I joined Victoria Club in 1989 and have served on every committee at the club and was president there in 2000. I have really enjoyed my time there. The club started in 1903 and has never been in another location. There are older clubs in So. Cal, but none are on their original property.

How did you get involved with the SCGA?

I started with the SCGA as a Course Rating Committee member in 1987. I then went on the board in 1995 and got immediately involved with the Rules and Competitions Committee.

Talk about your role with the SCGA Foundation?

I was asked by the board in 2002 to revive the SCGA Foundation which had started in 1983, but wasn’t active. So, I chaired the steering committee to get it going. The Foundation now is focused on Youth On Course and has signed up 3,800 kids to play on 123 golf facilities for $1-$5 green fees. We also gave $80,000 in scholarships this year to 27 kids who are affiliated with Youth On Course. We have now given $230,000 in five years to help under-privileged kids go to college. Our GAME club—which stands for Golf, Awareness, Mentoring and Education—allows kids from the six First Tee organizations in Southern California and the Tiger Woods Learning Center to play some of the finest golf courses in So. Cal—Los Angeles CC, Bel Air CC, Sherwood CC, Hacienda GC and Wilshire CC—with a member as a mentor.  

Why are you a member of the California Seniors’ Golf Association?

I have really felt lucky to be a part of the California Seniors GA. The tournaments are wonderful and the camaraderie of the members is demonstrated by the very successful social events at the tournament.

 

Rich Simonion

How have you given back to the game of golf?

I have been on the Board of Directors of Victoria Club, and the committee chair over the years of our Green Committee, Membership Committee, Tournament Committee and have now been on our Finance committee since my board term ended five years ago. I feel that all of us who have benefited from this game, if we have the time, should give back in some way, and I have chosen to do so in my 25+ years at the Victoria Club.

How did you get started in golf?

I was never involved in any type of junior golf program, nor did I ever play competitively in high school or college. Once I graduated from USC in 1975 I was looking for a competitive outlet. At USC, I played on three national championship baseball teams in my four years, but knew that injuries—and lack of big talent—was going to take my life in another direction. Since I enjoyed golf, it seemed like a perfect place to remain competitive and have fun … and the rest is history.

How long have you been playing competitive amateur golf?

I have been playing in social and state events since the mid 80’s and have grown to have great respect for all the hard work the SCGA has done for amateur golf. Everyone who has been a part of the amateur leadership with the SCGA, NCGA and USGA has made it possible for the rest of us to have such wonderful opportunities.

Who comprises of your dream foursome?

My dream foursome would include my Dad so he could play with his favorite player Julius Boros. The fourth player would be anyone who wants to play a nice round of golf either in the early morning or late afternoon on a wonderful course. Life doesn’t get much better than that.

Why are you a member of the California Seniors’ Golf Association?

Because of all the hard work put into the tournaments; I have been in charge of a few and know how much effort goes into these events so that it can all look “effortless” for the rest of us.