Golf: No golf carts for amateurs

NEWPORT BEACH - Senior PGA Tour rules official Skip Whittet said

Monday that all amateurs playing in the four Toshiba Senior Classic

Pro-Am rounds Wednesday and Thursday will not be allowed to use a golf

cart at Newport Beach Country Club.

Whittet said the recent rain, which made conditions unplayable Monday

and forced the cancellation of player practice rounds, has placed the

golf course in a vulnerable position for the upcoming pro-ams.

A total of 216 amateurs are expected to play in morning and afternoon

rounds Wednesday and Thursday with a Senior Tour player in the fivesome,

but only caddies and pull carts will be allowed for amateurs.

“We can’t put 100 or so golf carts out there, because it would destroy

the golf course,” Whittet said. “It’s not just for the (Toshiba Classic),

but for the members at the club.”

Members of the Senior Tour will be allowed to use a cart.

According to tournament director Jeff Purser, no amateur player has

missed a pro-am round in two years.

It’s the first time golf carts have been banned in the pro-am rounds

in Toshiba Classic history.

Amateurs were telephoned Monday by tournament officials and told about

the change.