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History of Our Club
The Seniors South Bay Golf Club was founded in 1999 by RAY SANDOVAL SR. for the
benefit of recently retired individuals who had become weary of having to play golf on weekends, when the golf courses were
crowded and the costs were the highest.
Starting with a group of ten Charter Members, the Club has grown at a manageable pace as its reputation
for being a friendly, well-run organization has spread from individual to individual.
The Club first applied for, and received, Affiliate Club status with the Southern California Golf
Association in January 2000.
In addition to conducting monthly tournaments throughout the year, the Club also conducts a Championship
Series during the summer to determine its Club Champions. The winners of this Series represent the Club
at the SCGA Club Champions Tournament at the end of the year.
Although primarily geared to serve the specific needs of the "senior" citizen, the Club does
accept applications from younger persons who enjoy playing golf during the week, when golf courses are the least crowded and green
fees are more affordable.
When Ray Sandoval Sr. retired he began
to look for a golf club that catered to retired golfers. Being both a member and a board member of other golf clubs Ray felt
that there was a niche for retired golfers that wasn't being fulfilled. So in 1999, along with 10 charter members he founded
the Senior South Bay Golf Club. For the record, the club members at the end of that first year were Jim Blasco, Larry Boone,
Eugene Dobos, Bill Epperson, Milan Kurutz, Ken Manes, Ed Morgan, Clifford Myers, Angelo Perla, Anthony and Art Riesgo, Ray
Sandoval Sr, Robert Shou, Robert Taylor, Paul Wargo, and Al Worley. Larry Boone
is the only currently active founding member.
IN MEMORY OF RAY SANDOVAL WHO PASSED AWAY WHILE CHAIRMAN OF THE CLUB BOARD: Ray had three main objectives
when he began the SSBGC. First, to promote golf for retired individuals who had become weary of playing on the weekends when
golf courses were the most crowded and the cost was the highest. Second, to make golf fresh and exciting to the club members.
Most clubs just played their home course month in and month out with the same format. 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 club members
if the formats were changed occasionally as well. Thus, introducing the club members to new challenges from the different
venues as well as learning all the different formats and "bets" 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. wanted golf to be all about. He wanted a club where 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 golf. 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. We honor his
memory with the annual 3 day Ray Sandoval Sr. Memorial Tournament in Solvang, CA.
IN MEMORY OF JIM DETOSKEY WHO ALSO PASSED AWAY WHILE CHAIRMAN OF THE CLUB BOARD: 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 passed Jim took the reins as chairman of the club and if not for his strong
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
before, 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 epitome of what
a good friend and club member is and will be sorely missed.
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