Golf column, Nicklaus reportedly up for grabs at Diners Club

Matches Pro-Am

It is billed as the Ultimate Pro-Am, part of a golf orgy at the

Diners Club Matches.

Unlike most big-ticket golf tournaments, the Diners Club Matches Pro-Am

Dec. 10 at Pelican Hill Golf Club will hold a true blind draw, with the

exception of one amateur playing spot reserved for Diners Club CEO

William Frieselle, who reportedly will be selecting a member of the LPGA

Tour.

Everybody else is up for grabs in what is believed to be the most

extravagant golf pro-am ever in the Newport Beach area with its

$6,000-per-player price tag.

But it appears organizers have picked the right neighborhood to relaunch

the event (it was on hiatus last year), because less than 10 pro-am spots

are available out of 56, according to tournament administrator Kimberly

Haller.

“The Ultimate Pro-Am” is how it reads on the sales letter, and aside from

the aforementioned first-round pick, every other pro or celebrity name

will be in the hat during the Draw Party, including Jack Nicklaus, Tom

Watson, Fred Couples, Phil Mickelson, Robert Loggia, James Woods, Joe

Pesci, Andy Garcia, Jimmy Connors and Mel Gibson.

Yes, you could play with Nicklaus.

“(The Diners Club) is permitted to make one selection to Bill Frieselle,

because they’re the title sponsor (paying in excess of $1 million) and

we’re contractually obligated to that,” tournament director Gary Pollard

said. “But it’s a true blind draw. All of the players have been told

about (the one selection).”

In addition, those playing in the pro-am will enjoy a practice round at

Pelican Hill the day before (Dec. 9), which includes breakfast, a gift

pack, commemorative photo and VIP valet parking. Following play, golfers

will proceed to the Four Seasons Hotel in Newport Beach and receive two

invitations to the Draw Party, where they’ll find out who will play in

their foursome the next day.

Breakfast will also be served at Pelican Hill before the Diners Club

Matches Pro-Am (9:30 a.m. shotgun start). An awards dinner will follow

and on-course hospitality will be provided to golfers. Proceeds will

benefit UCI Athletics.

Pro-am participants will also receive 10 general admission badges (worth

$125 each) and two season patron badges for the Fairway Club ($325 each)

at the Diners Club Matches, televised by ABC Dec. 11-12.

Some of the celebrities are planning to attend the Draw Party, Pollard

said. Details: (949) 759-5175.

The Diners Club Matches will change title sponsorships next year and be

called the Lexus Matches.

Tournament officials are hopeful the event will return to Pelican Hill in

2000, but they’re willing to look at other courses.

The cost to play in the Diners Club Matches Pro-Am tops the $5,552 mark

of the Toshiba Senior Classic Pro-Am.

Costa Mesa Golf & Country Club is hosting a pre-holiday tent sale Dec.

4-5 (Saturday and Sunday) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with savings of 20% to

60% on all brands of clubs and merchandise.

Richard Dunn’s golf column appears every Thursday.