Pelican Cup could surface for Back Bay prep teams
It’s only in the idea stage, but Newport Harbor High boys golf
coach Marianne Towersey -- perhaps better know in the area as the
four-time Tea Cup Classic champion -- is laying the foundation of
what could be an annual Back Bay clash at Pelican Hill Golf Club.
Other sports enjoy a strong rivalry, like the Battle of the Bay in
football. The CdM and Newport Harbor girls tennis teams would never
dream of missing each other in the fall. The schools’ boys and girls
basketball teams will open the season tonight in Back Bay contests.
But boys golf has been missing somewhere in the tall trees in the
rough. And that’s what Towersey would like to change.
“An 18-hole match some afternoon in April or early May after
daylight savings commences would be ideal,” said Towersey, who will
try to rekindle a Back Bay relationship with CdM Coach Mike
Starkweather and encourage Pelican Hill to get involved, so teams can
play a neutral course.
“The competition would involve six boys from each school and would
require three starting times. Galleries would be great, if that would
be permitted. I can envision a coveted perpetual trophy with a pewter
pelican on top.”
Towersey, who said the “Pelican Cup” has a nice ring to it, has
been in touch with Pelican Hill officials. She added that Newport
Harbor and CdM currently do not play each other in team competition,
and that what was once a good rivalry has “fallen apart the last two
years.”
“It’s time to reenact (the rivalry) in a different way,” Towersey
said.
*
With the Champions Tour -- formerly known as the Senior PGA Tour
-- having come to a close in 2002, it’s fun to look back on the
Toshiba Senior Classic at Newport Beach Country Club and see how the
champion played the rest of the year.
The event, always played early in the year, catapulted Hale Irwin
to the top of the money list again. After winning the Toshiba Classic
in March for the second time, Irwin took over the lead in the race
for the Charles Schwab Cup and never looked back. He said at the time
that if he can stay interested, another money title would be his for
the taking. He was absolutely serious when he said it.
Irwin became the first senior to eclipse the $3-million mark in
single-season earnings ($3,028,304), winning the money title for the
third time, following 1997 and ’98. Irwin also won at Newport Beach
in ‘98, when he shot a course-record 62 in the final round.
Irwin and Bob Gilder each won four official events in 2002, the
fewest number of victories to lead the Champions Tour since Jim
Colbert and Bob Murphy each had four wins in ’95.
*
Worth mentioning is the fact that Tom Jenkins did not make a bogey
at this year’s Toshiba Senior Classic, but finished the tournament
tied for 10th. Jenkins was the first to record a bogey-free event
since Joe Inman placed second at the 2000 EMC Kaanapali Classic.
Jenkins played 67 straight holes without a blemish until making a
bogey on the sixth hole in the first round of the Siebel Classic in
Silicon Valley at Coyote Creek Golf Club.
*
John Laing Homes of Newport Beach raised nearly $100,000 recently at a charity golf tournament to benefit Interval House, an Orange
County-based organization dedicated to supporting victims of domestic
violence. The funds set a tournament record for amount raised in
seven years. This year’s event was hosted by Mesa Verde Country Club.
“One of the core values of John Laing Homes is social
responsibility,” said Larry Webb, the company’s chairman. “I am very
proud of the growing support we receive each year in our golf
tournament, which raises funds to assist Interval House in rebuilding
the lives of women and children who are victims of domestic
violence.”
Interval House combines emergency and transitional shelters with
outreach centers, providing a wide range of counseling and programs
in 40 different languages.
*
The Pre-Holiday Tent Sale at Costa Mesa Country Club, Saturday
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., features savings of 20% to 60% on all brands
and manufacturers of irons, drivers, fairway woods, wedges, putters,
bags, men’s and women’s golf apparel and shoes.
Pro shop manager Joe Sperrazza announced that $100 will be taken
off all drivers and fairway woods in stock. The clubs include the new
Taylor Made 500 series, Cleveland, Titleist, Callaway, Nike and Ping.
Details: (714) 540-7500, ext. 3.
All the latest on Orange County from Orange County.
Get our free TimesOC newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Daily Pilot.