Golf: Hemphill repeats as Santa Ana men’s club champion

Richard Dunn

Gregg Hemphill of Santa Ana Country Club captured his second

straight men’s club championship, defeating Chris Veitch in the

match-play finals, 3 and 2, last Saturday.

Hemphill, who played in the Jones Cup last year with Santa Ana Country

Club Director of Golf Mike Reehl, gained entry into Jones Cup III at Big

Canyon Country Club July 26 with his club championship.

Hemphill beat Duane Hastings in the semifinals at the 18th hole, 2 up, while Veitch, a four-time champion, advanced to the finals after

defeating Rick Herrera, 5 and 4.

Of the four clubs in the Daily Pilot circulation that vie for spots in

the Jones Cup, three have been determined by club champions: Danny Lane

(Big Canyon), Pete Daley (Mesa Verde Country Club) and Hemphill.

The final round of the men’s club championship at Newport Beach

Country Club is June 2, and any number of players could win the title and

gain entry into the Jones Cup, which features a better-ball of partners

format. The four clubs serve as host of the event on a rotating basis.

Joining defending Newport Beach champion Vinnie Brascia in this year’s

field will be Daily Pilot Sports Hall of Famer Jeff Wright, formerly of

Dove Canyon.

Four-time Newport Beach champion Jim Whitaker (1990, ‘93, ’95 and ‘98)

and two-time winner Joe Stafford (1997 and ‘99) are also considered

strong candidates to win this year’s title, as well as Kent Pfeiffer.

The Jones Cup, a pro-am for the club champion and head professional

and/or staff member, was won last year by Big Canyon’s Director of Golf

Bob Lovejoy and 2000 men’s club champion Ron Maggard.

Mesa Verde’s Tom Sargent (head pro) and Daley won the inaugural event

in 2000.