Irwin claims crown

On the heels of the Jones Cup, we can already start talking about

next year’s pro-am extravaganza.

Mesa Verde Country Club crowned its newest men’s club champion

Sunday as Dave Irwin held off a charging Steve Rhorer to claim the

three-day tournament by three shots.

Irwin shot an 11-over-par 224 (72-74-78) to nip Rhorer, who carded

three consecutive 76s to finish at 227 on the par-71 course.

With Sunday’s win, Irwin is eligible to compete in next year’s

Jones Cup, an annual tournament that pairs the men’s club champions

from Newport-Mesa’s four private courses with a member of that club’s

golf staff in a better-ball-of-partners format.

Big Canyon Country Club has won three of the last four Jones Cups

after Mesa Verde claimed the inaugural title in 2000. Bob Lovejoy and

amateur partner Will Tipton earned a one-stroke victory over the host

team of Mesa Verde head professional Tom Sargent and Rhorer Aug. 1.

Irwin now joins Pete Daley and Rhorer as the only players to hold

both the men’s and senior club championships at the same time.

One stroke separated Irwin and Rhorer as they came to the 18th

hole, a par-3 measuring 200 yards from the championship tees. Rhorer

pulled his tee shot to the left of the cart path, making for a

difficult chip.

Irwin, meanwhile, pushed his tee shot to the right and below the

flag. His chip nearly found the bottom of the cup and he knocked in a

three-footer coming back down the slope for a par and the

championship.

Irwin, who led the championship from start to finish, had to hold

off both Daley and Rhorer Sunday. A 6-over 42 on the front nine by

Irwin on Sunday allowed both Daley and Rhorer to move within two

strokes of the lead after they both shot 38.

Dale Willetts also fought his way into the mix, playing the first

seven holes at 2-under.

But Irwin righted himself and shot a 1-over 36 on the back nine

Sunday to post victory.

Poor Rhorer. He has been on the short end of two close finishes at

Mesa Verde in a month.

Lately, wherever he plays, thrilling golf is sure to follow.

*

The start of the two-day, 54-hole Southern California Golf

Association Mid-Amateur Championship -- beginning Monday at Mesa

Verde -- marks the second consecutive year the tournament has been

held at a course in Newport-Mesa.

Big Canyon Country Club in Newport Beach hosted last year’s

tournament, won by Scott McGihon, a former UC Irvine golfer, by one

shot.

McGihon rallied from a 10-shot deficit to claim his second Mid-Am

title.

Newport Beach residents David Franey and Ed Susolik are entered

and will each tee off at 9:18 a.m. Monday on No. 1 and No. 10,

respectively. The two are then scheduled to begin their second 18

holes Monday at 2:48 p.m.

Mike Peck, an SCGA publicist, said it was merely circumstance that

this year’s Mid-Am, relegated to those 25 and older, moved about 15

miles from Big Canyon over to Mesa Verde.

Private and public courses face difficulty in giving up tee times

normally taken by club members, or those opening their wallets for

green fees, Peck said.

“One day is completely dedicated to tournament play [36 holes],”

Peck said. “The fact our member clubs are able to allow [the SCGA] to

put on the tournament is something we are appreciative of. We get

qualify clubs willing to host the tournament, which is one of the big

ones.”

The Mid-Am winner earns an exemption into next year’s tournament,

along with entry into the SCGA Amateur.