has dramatically increased. Now these demons find the western brush a great place to hide. Being bitten by a nasty tick can cause problems.  It will also result in long-term complications. Sir golfers sometimes venture into the woods innocently looking for a wayward golf ball, not realizing a dangerous critter is lurking nearby. If bitten, there is a 50% chance the tick will inject poison. If this nip can be discovered in time[about 72 hours] then antibodies have had excellent results. However, a doctor call is necessary and much can be learned from the internet, [Lyme disease. com]

Branch #19 has moved its monthly meeting to Pittsburgh. Most of their players live in the Brentwood-Pittsburg area and prefer less highway #4 traffic.

Governor Newsom wants to eliminate all RV parks. Franklin Canyon has put their project on hold until this law has been digested.  A wise man once said, “A golf course will remain open until it is closed.” [Yes, he is paid for sharing such wisdom.]

The #146 branch golf chairman believes the most important item on their docket is to show others just how well they are organized. Yet, when asked how many players are on their golf roster, he was uncertain. However, he is certain that they will play 85% to 95% of their games at Boundary Oak, but quickly adds he is unsure about the percentage.

Great news! Mark Evanoff is back after a long fairway absence. Garland Bell returns after enjoying several weeks of physical pain.. Our Dan Crowley will revisit us with vigor after his winter in Scottsdale, Arizona. Genius Frank Bosworth will use a game structured around a match-play format. This sport pits each player against every other golfer in their foursome. Individual indexes will be used to level competition. This idea came to Frank while on the operating table just before being blurred out by anesthesia gas. True, the shoulder operation was successful. However, while in the recovery room, the nurses had to keep Frank sedated because of the lack of interest in a match-play format.

March 2025

Monday March 24 the eighteen Hole Golf group held a scramble tournament. Six teams of 4 ( an a, b, c, and d player) played a best ball format. Scores were adjusted by the group handicap.

Jeff Martin, who just joined our group played his first game at this tournament. He, along with team members Arte Chan, Ray de Wit, and Frank Bosworth walked away with the coveted first-place prize.

Jeff, congratulations and welcome to the group.

February 2025

New talent can be seen in the winner circle. Rick Trudell took first place in the Rancho Solano tournament with an 84 raw score giving him a net of 68 [ Along with ten pars.] He is an athlete with many talents brought to our group by the famous Peter Jordan who also is one of our top player. These are remarkable scores when one considers the amount of rainwater that has hit the golf course. Perhaps, Rick should develop a sparkling swimming activity for our branch.

For the second time this year, both Rich Knowles and humble Mike Furtado took first place in separate tournaments. These men are avid golfers with a knack for achievement.

Questions about Diablo Creek Golf Club future. In interviews with management it was clear their club will remain as an important 18 hole golf course. In fact, they are planning to improve their course as well as expand their facilities. The first order of business is to consolidate control under one authority. As of now it has a split ownership with US Government and the City of Concord. Eventually the City of Concord will acquire all the property.

Then a look at some of the details.

1. The state of California is expected to build a service road parallel to the north side of highway #4. This is necessary to enable cars to exit onto to an overpass which will guide travel into the proposed 22,000 homes on the south side of the freeway..
2. Golf holes #6 and #7 will be either altered or relocated to other places designed by the golf course..
3. The golf range will double its capability by adding a second deck over existing tee slots.
4. Since covid, Diablo has increased usage. The break-even is 60,000. They now are playing 73,000 golfers per year. Parking on weekends now is at full capacity.
5. Redesigning the playing facilities with the hope of becoming one of the best courses in the state.

On another note:  Golf equipment manufactures only makes small changes each year and get away with jacking prices into insane heights on these ‘new’ products. Desperate golf shops consistently violate California criminal code #1723 by not inform the buyer of their’ ‘no return policy’. The law sates it must be clear before a sale is completed. ‘There will be no refund’. [Even if it is a demo product, faulty equipment, or you are a nice person]

Golf shop are required to parrot these criminal codes to employees. The District Attorney has been informed of existing violations and have pledged to take action .

January 2025

The Eagle Vines Golf Course prepared itself for an invasion of Sir superior athletes from the legendary Branch #8. Mythical Garland Bell was ready to accepted the challenge aware 11 out of  18 holes do cuddled up to lakes and creeks. These liquid lagoons are known to show defiance. Aware of all inheriting dangers, Garland Bell pushed forth and grabbed the winning score of 70 net.

Golf’s naughty words usually are expressed while digging one’s golf ball out of the bottom of a lake. It creates anxiety knowing the lake-ball is not clinically washed a then comes the need to publish an advisory to everyone in the Napa area.

A golfer must be aware of the playtime perils.  For example: While setting up a shot to the golf-green while standing in a deep water lake, one must explore several opposing options.  First, the rules states a ball may be hit while covered with water. However, if the ball is camped below 9 feet, then those using the 6 inch bump rule must except a one stoke penalty on their score card. There is logic behind this rule because of the need to protect the environment. It also is needed to promote world peace and give a better understanding of our water birds friends not forgetting the need to eliminate outer planet who are harboring too much CO2.

Then there is a local problem. Our very own BEC reminds us that swimming in a lake blurs  our Sir image as well as the very spirit of golfing. Too many golfers have drowned because they had a mental tie to our old format. Even tolerant Buddy May voiced concerned when posting scores. His committee has asked. “How does one give the NCGA an accurate  golf tally if one of our golfers drown while attempting to fetch a wet golf ball?” [Even if it was bought on sale.]

Now let us leave this report on a positive note. Mike Furtado brought his OLDER brother Tom to one of our SIR’s tournament. Tom is ten years YOUNGER  than Mike. This gives Mike one younger-older brother. We question his wording, but do understand Mike’s age sensitive..

Pat Hoy stunned the Eagle Vines crowd with a first place win of 83 gross. However, his success was NOT tied to the open end treasury debit card he had just been issued. In fact,  Pat will use this document to satisfy silly course demands such as green fees. He will temporally take the place of Commadore Dave Green who is our General Director of Finance. Commadore Green does dabble in world class sailing and at times must absence himself to command his private yacht in world class competitions.