First things first before tee time

They come from different walks of life with unparalleled

backgrounds, but they carry the rights of passage into Jones Cup III.

They’re the best amateurs each club has to offer in 2002.

On Friday the Newport-

Mesa community will celebrate men’s golf in the Jones Cup pro-am,

a better ball of partners, at Big Canyon Country Club at 1 p.m.

The first item on the agenda for the players and the event’s

various contributors is a luncheon from a gourmet grill. Since the

Fletcher Jones Motorcars/Daily Pilot Club Championship Series started

in 1997 for women in the Tea Cup Classic, one of the most fulfilling

aspects of my job has been to sample the mouthwatering menu items at

each of the four private country clubs in the Daily Pilot circulation

prior to teeing off in the Jones Cup or Tea Cup Classic.

This year’s much-anticipated Big Canyon luncheon, courtesy of

Director of Food and Beverages Alexis Wensman, features a choice

between cold poached king salmon salad, chicken Caesar salad or filet

mignon sandwich served open faced on a rosemary roll. That’s what you

call having options.

Also, I couldn’t help but notice on the Jones Cup banquet order

that “three small plates of homemade cookies and brownies” will top

Friday’s luncheon.

Furthermore, for the public in the galleries (there are two

foursomes in the Jones Cup), Big Canyon will supply a food and

beverage cart (including a bar) on the golf course during the

competition. Turkey and roast beef sandwiches will be made available,

among other things.

In a tradition that was started by Big Canyon two years ago during

the Tea Cup Classic, champagne will be served to the Jones Cup

players following the round.

For local golf fans and aficionados, the Jones Cup provides a rare

opportunity to see all four head professionals, or directors of golf,

play in the same venue. If you have ever wondered about their game,

now’s the chance to see it.

Defending Jones Cup champion Big Canyon will once again feature

its director of golf, Bob Lovejoy, with men’s club champion Danny

Lane filling Big Canyon’s amateur spot.

Newport Beach Country Club head pro Paul Hahn, who has played

extremely well in the first two Jones Cups and almost forced a

three-way tie for a playoff last year, will play in Jones Cup III

with his third different amateur partner.

Santa Ana Country Club Director of Golf Mike Reehl, whose dramatic

birdie at 18 last year on his home course put his team in a playoff

with Big Canyon, will tee it up with men’s club champion Gregg

Hemphill for the second straight year.

Mesa Verde Country Club head pro Tom Sargent, whose memorable flop

shot from the rough at 18 allowed Mesa Verde to win the inaugural

Jones Cup at Newport Beach, will partner with senior sensation Pete

Daley for the third year in a row. Daley is the only amateur to play

in all three Jones Cups.

Big Canyon head pro Clint Whitehead will serve Friday as the rules

official for Jones Cup III, while Newport Beach’s Bob Price will once

again handle scoring.