Roger Dunn, leading golf retailer, officially opened...

Roger Dunn, leading golf retailer, officially opened for business at

its newest location, Newport Beach Golf Course, on Friday.

Store manager Christy Xavier estimated 10 customers strolled

through the doors to gaze at the merchandise, which is still

funneling into the 3,300 square-foot shop, formerly occupied by John

Leonard, the course’s director of instruction.

As of Wednesday, Xavier said the store held about 60% of its

inventory, which includes everything from clubs to balls to clothing.

“More customers are coming in every day,” Xavier said. Xavier

expects full inventory in place by this weekend and added the

company’s newest location -- its fourth in Orange County -- provides

convenience.

“People don’t have to drive 30 minutes up the 55 freeway [to the

Santa Ana store],” Xavier said.

Leonard approached Roger Dunn officials in December about taking

over the retail portion, which he had handled, along with golf

instruction at the course, for nearly 30 years. Leonard now devotes

more time to lessons.

Beginning today, the store will sell a limited number of general

admission tickets ($18) for next week’s Toshiba Senior Classic,

Xavier said.

Xavier said he has 20 for sale today and “will see how sales go”

before requesting more tickets on subsequent days.

The 11th annual Toshiba Senior Classic, a PGA Champions Tour

event, runs Monday through March 20 at Newport Beach Country Club.

*

Through four episodes, Newport Beach resident Danielle Amiee is

still alive in the television series “Big Break III: Ladies Only.”

Amiee is among seven of the original 10 contestants still alive in

the event, which pits female golfers -- the first time the series has

featured an all-female cast -- against one another in a variety of

challenges that test physical skills and mental toughness.

One golfer is eliminated each week. There was no one eliminated

after the first week.

The show airs 9 p.m. Tuesdays on the Golf Channel.

The winner will receive entry into select LPGA tournaments,

including the Michelob ULTRA Open at Kingsmill May 5-8 and the

Corning Classic May 26-27.

-- Bryce Alderton