GOLF NOTEBOOK / STEVE KRESAL : Fate of County’s LPGA Event in Question

A year ago this month, the Los Coyotes Country Club in Buena Park welcomed back Pat Bradley, winner of the 1991 LPGA tournament, in fine fashion.

The club put on an elaborate luncheon and treated Bradley to several presentations.

First, a bell rang 30 times. Each ring signified one of Bradley’s LPGA victories.

The tribute, which brought tears to her eyes, is similar to what her mother does in Westford, Mass., each time Bradley wins.

The tournament committee also unveiled a plaque in a rock near the 18th green to commemorate the victory, which put Bradley in the LPGA Hall of Fame.

But thanks in part to Southern California’s struggling economy, the possibility of any more record-setting victories at Los Coyotes is in doubt.

LPGA officials told tour players last week that the stop--scheduled Sept. 30 to Oct. 3--had been postponed.

But all concerned say there is hope of the event being rescheduled in late February or March of 1994.

There were two main reasons for the tournament’s postponement this fall.

First, there was no title sponsor to help cover the event’s expenses, including a $550,000 purse.

Mainichi Broadcasting System was the sponsor the first three years but pulled out before last year’s event.

The tournament committee decided to press on last year with the help of several sponsors that made various financial commitments. But the group was less enthusiastic about doing the same this year because of rising costs.

“All the economic problems you read about are very true,” said Adam Saal, spokesman for the publicity firm representing the tournament. “But I know (course owner) Chuck McAuley is determined to make it work.”

The second reason for the move is the tournament committee’s hope to get the event televised.

The fall date directly competes with college and professional football. In the spring, the main concern would be the weather.

The LPGA isn’t willing to say much about the tournament of Los Coyotes, including specific dates.

“We’re still talking with the folks at Los Coyotes,” said Ty Votow, the LPGA’s special assistant to the commissioner. “Our (1994) schedule hasn’t come out yet. We’re still in discussion, so I don’t think it would be fair to say anything more.”

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Hall of Fame County: Seven of the last 10 women’s pro tournaments played in Orange County have been won by players who are now in the LPGA Hall of Fame.

JoAnne Carner won at Mesa Verde Country Club in Costa Mesa in 1979, the first year the tournament was played. Nancy Lopez won twice at Mesa Verde (1980 and ‘84) and twice more at Los Coyotes (1989-90).

Besides winning in 1991 at Los Coyotes, Bradley also won at Mesa Verde in 1981.

Who were the other three?

Bonnie Lauer won in 1985 and Mary Beth Zimmerman in 1986 at Mesa Verde and Nancy Scranton won at Los Coyotes last fall.

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Area Dominance: Orange County is being referred to as the junior golf capital these days, thanks to the outstanding accomplishments of Tiger Woods of Cypress and Kellee Booth of Coto de Caza.

Each won an USGA Junior Amateur title in recent weeks.

Although the accomplishment is impressive, it isn’t the first time two players from the same county have done it.

In 1978, Donald Hurter and Lori Castillo, both of Honolulu, took the titles.

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Bob May of Anaheim Hills is in fourth place in earnings on the Nike Tour after 22 of the 30 events.

May, who has won $94,276, can earn an exemption onto the PGA Tour next year if he can stay in the top 10 the rest of the way.

He has about a $7,000 lead over John Morse, who is fifth. Stan Utley leads the tour with $124,195.