Toshiba tops own record

Mathis Winkler

NEWPORT BEACH -- Topping its own record for charitable giving, the

Toshiba Senior Classic golf tournament raised $1.035 million this year,

tournament officials announced Monday.

In 2000, net proceeds -- 100% of which are donated to charities --

came to $1.011 million and made history as the largest sum ever at a

Senior PGA Tour event. No other tournament has been able to reach the

$1-million mark since the Senior Tour started 22 years ago.

“From a philanthropic standpoint, we raised the bar so high last year

we weren’t sure we could surpass it,” said Jake Rohrer, who co-chaired

the tournament, adding that he was pleased with the new “charitable

benchmark” the event had established.

Most of the money -- $900,000 -- will go to Hoag Hospital, which has

served as the tournament’s organizing charity since 1998.

Hospital officials will use the donation to help pay for a new,

$100-million Women’s Pavilion that will combine Hoag’s health services

for women under one roof. It is set to open in 2004.

About 65,000 spectators attended the event, officials added. About

1,200 volunteers donated their time to make the tournament possible.

The tournament took place between Feb. 26 and March 4 at Newport Beach

Country Club and Jose Maria Canizares outlasted Gil Morgan in a nine-hole

playoff to take this year’s title.

“When golf’s legends visit Orange County, they generate a level of

excitement that draws fans, sponsors and charity dollars in record

numbers,” said Jeff Purser, who directs the tournament. “The players

continue to demonstrate their support and put on a great show every year.

The fans appreciate that, and so do we.”

In the last four years, the tournament has raised more than $3.5

million for 21 different charities.

2001 Toshiba Senior Classic proceeds go to:

* Hoag Hospital: $900,000

* Explorer Scouts of Orange County: $36,774

* Orangewood Children’s Foundation: $35,000

* Tom Watson’s charity Children’s Mercy Hospital: $20,000

* Scholarships to local students: $17,500

* Southern California PGA Foundation: $10,000

* Senior Tour Wives Assn.: $6,726

* Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International: $4,000

* Los Angeles Conservation Corps: $3,500

* Corona del Mar High School golf team: $1,500

GRAND TOTAL: $1,035,000