The month of May brings the many golf leagues for seniors to take over morning tee times at Sun City’s Whisper Creek Golf Club, in time for the longest days of sunlight.
The Sun City golf course offers, for the women include Ladies in the Sun, Birdie Bunch, and Whisper Lites (handicap and non-handicap). Also, for the men, Early Birds, Niners, Flying Aces and Prime Time. One informal men’s golf group is Sin City.
“It ebbs and flows. The leagues are in their second week of 21 weeks of competition to late September. The Ladies in the Sun, Prime Time and Flying Aces have end-of-the season tournaments,” Whisper Creek Golf Club Head Golf Professional Tony Malatesta said.
One of the golfers hitting the course for opening day of league play was Scott Fisher.
“I enjoy it,” Fisher said of the Prime Time Tuesday league. “I’m 74 and have played McHenry County courses for a long time. I think it’s the mental aspects of the game. The good shots will come, I don’t get mad.”
He had prep success and was a pioneer of sorts at McHenry County College.
“I made districts at McHenry West, playing four years for Del Adams and was on the first men’s golf team at MCC,” Fisher said.
One of his playing partners on opening day, Frank Giardina, had a chance to celebrate, as he finished the nine holes with a birdie putt.
Some golfers were new to the league while others had played for a few years. They arrive about an hour after sunrise, at 6:30 a.m., and hit the putting green.
“I enjoy it and am working on my putting,” Tim McDonnell commented.
“I was doing well today until the last three holes,” Rick Paulson said. “It’s a good league and well-run.”
“I love it,” five-year member Rich Cook said of the league.
It was a cold Monday morning for mid-May, with a wind chill about 32 degrees, but that did not stop the Early Birds’ members from their 18-holes of golf.
“It’s a fun group, based on your handicap,” Steve Desmarais said.
“I’ve been working on the handicap and have had a couple of good rounds now.”
His partner for the day, Lyle Emery, agreed; it’s a good group of guys.
The more informal group is known as Sin City.
“It was organized about 20 years ago,” Harlan Tiesman said. “It’s a non-sanctioned league, just for fun and $10. We have a lot of good golfers.”
