On May 22-23 Azusa Aztecs Class of 1961 held its semi-annual golf tournament. Bob O’Connor hosted the Palm Desert tournament with help from Richard Montes and Richard Rubio. Of course their spouses did most of the work– preparing meals, greeting classmates and making sure everyone was comfortable. Thank you Patty O’Connor, Joy Rubio and Rose Montes! The Saturday afternoon BBQ was moved indoors because after a good hour of lighting matches and jiggling tanks and cables, none of the men could figure out how to light the outdoor BBQ– that is, until Chuck Hardin read the instructions. It helps to have a techno nerd in the group. Adding to the fun, Bob O’Connor jumped into the hot tub with the tournament lineup in his pocket, so players had to wait a while for the paper to dry out before they could find out what teams they were on. Anyway, the food was good and the company, fantastic!
The tournament was held the next day at the Shadow Ridge Golf Course in Palm Desert. Butch Lightfoot, who drove from Phoenix, Arizona, was and is one of our best players. His teammate, Joanne Srack Mead, the only woman who played, twice beat Butch and Richard Rubio in her long putts (I witnessed it and caught it on video)– Yeah Joanne!Also caught on tape was Bob O’Connor using his foot as a putter at one of the final holes.
Bob gave me my own cart since I was taking photos and video of the tournament. The only mishap came when I accidently put my foot on the gas pedal (electric, really) instead of the brake and ended up almost giving Sonny Rau whiplash as I rear ended his cart. Luckily he wasn’t hurt.
It got a little windy and cold the last few holes, but everyone managed to finish, despite interference from tumbleweeds blowing across the fairway. Chuck Hardin’s team placed first and Roger Whiteley’s team placed second. Chuck, Roger and Dave Hartley (who drove down from Oregon) all received individual prizes at the awards ceremony with Chuck and Dave getting the most unusual prizes.
At the awards ceremony and dinner following the tournament I managed (with Chuck’s help) to display the photos and video I shot on the big screen TV for everyone to see. Richard Montes’ running commentary was priceless!
To see photos of the tournament and BBQ click on the following link: http://flickr.com/gp/9806517@N03/w4k055
And please feel free to leave a comment below.
Azusa High 1961 Blog 
Thanks, Sandy Reid
What fun it is to play alongside the boys! I had so much fun even though we ’bout froze to death for 30 minutes or so! Who would believe the weather!
Please, whoever hosts the next one, have it on a Sunday again so us working folks can join in.
And put the gals in with the guys – it is more fun that way and we play better as well.
Joanne