Over the extended Fourth of July week, the Little River Golf Course was very busy and jammed with golfers. Anyone in Mendocino, Ft. Bragg, or driving on Highway 1 also experienced the throngs of folks escaping the inland heat and celebrating the Fourth. The Little River course is not a suburban-like prototypical golf course. It was built in the 50s with D-9 caterpillars grading the fairways. It is unique in its layout, exciting, and fun to play. With so many folks playing the course last week, maybe for the first time, I was curious how they might react to their first experience on the course. I asked the Pro-Shop manager, Kathy Shepley, “Any reaction from first-time players, Kathy?” “They liked the course,” Kathy responded, “It’s in really good shape right now, and people liked the views and the layout. I didn’t hear any complaints, just praise.”
Last week, the coast was very warm compared to the 117-degree record-breaking high in Ukiah. How does warm weather affect the golf game? Well, when it’s 117, you don’t play, but reasonably warm temperatures benefit the game. Your body is looser and naturally more fluid in warm weather, say mid-70s to mid-80s. Research has also shown that the golf ball has a greater potential distance in warm air. Cold, dry air is denser than warm, moist air; therefore, the ball has less resistance to overcome warm air. A typical drive at 40 degrees goes 244.3 yards, whereas, at 80 degrees, the drive flies 251.9 yards, 7.6 yards further. According to studies, altitude has the most significant influence on distance. The golf ball travels an additional 4.5 yards for every thousand yards increase in elevation. So, playing my childhood course in McCloud, CA, at a 3,000-foot elevation and at an 80-degree temperature, I could hit my drive 21.1 yards further than at Little River. But I know you still have to make the putt.
Last week, Danny Hervilla took advantage of the warm weather, scoring 40 Stableford points on Wednesday and 45 on Friday. Danny, who is part of the family that owns the Little River Inn and golf course, had taken a long hiatus from golf but seems to be back in the saddle again. Forty and forty-five Stableford points mean you shot a pretty good round. On Wednesday, Danny drew Scott Deitz for second-place partner winners, with David Coddington and David Hautala placing first-place partners. On Friday, Danny drew Jim Corsar, and the pair, with 84 points, soared high in the sky above the second-place winners B. P. and Rob Rhead, with 69 points. Good golfing, Danny. Welcome back.
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