On a cold, overcast day that belied glowing weather forecasts made to out-of-towners, 71-year-old Bob Spencer of Chandler, Arizona, blazed the links with an 80 over 16 holes Monday to take the California Blind Golf Classic at Rancho Maria by a storm.

Spencer 7 still a virtual unknown even after winning the B-2 division of the U.S. Open 7 won that division here by 10 strokes over Bill Davis of Alta Loma.

In the B-1 (totally blind) division, U.S. Open titleist Brian MacLeod of Truro, Nova Scotia, shot 91 to prevail by three strokes over Brad Eaton of Harwich, Massachusetts.

In B-3 division, Gary Stoner of Los Osos carded 103; Adelaide Ortega of Santa Barbara shot 115 in the women/s ranks, and in the seniors class George Pentland, 87, of San Diego shot 108.

&#8220The best shot I shot was on 17 and they made me pick it up and come in,C Spencer said. He included three pars on his round and avoided the disastrous holes which often bedevil blind golfers.

Spencer has entered three blind golf tournaments in his life 7 all since May 7 and he has won them all.

He only lost his sight last year. Before that, as a scratch golfer, he won 15 tournaments 7 many during service in the U.S. Marine Corps.

&#8220Just last April I found the U.S. Blind Golf Association on the Internet,C said Spencer/s wife Patty, who also serves as his coach.

&#8220We read about the Heather Farr Guide Dog tournament in Scottsdale. I asked him if he wanted to go. He said OK. He won it.C

Five months later, the Spencers ventured to the U.S. Open in North Carolina where he won again.

&#8220Playing with these people, I/m having more fun than I/ve ever had,C he grinned.

Spencer was part of a highly-credentialed B-2 field which included Davis 7 the division/s net champion at the Open 7 former world champion Dennis McCulloch of Winnipeg and defending local champion Roy Holt of Gilroy.

MacLeod 7 who finished early and was able to complete the course 7 shot 106 over 18 holes.

&#8220I wanted to come in under 100,C he grumbled. &#8220It was there. It was just the putting. I was driving well. I never hit a ball out of bounds.C MacLeod totaled 43 putts, 20% higher than his customary 35.

Among seniors, Pentland was declared the winner after he finished in a tie with George Jones of Hilton Head, South Carolina. Tie-breaker was performance over the final holes.

&#8220I had a great coach,C hollered Pentland, a crowd favorite for his raucous good nature and his attendance at all six California Classics. &#8220I had a 50-foot putt from off the green!C

Even after five previous blind golf tournaments, the opportunity to see blind golf in person was a new experience for many volunteers.

&#8220I was totally impressed,C said Brian Rodenhi of Los Osos. &#8220The patience that both players and coaches have was totally amazing.

&#8220I wish sighted golfers could play with that patience.C

Rodenhi noted that many of the coaches were players/ spouses.

&#8220Nobody ever raised their voice. If ever there was something to divide a marriage, it would be that,C he said.

Even the weather received positive reviews by participants.

&#8220I think it was a great tournament,C said Dennis Smith of Talladega, Alabama. &#8220The course is blind friendly. It/s straightforward. All your trouble is in front of you where you can see it.C Smith, a B-2 golfer, chuckled at that.

Nineteen blind and disabled golfers participated, an increase of three over last year. The event is the largest of its kind in the western states. A late start forced shortening the event by two holes.

Sports writer John McReynolds can be reached at 737-1055 or jmcreynolds@lompocrecord.com

October 25, 2005