Wen & I also met Neil through the Singles Golf Group.  I think Neil always had his bags packed for a getaway weekend.  For years, the group would go to Stallion Springs up in Tehachapi.  One round our foursome was playing ahead of Neil's.  Wen moved the men's tee markers back so far that if Neil had stood behind them he would have fallen into the lake.  He threw a fit because he thought that was where he had to play from.  He always chipped up just short of the green so he could have a chance at a one putt to win the pot for lowest number of putts.  Another memory I have is when we were playing a little whoop-your-butt course in Santa Paula.  Wen & I were paired with Diane Mattulat & Neil and had waited a bit to tee off.  There were other groups hanging around too, and the course was really backed up that day.  Neil got up to the tee and absolutely drilled his ball into a metal sign just off to the left -- about 10 ft. away.  I'm not sure he ever lived that shot down.  Neil was indeed one of the good guys and will be missed.  Condolences to his family and the rest of his many friends.
Leslie (Lorden) & Wen Rawlings

I also knew Neil though the LA Golf Singles group since 1996.  He was a great guy and fun to play golf with. One of my favorite memories of Neil was during golf if you mentioned a phrase or like Sam said 3 words, he would break into singing the song that had those 3 words or phrase. The last time I had a chance to visit with Neil was at last year's LA Golf Singles golf and Super Bowl event.  It was so good to see him. Sadly I did not get a chance to visit him in Arizona.  The other thing I remember was calling he and his 2 favorite buddies (Sam & John Kinas) the 3 Musketeers.  They almost always drove together to the away golfing events and seemed to always be lost. We wouldn't follow them!! I will remember Neil Fondly and miss him.

My sympathies to Robin and Adam and your families.  Neil and I were friends through our LAGolf Singles days and car pooled to many events and got lost at more than I should admit to.  Neither of us had a great sense of direction and two adventures that stand out in my memory were trying to find the restaurant near the Black Lake Resort and trying to find the golf course in Wickenburg, AZ where we made it just in time, although I had to play in street shoes.  I also used to joke him that his cat Vinny was a figment of his imagination since I never saw him, supposedly hid under the bed; yeh sure!  Neil was a great friend with a very  practical way of looking at and experiencing and enjoying life.   I'll remember him fondly.

I met Neil through LA Golf Singles and always had fun golfing when he was around. We were not the best golfers but we always had fun.  
The club had a golf outing in the Santa Barbara area for the weekend.  After our club dinner I decided to go visit the local casino.  Just to check it out. Lo and behold Neil was also participating in the local scene. Where ever the club had a golf outing, Primm, San Diego, Palm Springs I will eventually run in to Neil in the local casino.
Neil was also an intuitive horse handicapper. I will have the racing form and study it trying to find an angle and all Neil will do is look at the tote board and place his bet. Most of the time he would be in the money. Amazing.  One time at Fantasy Springs, he just kept picking winners. Different track another winner. He just had a knack for it.
From time to time I would go to Hollywood Park and walk through the casino area to the track. I would usually see Neil playing poker.  He probably has been playing there for years but I did not him at the time. Between hands I would give him my greetings and say hello.  Most of the time he would be seated to the left of the dealer in the third position. I thought it was his lucky seat. Between hands the horse runners (ladies that will place bets for the poker players) will come by and Neil would place his bet. Wow, I thought, he can bet without even knowing what horse to bet on. I went over to greet him and looked up. He position himself so he can watch all horse racing track from his seat. 
He also had a fund raiser for the City of Hope, Marina del Rey chapter at Hollywood Park.  
Neil also had a interesting point of view on sporting events of the day. He was way better than the local pundits. I always enjoyed talking with him.
Neil was a friend, golfing buddy and all around sportsmen. I will miss him.

I met Neil also through the LA  Golf Singles.  We played golf both inside and outsdie the L A golf group.  I lived in the Inland Valley, but he didn't care, he would call me and invite me to join him and his buds (Nancy and Sam).  One of our most fun times was when a group of 8 of us took a golfing vacation to Hawaii.  What great fun we had  golfing, eating, drinking, snorkling and laughing on that trip....it bonded us for sure.  I had about a 50 handicap at that time, but Neil always encouraged me, telling me those 7's that I was so happy about, would some day be bad holes for me. And he was right, I finally did become a better golfer. Wish he could have seen my improvement.  I eventurally married and left the singles golf group, but later met up again with Sam and Nancy who kept me abreast of Neil. He was a great friend. 

Dolly Lund Harty

My wife, Venetia, and I met Neil through LA Golf Singles. We have visited him in Surprise and he has visited us and the Kinas's here in Tucson. We will miss his warmth and good stories. 
He was fun to be with. He had a dry sense of humor and a quick wit.
We send our condolences to his family and friends.

I have known Neil since 1991.  Our businesses were in the same building.  We referred clients to each other.  Neil was funny, sarcastic yet very genuine.  Just a guy with a great heart.  He  is missed.

Val Velasco, Esq.

Neil and I go back to 1991. We were members of the LA Golf Singles.  I lived in Santa Monica and he in Plays del Ray so we hung out a lot together. We would alternate driving to the golf events along with John Kinas. 
Friday night was movie night in Santa Monica . We must have shared over 500 movies and meals over the years.   He loved music especially from the Rock 'n Roll era. He could name the tune given 3 notes.  If golf was Neil's first passion, horse racing was his second.  He knew how to pick winners. 
When Neil move to Arizona where I had lived for 25 years, I visited several times. We golfed Sun City Grand where I met many of his friends. I watch neil play bocce a few times . I was not surprized to find that he was pretty good at it since he was a good bowler too.Neil golfednot only for the love of the game but to be with his extended family of friends -especially Jackie, Karen, Leslie et. al.. He loved TV and sports. Hie favorite golf event was the Super bowl party w ith the LA Golf Singles.  
Neil also loved to play poker and was good at it. Neil had a spinal deformation since birth but never let his handicap stop his enjoyment of life.  He had a handicap placard but would never use it. He would park and walk like everyone else and leave the Handicap spaces space avilable for others.   That's the kind of man he was-that was Neil.
I'll miss that guy.  He was a good friend.

Sam DiLullo

Neil was just a good guy.  Helped me many times with rides, advice, maybe a smile or leer.  As Neil would say, ...what do you care, just hit the ball and let's go.  Miss you Neil.

Neil was a great friend...he and I shared many fun times over the past 5 years, playing golf, bocce & cards. I will miss him and the dinners we used to have.

OBITUARY

Neil Monick

August 9, 1943 – January 20, 2013

Phoenix Memorial Park & Mortuary

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