The Reno golf trip has been an ongoing SFFD tradition for many years and as long as I have been attending it has taken place during the third week of September. In the last several years Reno’s motorcycle rally has gotten bigger and bigger. At one point we were considering changing the date so we would not have to compete with the event to get rooms. Instead we opted to move the trip to the beginning of the week. This seemed like a good choice as we were leaving when the bikers started to arrive. A big bonus was that we had some fairly nice weather for all three days. This year we played the first day at our normal standby Lakeridge Golf Club. The day started out to be overcast, but the course was in perfect shape. We were lucky that the thunderstorms that were forecast for the day passed by during the evening and as the day went by the weather got better and better. I think that everyone had a good day and the course was fun and challenging like always. We are not sure if we are returning to Lakeridge next year and this could be the last time we played there, maybe we can work something out and can return. The second day was held at Wolfrun Golf Club. Wolfrun has become a semi-regular for the Reno trip and every time I play there I understand why we keep booking the course. This course is a lot of fun to play. The course has a little of everything, forced carries, water hazards, small and big greens and a variety of different types of holes. I was also very happy with the course and its condition. I think that we will most likely be returning there next year and would be interested in any feedback on some other courses that you would like to play. Thanks to all who attended and it was good to see everyone.

Silverado Country Club - October 12, 2005

Aw!!! October in the Bay Area I love the time of year San Franciscans call Indian summer. We are already blessed just by living in the greatest area in the world and then we get to enjoy Indian summer when most of the country is bracing for the beginning of winter. Part of the enjoyment is the perfect golf weather illustrated during the tournament held at Harding Park, where the best golfers in the world were treated to a taste of what we have every year. We had what had to be one of the nicest golf days of the year when we teed it up at one of the best golf clubs around, Silverado Country Club. Everyone who was able to attend this tournament was treated to great weather and a great course in perfect condition. We have been playing at Silverado’s South course every year right after the Senior tour held a tournament there and the course was always in great condition to accommodate the tour players. But I think that since the tournament was discontinued the course has actually improved. Think hard and fast greens and that is only the beginning.

Some of the guys tamed those tough greens and turned in nice scores, Larry Zammarchi lead the way as he made enough putts to post a very solid score of 94 net 65. Larry must have done more than putt because seven under is playing some good golf, a very fine round Larry. Steve Smith whose 95 net 66 was only one short putt away from first place. Maybe Steve should play more often next year and try to contend for the club trophy. Steve’s group has started to play more often and it is good to see them playing with the club. Another of our longtime members was alone in third place with a very nice score of 86 net 68. Ray Cohn was already retired when I entered the Fire department and I never had and opportunity to work with him so it is good to see him still playing in our club. Four of our better golfers tied for the medallist honors in this tournament. They all shot 76 and were bemoaning shots they left on the course. It must be nice to shoot four over and not be satisfied. Great golfing guys and in the next round you play I hope you shoot 90 so you know how the rest of us feel, just kidding well played.

Next year we have 10am shotguns for both of our Silverado tournaments and we would like everyone to know they are welcome to join us. Please!!! If you would like to play in the Silverado golf tournaments next year mark them on your calendars and call the golf line and reserve a foursome spot. Golf line 415-822-9500

Coyote Creek Golf Club - October 24, 2005

For the second year in a row we traveled south to end our golf club season. Coyote Creek is a tour stop for the Senior tour and we had the course all to ourselves. This facility is top notch with a great practice range and a great staff who were very helpful and their course was in much better shape this year. Our members were very positive in their comments about this golf course. I would have to agree as I thought that it is a very nice lay out and it had a nice mixture of holes. Maybe it was easier for some of our members, but I thought it was a pretty hard golf course. We had a rare three way tie for first place between Willie Cassillas, Terry Daily and Dave Britt who all shot net 68’s. Those were some nice scores and I was surprised that anyone was four shots under their handicaps. On a day when only six of our players were under their handicaps I was not that far off my prediction that only a handful would be under par. Mike Duncan who was the leader in the clubhouse for about an hour was alone in fourth place with a net 69.

Once again Chris Pratt was our medallist for the tournament with a 74. He is looking for two golfers to play in his group next year to round out a regular foursome. If interested when you call the golf line let us know you want to play with him.

This was the last event of the year and we are working on next years schedule. So far we know we have Monterey in April, Silverado in May and October and Reno in September. We will get the schedule out to everyone as soon as possible. Maybe we will find someplace new to play and maybe we will find someplace old and forgotten. If you have any suggestions let us know and we will inquire into it. For those new to the department and are interested in joining the club call and contact John McNulty or Darryl Loo at Station 17 and Frank Bonal at Station 2.

Thanks to all and we will see you all next year.

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