Pro-Am offers prelude

Bryce Alderton

The Toshiba Senior Classic kicked off its weeklong festivities with

the first of three Pro-Am events Monday afternoon with several pros

making their arrival in Newport Beach.

Fuzzy Zoeller and defending champion Rodger Davis were among the

21 Champions Tour golfers to participate in the Pro-Am, which began

at 12:45 p.m., but many players arrived earlier in the morning to hit

balls or practice their putting.

Zoeller, who has two top-five finishes in five Champions Tour

events this year -- including a win in the MasterCard Championship --

worked on his wedge game while standing two stalls away from Bobby

Wadkins. The two exchanged laughter between their shots, which sailed

into a backdrop of baby-blue sky and emerald-green fairways.

“This is a nice golf course. All the guys look forward to coming

here,” said Zoeller, who ranks third on this year’s money list after

five events with $416,762. “Length is not a factor, but there are

small greens and small targets ... anybody has an opportunity to win,

which is great.”

Zoeller, along with Davis and Chi Chi Rodriguez, will all speak at

the Champions Breakfast at 7:30 p.m. today at the Newport Beach

Marriott in Fashion Island.

“You basically shoot from the hip,” Zoeller said. “With Davis and

Chi Chi, it should be fun.”

Paul Hahn, the Newport Beach Country Club head professional who

received a sponsor’s exemption into this year’s tournament, which

begins with Friday’s first round, shared laughs with Mark Lye while

working on his iron game. Lye and Hahn both attended San Jose State

University and Lye will be walking alongside groups this weekend as a

reporter for the Golf Channel.

Hahn said he has received added fanfare in anticipation of his

Champions Tour debut.

“I walked into a place to get my morning cup of coffee and saw

articles and pictures on the walls,” Hahn said. “I am nervous as

[heck], but I am just going to go out and enjoy myself.”

Hahn said he has been trying to play everyday for the last month

and will compete in a private outing today at Strawberry Farms Golf

Club. He will return to Newport for Wednesday’s event.

The team of pro Sammy Rachels with amateurs Patrick Mani, Paul

Benson, Ronald Peavy and Tony Thornley shot a 52 to win Monday by two

strokes.

Jerry McGee, who received one of five sponsor’s exemptions into

this year’s field of 78, also played Monday and is eagerly

anticipating his fifth Champions Tour event this year.

“It always feels good to be in Newport Beach,” said McGee, whose

best finish in the Toshiba Senior Classic came last year, when he

tied for 19th.

“No one runs a better tournament than [Tournament Director Jeff

Purser]. This is top-notch. It is a fun golf course to play and the

galleries are always good. It is just an enjoyable week.”

McGee, who had two top-10 finishes last year, said each year it is

becoming more difficult to qualify for Champions Tour events.

“With Champions Tour fields returning to 78 players from 81 and

the additions of newcomers like Peter Jacobsen and Jay Haas this

year, it makes it harder to qualify for a lot of tournaments,” McGee

said.

This week he will see many familiar faces.

“I am good friends with [tournament co-chairs Jake Rohrer and Hank

Adler]. This is one of the best-run tournaments around.”

Purser gave the final sponsor’s exemption to John Harris, winner

of four state amateur titles and five state mid-amateur crows in his

native Minnesota.

Harris was 49th on last year’s money list after competing in 23

events. He ranks 44th in scoring average after three events this year

with his best finish a tie for 20th in the ACE Group Classic.