47^th Annual OCWA Golf Tournament
at Strawberry Farms Golf Club

‘Calm Before the Storm’

By Michael J. Sinacori

The 47^th Annual Golf Tournament was held on Monday, June 1^st, at the Strawberry Farms Golf (SFGC).

As I said at the event, on behalf of the OCWA Board and the Golf Committee we wish to thank all the participants who attended this wonderful event. We are one of the few association-type tournaments that has taken place for this length of time and that is all made possible by the generous support of our Sponsors over the years. 124 players again enjoyed the picture-perfect weather day with the course in great playing condition.

We have already secured our day for next year on June 7th, 2027. Please mark your calendars as we have already submitted our deposit! I would also encourage early sign up as we expect the event will fill quickly, as it did this year.  Look for our email to sponsors in early February 2027.  The golfer rate will remain $200 per player and the sponsorship rate will go up slightly to $400.  Still an exceptional deal considering what the top courses are charging today.

EVENT PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING ON THE OCWA WEBSITE.
If you’d like high resolution images for printing, you may email a request to timhogan.socal@gmail.com 

The awards ceremony began at about 2:30, where spring roll appetizers were there greeting the players off the course. Shortly thereafter a fiesta taco plate was served to everyone, and boy was that good.  The two Las Vegas holes this year, along with the putting contest, gave everyone a chance to win some of the $10,000 worth of prizes. We gave away rounds of golf, numerous individual clubs, and a complete set of irons. Not to mention all the other great opportunity prizes! Each par 3 had a closest to the pin contest and there were two long drive contests.

Prizes were awarded to the top three low gross players and the top three in two separate flights for net players. It was a wonderful day as always and we are already looking forward to next year! No matter what your index is, we always strive to do better than the last time and there is always the shot, or two, or ten that we want back. I wish I could go replay holes No. 11 (Triple) and 12 (Double).  Every year I say I am going to do better next year.  Honestly, this was the most organized we ever have been and it showed in my golf score!  I took the below photo at the beginning of the event admiring the beauty of the golfers all warming up.  I sat high up on the hill calmly chipping a bit by myself, which I could only do because things were going perfectly at check-in!   I truly believe the OCWA Golf event is one of the most enjoyable in the industry. I know it is for me, though my score is always higher than it should be.  

As noted, next year is booked for June 7th 2027. Mark your calendars and sign up early!

This year we had something amazing happen.  One of the players (Jim Anderson, Ramona Valley County Water District) couldn’t make it so he sent his college-age daughter Hannah who is on the golf team at California State University San Marcos.  We knew we were in trouble when we noticed her name engraved on her college team leather golf bag.  I jokingly told her to “take it easy on us please”.  She laughed.   Clearly, she didn’t listen as she WON the event with an even par 71 gross score.  Even more amazing is she won the long drive contest on both holes!  Glad we helped a college student this year!   

Event Winners (Scores)

1st Low Gross (71)
Hannah Anderson
Ramona Municipal Water District (Guest)

2nd Low Gross (72)
Phil Lawler
Moulton Niguel Water District (Retired)

3rd Low Gross (76)
Kevin Cullen
West Basin Municipal Water District

1st Low Net Flight “A” (78/70)
Dale Houts
West Lake Pipe and Fittings

2nd Low Net Flight “A” (78/70)
Michael Sinacori
City of Newport Beach

3rd Low Net Flight “A” (78/71)
Justin Simmons
Cla-Val Company

1st Low Net Flight “B” (112/72)
Ralph Guida
Guida Surveying

2nd Low Net Flight “B” (108/72)
Tom Pilarski
Walnut Valley Water District

3rd Low Net Flight “B” (94/73)
Randy Jimenez
San Gabriel Valley Water District

Putting Contest (5 putts)
Phil Lawler
Moulton Niguel Water District (Retired)

Long Drive Hole No. 4
Hannah Anderson
Ramona Municipal Water District (Guest)

Long Drive Hole No. 12
Hannah Anderson
Ramona Municipal Water District (Guest)

Closest to the Pin No. 3 (10'-1")
Alicia Sylvester
Mainline Sales

Closest to the Pin No. 7 (2'-8")
Angel Bautista

Closest to the Pin No. 11 (5'-4")
Deven Upadhyay
Dopudja and Wells

Closest to the Pin No. 15 (3'-0")
Tyler Kim

Closest to the Pin No. 17 (2'-4")
Sean Larson
Stantec

A big part of the day’s success was due to the help provided by the many volunteers. We’re indebted to Jill Zander and Claudia Toro from Michael Baker International, Elizabeth Hand from Verdantas (formerly Leighton), and Chelsea Taylor and Intern Makhenna August from Dopudja and Wells for their tireless assistance to ensure the event’s success.  We also had Jenna Heim from Core & Main who was exceptional at handling check-in.

Special thanks to the Golf Committee Members. These unsung golf heroes make the event what it is. Please give any one of the committee members a call if you have suggestions on how to make this event even better next year. Also, a special thanks to the Strawberry Farms Golf Club for their generous hospitality and the extraordinary effort they provided to help make our Tournament such a resounding success.

The OCWA Board and Golf Committee would like to thank all the 42 sponsors that made the event possible. Without their contribution, the fiesta awards ceremony and prizes would not be possible. Their addresses and phone numbers are in the OCWA Directory.

CLICK HERE FOR A LISTING OF ALL OUR SPONSORS

And with that, thanks for playing and see you next year!

Golf Committee:

Mike Sinacori – Chairman – (949) 644-3342

Malcolm Cortez – Tee Signs and Putting Contest – (949) 453-5551

Jeff Hull – Prizes and Las Vegas Hole Logistics – (714) 904-3819

Chuck Borkman – Prizes and Putting Contest – (949) 933-8905

Dennis Cafferty – Scoring & General Oversite – (949) 837-7050, Ext 223

Derek Kurtti – OCWA Board Liaison & Prizes – (805) 550-9656