"Golf is the closest game to the game we call life.
You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots
– but you have to play the ball where it lies." - Bobby Jones
IN MEMORY OF RAY SANDOVAL
"THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD"
March 11, 1944 - April 23, 2014
Ray Sandoval Sr. was the founder of our club. After being both a member and board member of other golf clubs Ray felt there was a need for a club that catered to the "Senior" golfer. Ray had grown weary of playing tournaments on weekends when golf courses were the most crowded and the costs were the highest. So his first objective was to create a club that held its tournaments during the week when golf courses were less crowded and green fees were more affordable.
Second, was to make golf fresh and exciting to the members. In Ray's experience most Men's clubs just played their home course month in and month out with the same format at the same venue. Ray made it a point to have monthly tournaments scheduled at different courses all across Southern California. He also thought it would be fun for members if the formats were changed occasionally as well. Thus, introducing the members to new challenges from different venues as well as learning all the different formats and "bets" that would keep the club fun, the members interested, and the game of golf vibrant. Finally, Ray's real mission was to promote community through golf. He wanted a club where individuals could meet and play with new people as well as their friends. This goal of promoting golf while creating new friendships and strengthening old ones was what Ray Sr. felt golf was really about. He wanted a club that no matter where you played, who you played with or what type of format you were using it made the game of golf enjoyable and kept you coming back for more. Ray was a self-taught golfer who loved golf for the challenge to the individual, as well as, the friendly competition between golfers. He loved placing a friendly wager, telling a good joke and generally just promoting the game. Ray laid the groundwork for our club and if not for his foresight, passion and hard work the SSBGC would not be nor continue to be as successful as it is today. Every October we honor his memory with the annual three day Ray Sandoval Sr. Memorial Tournament in Solvang, CA.
JIM DETOSKEY
November 3, 1942 - May 24, 2016
Jim Detoskey was a member of the Senior South Bay Golf Club since 2003. Jim served as the tournament director for the club and then chairman after Ray Sandoval passed away.
To say Jim looked out for the best interest of the club would be an understatement. As tournament director Jim was tenacious, always negotiating the best possible deal. When Ray Sr. passed Jim took the reins as chairman of the club and if not for his leadership the club would never have continued to remain as strong as it did. Jim tirelessly promoted the club and through his hard work, membership expanded by leaps and bounds. Under his leadership the club grew to the largest it had ever been, over 65 members strong. Single-handedly he was the main person responsible for the high attendance at our tournaments. He would diligently call members to promote the club tournaments and in essence, will our members to come out and play. Jim also was responsible for setting up our May tournament at the Sycuan Casino and Golf resort. Unfortunately he passed before he had the chance to play in it. Since then we renamed the May getaway tournament in his honor. Jim was the standard of what a good friend and great club member is, he will be sorely missed.
Ben Nickleberry
November 10, 1935 - June 13, 2020
A toast to our friend Ben
Here is to your dedication to the endless pursuit of the perfect game.
Here is to your fond memories of the challenges of the greens and the trials of its traps.
And now the last putt has dropped into the cup of life and the light of the day has faded.
Lord, it is now on your fairways of glory that the game will continue to be played for Ben.
May his soul Rest In Peace.
"God, What is my fascination with this game?
Is it the outdoors – the green fairways, the blue skies, the lakes and trees, the feel of the breeze across my face?
Is it the friends with whom I play – their companionship, their encouragement, the conversation between holes, the silence as we wait our turn?
Is it the game – the balance between grace and skill and power, the striving for perfection, the loft of the ball, the precision of the putt?
Or is it all of these, and in these, meditations about all of life – harmony, friendship, balance, and – every once in awhile – the perfect shot and a glorious Amen."
Larry Boone
October 20, 1939 -
August 2020
Life is like a round of golf,
with many a turn and twist.
But the game is much too sweet and short,
to curse the shots you missed.
Dear friend, may your soul rest in peace.
Phillip Gerrity
January 7, 1948 - March 2021
Mike Adrid
December 26, 1946 - August 3, 2021
To our dear friend Mike.
Playing golf will never be the same without you.
Your laugh, your stories, your sayings,
and most of all your friendship will be missed.
For all the times you swung a club,
for the many friends you made and the game you loved.
For the patience you found in sand and rough,
and for the excitement you had for making the shots that were tough.
For success wasn't measured in holes in one,
but the times we shared when having fun.
God Bless you Mike.
"Sweet Jesus Palomino", you will be missed.
May your soul rest in peace.
Wayne Palmer
May 7, 1956 - July 2024
To our dear friend Wayne,
You played the game with a thirst to always learn. You always had a calmness and gentle demeanor about you. When you laughed your smile it up the room. May your soul rest in peace and may you enjoy the eternal clubhouse of the Lord.
Life is like a round of golf, with many twists and turns
But the game is much too sweet and short, to curse the shots you’ve missed
Sometimes you’ll hit it straight and far, sometimes the puts run true
But each round has its wayward shots, and troubles to play through
So always swing with heart and courage, no matter what the lie
And never let the hazards destroy the joy inside
And keep a song within your heart, give thanks that you can play
For the round is far too short and sweet, to let it slip away.
So, if this is the last time We speak, then may I say,
Life with you was good, my friend, And I’ll see you on the 19th one day.