Getting the message out there

Christine Carrillo

PGA Tour Productions had a vision.

They had a vision of what a public service announcement would look

like if it involved the Toshiba Senior Classic and Hoag Hospital.

On Wednesday morning, they transformed that 30-second vision into

a two-hour reality.

It featured professional golfer and CBS sports commentator Gary

McCord sitting in a Bobcat 763 -- a small bulldozer -- in front of

the Hoag Women’s Pavilion construction site wearing a hard hat and

vest and reciting a script over the rumblings of construction

machinery.

But that’s not all.

It also featured the 1999 Toshiba Senior Classic champion in

hospital X-ray rooms at the Breast Care and Imaging Center and near

the Hoag Hospital sign on Hoag Drive and Placentia Avenue.

That was a wrap.

Despite an intense focus on the technical nuances that make up a

commercial, the significance of its message remained on everyone’s

mind.

Incorporating the professional relationship between Hoag and the

Professional Golf Assn. with a personal relationship between Newport

Beach and McCord, who recalls bodysurfing at 15th Street when he was

younger, the commercial highlights the PGA’s charitable efforts.

“It’s always good to take the tour players and physically show

them where the money is going,” said McCord, who grew up in Garden

Grove. “That adds a little more passion to it.”

While Hoag Hospital will make its commercial debut when the spot

airs sometime toward the end of April, McCord’s familiarity in front

of the camera proved he’s not just a pro on the golf course.

“This is a serious issue ... but it’s fun to work with Gary,” said

Chuck Roseberry, producer and co-director for the commercial. “He’s a

pro at this.”

Hoag, the PGA and Toshiba have been pros at raising money.

Since Hoag has raised about $5 million over the past five years

acting as the primary organizer for the Toshiba Senior Classic, it

seemed an excellent backdrop for a commercial that wanted to

highlight what the PGA does for local charities.

“It’s very exciting,” said Debra Legan, vice president of

marketing and corporate communications for Hoag. “The relationship

that we have with the PGA goes back a long way. We’re very honored

that they chose us.”