We are saddened to learn that another long time Valero Golf Club member John Ortiz passed away on Saturday, July 5th, 2025 at age 78.
In reviewing his time with the club we find that he played with us for over fifty years from 1972 to the present.
His firsts: the first tournament he won was the Kennedy tournament in 1972. His first CP win came at Blue Rock Springs in 1977, his first LD came at Franklin Canyon in 1977.
In Major Tournament play he won the Pyramid Tournament in 1977 and again in 1990, he won the Winners Tournament in 1989.
Other achievements John attained were: Points Champion in 1977 and 1984, Scoring Champion in 1979, most tournament wins for the year in 1977 and 1984, most improved handicap index in 2007, and runner-up in 1979, 1984, 1985 and 1987, runner-up for the most improved player in 1997 and 2007, runner-up for the player of the period 1989 thru 1992. In Best-Ball tournament play he and partner Darwin Richey won the very first BB tournament the club held at Blue Rock Springs. He went on with partner Steve Blotzer to win The BB events at Blue Rock – West in 1998 and the BB at Foxtail – N in 2004. He was on the winning Tom Stead Scramble tournament teams in 1987, 1999, 2003, 2012, 2014 and 2015.
John liked to play in head to head matches. He played in every Pyramid Tournament from 1976 to 2008 playing in 68 matches winning 42 times. He won the Pyramid Tournament in 1977 over Mike Cook and again in 1990 over Phil Eubanks and Bob Bohnet. He finished runner up in 1989 with partner Jim Grant (BB) to Phil Eubanks and Don Scribner, in 1995 and 2007 to Neal Stachowicz and in 1998 and 1999 to Mike Cook. He also had third place finishes in 1979, 1991 and 2006.
John won the Winners Tournament in 1989 at Boundary Oak GC over Mike & Sandie Cook playing in a rain and lightning storm which stopped play after nine holes.
John’s final stats showed 22 tournament wins, 71 top 3 finishes, 294.5 tournament points, 3 Major wins, 75.22 career scoring average, 13 Closest to the Pins, 23 Long Drives, 47 birdies, 1 eagle and 42 Pyramid match wins.
John was our co-Tournament Director with Dave Pearce from 1975 to 1978 and then by himself from 1979 – 1980. He also filled in the last half of 1984 when Tom Palilonis left and 1988 when Drew Paterson left.
John could win anywhere, he had wins at the following courses; Bethel Island, Blue Rock Springs, Boundary Oak, Cypress Lakes, Delta View, Diablo Creek, Franklin Canyon, Green Tree, Indian Valley, Kennedy, Mountain Shadows – N and Tilden where he had a low net score of 61.
I played a lot of golf over the years with John, I first played with him in the early seventies when he and Dave Pearce invited me to play with them at Blue Rock Springs one afternoon. I was just starting to play and I found out quickly that they could play very well. I noticed right away the way that John concentrated on his shots especially putting, he reminded me of Jack Nicklaus, very intense, nothing would bother him. He had a very strong swing, you could tell by the way the ball sounded after he hit it. I played him in a lot of matches over the years and you knew you would always have your hands full playing him. I will miss those matches and especially miss John.
Mike Cook
John was deservedly inducted into the Valero Golf Club Hall of Fame in 2003.
