Behind the scenes -- Newport Beach firefighters

-- Story by June Casagrande; photo by Don Leach

NAMES: Carlos Medina, Kevin Tiscareno, Ron Larson, Jim Jeziorski,

Justin Carr, Paul Matheis, Randy Smith and Les Wall

HOME: Fire stations throughout Newport Beach

THEY ARE

Front and center for some of the most entertaining moments of the

Toshiba Classic

DAILY DUTIES

The Newport Beach Firefighters Assn. has been sending members to help

out at the Toshiba Senior Classic for years. It’s a good way to be active

in the community and for the association’s member firefighters to give

something back. So every year, a contingent of strapping firefighters

park themselves at the booth where amateurs sign up to participate in the

pro-am events. Slowly the golfers trickle in, signing in with the

volunteers, who in turn set out the players’ golf clubs and golf carts.

“It’s fun, especially getting to see some of the pros out here,” said

Larson, who on Wednesday got to see pro golfer Tom Kite, among others.

But as the day goes on, their task gets tougher. Between noon and 1

p.m., the morning pro-am players are turning in their equipment just as

the afternoon group is showing up. More than 100 golfers converge on the

volunteers, who scramble to make sure it’s a smooth transition.

“It gets pretty intense for a while there,” Medina said.

But the most fun, they agree, is watching the amateurs tee off.

“Some of them are really good,” Jeziorski said.

“But some of them aren’t,” added Carr.

“For a bad golfer like me,” Tiscareno said, “it really gives you some

confidence.”

DID YOU KNOW

Some of the association members, including Larson and Jeziorski, were

volunteering for their fourth year in a row. But veterans and

first-timers alike among them say they’re looking forward to doing it

again next year.

“Oh, yeah,” Medina said, “I’ll be back.”