Paul Ladin

George O'Mara and Justin Fortune, heavyweights who lost their last bouts against big-name opponents, will square off in the 10-round co-main event of the boxing show Oct. 25 at the Warner Center Marriott. O'Mara (16-16-1), a part-time actor from Van Nuys, lost a unanimous decision to former heavyweight champion Mike Weaver in a bout for the National Boxing Assn. title in July. Fortune (11-3-1) of Australia is coming off a loss to former world champion Lennox Lewis.

Eight years ago at the U.S. Senior Open, Paul Ladin glanced at the leaderboard as he approached the ninth hole at the Oakland Hills Country Club in Birmingham, Mich., and saw his name atop the list. His lead over such famed golfers as Jack Nicklaus, Chi Chi Rodriguez and Arnold Palmer was short-lived. Ladin bogeyed the ninth hole and went from two-under par after eight holes to missing the cut by one stroke. It was his best finish in four Senior Open appearances.

Eight years ago at the U.S. Senior Open, Paul Ladin glanced at the leaderboard as he approached the ninth hole at the Oakland Hills Country Club in Birmingham, Mich., and saw his name atop the list. His lead over such famed golfers as Jack Nicklaus, Chi Chi Rodriguez and Arnold Palmer was short-lived. Ladin bogeyed the ninth hole and went from two-under par after eight holes to missing the cut by one stroke. It was his best finish in four Senior Open appearances.

George O'Mara and Justin Fortune, heavyweights who lost their last bouts against big-name opponents, will square off in the 10-round co-main event of the boxing show Oct. 25 at the Warner Center Marriott. O'Mara (16-16-1), a part-time actor from Van Nuys, lost a unanimous decision to former heavyweight champion Mike Weaver in a bout for the National Boxing Assn. title in July. Fortune (11-3-1) of Australia is coming off a loss to former world champion Lennox Lewis.

Paul Ladin of Westlake Village slipped to a second-round 75 to finish one stroke behind winner Ed Rieu of Bermuda Dunes in the 17th Southern California Golf Assn. senior amateur championship at Rolling Hills Country Club in Rolling Hills Estates. Ladin, the State Senior Amateur champion in 1993, finished at 146. Jerome Chirpich of Granada Hills shot a five-over 75 to finish in a two-way tie for ninth at 150. Joe O'Neill of Northridge shot 74-77--151.

The Southern California Golf Assn.'s creme de la creme will will compete Monday in the 20th Tournament of Club Champions at North Ranch Country Club. The 18-hole event, which begins at 10 a.m., includes 95 men's club champions from the Southland. Several area standouts have qualified, including 1993 State Senior Amateur champion Paul Ladin of Westlake Village (champion of The Quarry at La Quinta), David Saylor of West Hills (Wood Ranch CC) and Mike Turner of Sherman Oaks (Woodland Hills CC).

In the parlance of the players, the Hacienda Golf Club in La Habra Heights is a ball-tracker's course. The site of the 95th Southern California Golf Assn. Amateur Championship, which begins at 7 a.m. today and includes nearly two dozen players with area ties, isn't particularly long, hilly, hazard-heavy or punitive. However, because Hacienda was constructed in 1919-20, a premium is placed on accuracy.

What is this, football? Hockey? Maybe whatever passes for pro basketball these days? Paul Ladin of Westlake Village had just finished the second round of the State Senior Amateur Championship when he began tossing around words like aggressive and attack , terms not typically associated with the genteel game of golf. In short, Ladin said he played defensively and promised it wouldn't happen again. Today, he attacks--even if he dies trying.

Angela Eckmier, a 6-foot-2 middle blocker for the Van Nuys High volleyball team, has committed to UCLA. The two-time All-City Section selection chose the Bruins over Washington, Colorado and Arizona. "Something at UCLA has made it the place for me," said Eckmier, who has targeted UCLA since the recruiting process began. "I love the coaching staff and the players are great. I'm thrilled." Eckmier was a Times' all-region selection last season.

After making his first and only birdie putt of the day, an eight-footer on the 18th hole at Poppy Hills Golf Course, Paul Ladin raised a hand over his head and barked loud enough to rattle the dishes in the clubhouse kitchen. "Finally," he said. His play wasn't that bad. Not by a long shot. Ladin fired a one-over-par 73 Wednesday, good for fourth place after the first round of the 3rd State Senior Amateur Championship, for players 55 and older.

It started as idle banter between shots. It grew into half-serious joking. A trio of Valley area players, with applause for another ringing in their ears, were more than a little distracted by the boisterous gallery following the group behind them in the third round of the 95th Southern California Golf Assn. Amateur Championship. Another cheer. Another.