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
Current golf outing results, schedules and photos follow:
February 2026
Guy Fischer has set a new branch standard as he tore up the course at Boundary by posting 11 pars and then added a birdie . Guy also became the first club member in the last three years to receive a ‘zero’ on the Buddy May’s bad hole column. ‘Other’ is a nice way of saying higher than a boggy.
It was new member day at the golf course. All our fresh players finished in the top half at the Boundary Oak scoring,. Names like to Guy Fischer , David Kurtzman, Ed Lichtig, Allen Forester, Joe Faulds arrived and played impressive golf..
Wow! Eric Benson.—-Golfers take note. He has turned into a determined swinging tiger. During the first five holes at Diablo Creek, Eric posted a series of unforeseen pars . Then he went on to finished the final part of the eighteen holes play with his best round of golf ever.
Pat Hoy is one of our key commanders who steps in when there is an absence. Pat is known as the ‘game fixers’ and always is there when someone yells for help. During play, Pat’s name usually ends up in the top-tier of our tournaments.,
Not to forget Kevin Winkler who schedules marshals for each competitions. This is not an easy job since 54 tournaments are arranged every year. However, his work has rewards in that Golf club executives are delight with our Branch since our marshals keep everything organized and moving.
A complete audit of David Green’s treasury books were recently completed and the reported states David is in 100% in compliance . After examining everything David Green received a triple’ A’ grade. Say it again.. a perfect 100% score.
David Platter
January 2026
On the first tee at Paradise Valley, hot Pat Hoy and finished with the best gross score and best net play. It was the same achievement that Jackie Kaneshiro had accomplished a week earlier at Franklin where he also won both titles. Not to forget Eric Benson, who the month before won the net score at Boundary and Steve Burrows showed his skill winning the raw score at the same tournament.. It was a fitting way of completing the last year golf outings…
Did you realize there are some rules the Pro know and we should consider….It is important because such golf procedures might save you from a golfing disasters . Below two examples..
- Rule [19.3]: YOU CANNOT LOSE A BALL ON THE FAIRWAY as long as all your playing partners witnessed your shot go to the fairway and then not be found. No penalty! Just drop a ball at a place where it should have been and play from that spot.. [It is an only on the fairway rule]
2..[Rule:-16] Real story with Tiger Woods as the star.. On the 18th green at Pebble Beach. Tiger was laying ‘2’. When he putted the ball too hard and it went past the hole then scooted down the green and off the putting service then stopped in the forward part of a bunker. Question: What did Tiger do next?
He yelled >>”Unplayable”<<. Then Tiger took a one stroke penalty, placed a second ball where he had just struck his first putt and then hit the golf ball into the hole. That gave him a happy ‘5’. Instead of attempted to plow out of the bunker, back to the fairway then onto the green with two or more putts for a ‘7 or higher. Yes! Tiger knew the golf rule.
We can do that.
David Platter
December 2025
We are fortunate to have Buddy May with us. He insures that all of our golfing statics are inscribed into the NCGA data base. This gives each of us a verifiable index. Sometimes it is required at distant courses. It also is necessary for our match play in order to keep each team competitive.
In 2025 we had many achievements. Only a few are mentioned below:
- In the raw tally posting, Steve Burrows had four different tournaments where his scores were in the seventies.
- Carl Sand won six net tournaments and also during one outing his scoring performance was 40% lower than his handicap.
- Stan Johnson won five net tournaments.
- On hole #2 at Boundary, Buddy May, five times won the closes to the flag contest.
The influential Ed Lichtig who joined us in late 2025, has been at work. Since his arrival Ed has encourage many golfers to reside at our club: So far this includes: David Kutzman, Guy Fischer, Greg Johnson, James Freeman, Howard Nep, and Terry Thomas. They are now roster members. These skillful golfers play every week in different golf groups.
What Ed likes about our set-up is the Dennler contract arrangement that assures our Branch acceptable tee times, locations, as well as cost for each match. The signup sheet also allows our players to select their starting times and foursomes. Except for at Boundary, David Green makes one payment for all of us which eliminates long lines. It also kept us from paying for reported no-show and their cancelation penalty.
N0vember 2025
As we enter the winter season where golf courses have weather restrictions. Please check our sign-up sheets the day of our play. Restrictions such as cart path only, field muddy, rain is expected and general condition of the course. David Green gives a tally 5-7 days in advance of play. Don Dennler has contracts with the courses giving us time and cost. This is done sometimes a year ahead of play. We have an excellent reputations with these clubs giving us an advantages over others golfers.
New member Ed Lichtig had a blistering game performance at Diablo Creek this month with 131% better than his handicap ratings. Others great players who exceeded expectations would included Eric Benson, Don Dennler, Buck Cheshire and Jack Schweizer. [all above 100%]
On another subject. Several Golf magazines have given reports on golf equipment. Below is their suggestion on golf balls…
1..Some of the worst golf balls for seniors: Bridgestone Tour BX, Pinnacle Gold: Mizuno Pros, Callaway Warbird. Srixon Zstar Dimond
2..Some best golf ball for seniors: Titlist AVX: Wilson Duo Soft: Sirxon Soft Feel: Tailormade: Soft: Callaway Super Soft. However, seniors who swing exceeds 90 mph, then The Titleist Pro V1x should be considered.
October 2025
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.
- 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..
- Golf holes #6 and #7 will be either altered or relocated to other places designed by the golf course..
- The golf range will double its capability by adding a second deck over existing tee slots.
- 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.
- 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
- New member Carl Sand finished first net posting [71] while low handicap Steve Burrows used professional talent to score a 79 gross at Blue Rock East.
- During the Diablo Creek tournament, Rick Knowles and Garry Palhegyi [also new] tied [71] at Diablo creek. The great Don Dennler[72] finished one stroke behind.
- Boundary Oak golf range will be completed by April of this year. They believe everyone will be pleased.
- Apparently, all legal avenues attempted by the city of Hercules have been exhausted. The 162 acres Franklin Canyon 18 hole golf facilities will be eliminated. Only the driving range will remain. Date for the innovative construction will be announced within a couple of months. Then the new owners will assemble a 60 placement locations for recreational vehicle. The value of the RV park will be enhanced by its neighbor John Muir’s 484 acres open space reserve. This open sanctuary will be altered to add trails, bungalows and overnight tents. Traffic speed on highway #4 will be slowed to 55 mph upon the completion of this vocational area. Swimming pools and cleaning facilities will be included in this project. It shall be called an RV resort. This will be our area’s 13 golf club closing within the past decade.
- Phil Philpot discontinued his SIR membership. He has been an active participant in both the 18 hole and the 9 hole that he directed at one time. A painful hip problem dictated his retreat from golf. We will miss this good friend.
- Kepler’s golf shop in Walnut Creek has smothered any normal approach to helping. I would not recommend embracing this shop as long as they keep promoting their strange system of selling.
