Writer taking to the links

Sometimes I feel that golf and I have a love-hate relationship.

But I do believe the addiction of playing has gotten the best of

me.

As the new golf writer for the Daily Pilot, I have been taking

steps to familiarize myself with the Newport-Mesa golf community. And

while some of the steps involve playing on my own time for fun, other

assignments arise.

Recently, my editor assigned me the task of joining the Costa Mesa

Men’s Club to get to know community members who meet regularly to

play at Costa Mesa Golf & Country Club.

Little did I know what an assignment this would turn out to be.

Saturday, I played for the first time with club members and put my

order in for a Southern California Golf Association number and

handicap index. I guess you could consider this my first step in my

long-term goal of joining the PGA Tour.

And when I say long term, I mean long term.

Saturday, I had the pleasure of playing the Los Lagos course with

men’s club president Loren Hansen, along with two other members.

Throughout our round, Hansen brought me up to speed on the purpose of

the club.

“It’s about the camaraderie,” Hansen said after our round. “It’s a

bunch of very nice people who get together to play. All of these guys

are true friends -- there are no egos involved.”

After I wrapped up my day, I realized that the Costa Mesa Men’s

Club is unlike other golf clubs in the area. It doesn’t cost a

million dollars to join and there is no selection process involved.

Currently, the club is seeking more members and is running a special

-- $175 for the rest of 2005 and all of 2006.

Of course, like all golf clubs, there is competition involved.

Saturday’s round with Hansen brought that aspect to the forefront.

Hansen made his presence known after every good shot he made, but

when he struggled, humorously enough, all of a sudden he turned dead

silent.

By the middle of our round, we had started up an unofficial

long-drive competition on every tee shot. He would make a comment if

he out drove me, and I would do the same if I had bettered him.

On the last hole, a par-5, we decided to let loose. I powered a

solid drive, while Hansen slipped during his swing and shanked it

left. Still, he bet me that we would get the same score on the hole,

and, indeed, we did, both carding bogeys.

Hansen shed some more light on the club after our round, of which

he topped me, 84-87. Of course, it was the first time I had broke 90

in my life, so I was pleased.

“We have retired people, doctors, lawyers, teachers, all types of

people here,” said Hansen, a Newport Beach attorney. “It’s a very

good group of guys.”

And so I concluded one of my first golf assignments. I will be

playing about once a month with the Costa Mesa Men’s Club.

Of course, I will also be looking into other facets of golf in the

Newport-Mesa community. If you have any golf news, thoughts or

opinions, please call me at (714) 966-4613 or e-mail me at

[email protected].