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.