History of Our Club

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In 1999, Ray Sandoval Sr. established the Seniors South Bay Golf Club to provide a haven for recently retired individuals tired of battling weekend crowds and high costs at golf courses. Drawing from his experience as a member and board member of other clubs, Ray identified a gap in the market for retired golfers. 

 

His primary aim was to establish a club that scheduled tournaments during weekdays, capitalizing on less crowded golf courses and more affordable green fees. Secondly, he sought to infuse a sense of freshness and excitement into the game for members. Ray observed that many men's clubs tended to stick to the same home course, same format, month after month. To counter this monotony, he structured monthly tournaments at various courses throughout Southern California and introduced diverse formats periodically. This approach not only exposed members to new challenges from different venues but also acquainted them with a variety of formats and friendly wagers, ensuring an engaging and dynamic golfing experience.

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Above all, Ray's true mission was to foster a sense of community through golf. He envisioned a club where individuals could forge new connections while enjoying the game with both new acquaintances and old friends.

 

For Ray Sr., golf was more than just a sport—it was a means of promoting camaraderie, building friendships, and reinforcing existing bonds. He aimed to create a club where the joy of golf transcended the course, regardless of where or how members played, ensuring that every round was enjoyable and left them eager for more.

 

So in 1999, along with 16 charter members he founded the Seniors South Bay Golf Club. Those 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. 

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From its modest beginnings, the club has flourished, now boasting over 60 members due to its reputation as a welcoming and efficiently managed organization. Achieving Affiliate Club status with the Southern California Golf Association in January 2000 was a milestone moment.

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The club conducts monthly tournaments in the regions of  Los Angeles/Long Beach, Orange County, Riverside, and the Inland Empire. In addition we have two "away" three day tournaments in the Palm Springs and Solvang areas.  The Club also conducts a Championship Series during the summer to determine its Champion. 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 retiree, 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.

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