The Bidwell Women’s Golf Club held a 4-Woman, Member/Guest Day Tournament in honor of Elsie McLean last week.

Fifty-two players participated and generously contributed to the Elsie McLean Memorial Scholarship Fund, which is administered by Chico State’s foundation.

The format was called a “Flag Tournament” wherein one best-ball was counted when the flag in the cup was red, two best-balls for a white flag and three best-ball for a blue flag.

First flight: 1, Dianna Lotspeich, Sophia Magana, Linda Mowell and Cynthia Paulo, 114; 2, Tammy Cook, Janet Ford, Molly Knobbe and Jerry Turek, 117; 3, Becky Callas, Judy Davis, Betty Linzy and Panda Morgan, 121; 4, Barbara Albers, Pam Coleman, Cheryl Goodwin and Susan Wever, 127.

Second flight: 1, Lynn Beyers, Helen Deatsch, Susan Fortino and Irma Jenkins, 125; 2, Lynn Collar, Deena Cooper Paula Kokal and Liz Mosher, 127; 3, Molly Barnum, Cindy Bell, Jolene Nixon and Sandy Sample, 129. Closest to pin contest on hole No. 12: 1, Paulo; 2, Collar; 3, Kristy Anderson.

Through the generosity of the members and guests, the Elsie McLean Scholarship fund was increased by $800. The scholarship fund is fully endowed thanks to the efforts of the members of the BPWGC, Pat Van Dyke in particular, and the generosity of those in our community who support junior golf. Each year a member of the Chico State woman’s golf team is selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship from the fund.

For those of you who may not remember, Elsie, on April, 5, 2007, became the oldest person in the world to score a hole-in-one on a regulation golf course. At the time, Elsie was 102 years old, and still holds the record for being the oldest woman to have scored an ace. Ironically, it was her very first ace. She began playing golf in 1934 at the Bidwell municipal golf links (as it was called back then) when the “greens” were still sand. She devoted her entire life to the betterment of the Bidwell Women’s Golf Club, and to her hometown, Chico.

Safari Tournament

The 45th annual Safari Tournament was held in Reno last week, primarily because of its guru, Gary Pederson, who has spearheaded the outing every year since its inception. The field was somewhat smaller this year with only 19 participants, playing the Sierra Sage GC, and both the Red Hawk Hills and Lakes courses in Reno.

Accolades go all around to Gary Pederson, for his tenacity and dedication in preserving a great tradition and a lasting friendship with his playing companions. However, Pederson did have help this year from Pat Goodwin, Gary Albers and Ben Heerema in score tallying and determining the winners. This year the game format was low gross, low net, skins and a closest to the pin contest all three days.

Sierra Sage low gross: Jeff Nedved, 72. Low net: Preston Persky, 69. Closest to the pin: No. 4; Pat Goodwin; No. 16, Don Krysakowski. Red Hawk Hills Course low gross: Nedved, 66. Low net: Ed Anderson, 65. Closest to pin on No. 4, Goodwin; No. 14, Nedved. Red Hawk Lakes low gross; 1, Nedved, 64; 2, Ben Heerema, 73. Low net, 1, Gary Crane, 64, card-off; 2, Krysakowski, 64. Closest to the pin: No. 4, Art Gausemel; No. 17, Cliff Kitayama.

A highlight of the tournament was a hole-in-one by Nedved on the 13th hole of the Red Hawk, Hills course. Nedved’s perfect 137-yard, 56 degree gap wedge tee shot was observed landing 8 feet above the pin and spinning back into the cup by his playing companions, Ed Anderson, Cliff Kitayama and Eric Sargent. Nedved followed up the eagle one with three straight birdies on 14, 15 and 16. You don’t need to be a Cal Tech graduate with a degree in rocket science to figure out who the dominate player was in the tournament.

A little history of the Safari may be in order. In 1980, three local teachers and fellow members of the El Rancho Chico Golf Club, and obviously very good friends, decided to go to Reno to play golf and enjoy themselves on a so-called “Safari” once school was out for summer vacation. The three were: Gary Pederson, Hal Jergentz, and Ken Petrocelli. Forty-five years hence, Pederson, who is fondly referred to (by me) as the “McCloud Flash,” now lives in Redmond, Oregon and is still considered the guru and organizer of the Safari, rest assured not an easy task. His effort involves organizing the out-of-town tournament for the players at three or four different golf courses, including arrangements for lodging, score tallying, and all the other perks and amenities required for a successful and entertaining tournament. This is not an easy task — ask Ted Blofsky about it, who did essentially the same for 50 years with the Casa Munras outings.

The camaraderie and competition is strong among the attendees. Throughout its 45 year history, 81 different players have participated and 30 different golf courses have been played. The tournament has been held in Reno, Carson City and Las Vegas. Several attendees this year have participated in the tournament for a long time and their tenure with the group is in double figures: Pederson, 45 years; Pat Goodwin, 37 years; Gary Albers, 29 years; Preston Persky, 24 years; Art Gausemel, 22 years; Scott Donahoo, 21 years. This in itself is a testament to the longevity, popularity and competitive spirit that has been enjoyed by the attendees over the years.

Table Mountain GC

The Table Mountain Women’s Golf Club selected “Even Holes” for its weekly game, counting only the even numbered holes for the game score. Dana Blanton was overall low gross at 92. Juliet Romero came in with a net 69 to take overall low net.

First flight game: 1, Liz Hofeling, 35.5; 2, JoAnne Jircitano, 37; 3, Lynn Sutherland, 40, card-off; 4, Janett Ott, 40. Second flight: 1, Mary Haloski 36; 2, Michelle Brown, 37; 3, Pete Powell, 38; 4, Donna Madison, 40. Closest to the pin on No. 16: Jircitano.

Major achievement

Shooting at or below your age is always a significant achievement and a milestone many players strive for. Last week, Tom Beckman shot 82, one stroke under his age. This is the third time Beckman has shot under his age, but this round was highlighted when he chipped in for par on the 14th hole, and again for birdie on the par 3, 17th hole at Butte Creek, for a good day on the course.

Spectacular shot

Mike Rutledge scored an eagle three on the par 5, 13th hole at Butte Creek last week. Rutledge hit a perfect 9-iron approach shot into the cup from 98 yards out.

Ed Anderson’s local golf column appears Tuesdays. He can be reached at edanderson1936@gmail.com.