Changes should add to signature event

Bryce Alderton

Want to get Fuzzy Zoeller’s autograph or get your picture taken with

Hale Irwin? Those fantasies will be reality during next week’s

Toshiba Senior Classic at Newport Beach Country Club.

Autograph and photo sessions will run March 19 and 20, when fans

of the PGA Champions Tour event can stand next to their favorite pros

after their rounds and take home a lasting memory.

Live music will be playing on the patio area, where spectators can

interact with the pros, highlighting a few changes to make the

tournament even more fan-friendly.

The photos and autographs replace the Q and A sessions held the

past three years.

“We wanted to switch it up and do something different, that is

all,” Tournament Director Jeff Purser said. “How many times were Chi

Chi [Rodriguez] and Fuzzy [Zoeller] going to do [the Q and A]? Not to

say that Chi Chi and Fuzzy aren’t going to be the guys doing [the

photo and autograph sessions].”

Zoeller and Rodriguez, two of the more likable and recognizable

faces on the tour, will get their attempt to dazzle the audience at

the Breakfast of Champions at 7:30 a.m. March 16 at the Newport Beach

Marriott.

Fans flocking to NBCC for the tournament can also grab a bite to

eat or a drink in a hospitality area -- which includes a grille --

near the 18th green. The area will also feature big-screen

televisions.

“It’s more of a sit-down restaurant area,” Purser said. “It

enhances the experience of being at the event.”

On the course, patrons will have slightly more seating choices.

Two larger bleacher sections will be added to the 17th hole, while a

few other structures will dot various holes in anticipation of the

roughly 80,000 guests expected to enter the grounds during tournament

week -- Monday through March 21.

Since sky boxes take up most of the space around the 18th green,

added room on the right side of the fairway should allow more fans to

watch players finishing their rounds.

“The bleachers on 18 will be slightly larger, but there won’t be

hundreds of [extra] seats,” Purser said. “It’s hard because we can’t

survive without sky boxes.”

Champions Tour “Fan Features” tested in 2002 will again be used

this year including “Inside the Ropes,” Game Improvement and

Structural (television air times, eligibility, scheduling and

formats).”

Purser expects a stronger turnout than last year, when the United

States declared war on Iraq Wednesday of tournament week.

“It was probably our lowest [attendance] ever, but that was a

common theme across industry events,” Purser said. “From what I read,

attendance was down 30% to 50% across the board. Obviously, our

country was going through a big stage and everyone was on pins and

needles. Our goal is to raise $1 million for charity and hopefully

attract galleries more consistent with the last five years.”