Drizzle doesn’t dampen opening-round spirits

Chris Yemma

There was one general consensus among a few Toshiba Senior Classic

personnel, volunteers and players regarding Friday’s less-than-ideal

weather conditions.

The constant drizzle that hit Newport Beach Country Club later in

the afternoon may have caused a damp course, but it didn’t put a

damper on the opening round.

“Other than me playing bad, it was a nice day,” said R.W. Eaks,

who was paired in the last grouping, which started at 12:45 p.m. and

finished at about 4:45.

“There’s nothing wrong with these conditions. This is nice to play

in. It’s not hot, it’s not windy -- this is nice.”

Eaks, who won a local mini-tour event at Newport Beach in 1995 and

1996 when it was called the Taco Bell Newport Classic Pro-Am,

finished with an opening-round 71 -- even par and tied for 39th. He

wasn’t pleased with himself.

“I’m an awful player right now. I just played bad,” he said.

“There’s no excuses. The weather’s fine, the golf course is good and

I just have to play better [today].”

Although there was arguably a noticeable shortage of a crowd (the

staff doesn’t keep official opening-day attendance figures, but an

estimated 5,000 roamed the grounds), event co-chairman John Rohrer

wasn’t concerned with the Friday numbers.

“A few sprinkles doesn’t deter most people,” Rohrer said. “It was

a good Friday crowd, but we expect more people over the weekend.”

The throng of volunteer workers weren’t phased by the sprinkles

either. A group of about 1,000, including some from outside

California, the volunteer corps is there to ensure everything runs

smoothly.

Some of them have been doing it for numerous years, coming back

each year for the rewarding experience.

Sotera Townsend Brakesman, a Newport Beach interior designer, is

in her sixth year as a volunteer. She volunteers in coordination with

Hoag Hospital, doing any number of tasks.

During her six years with the event, she said she has seen many a

rainy day at the Champions Tour stop.

“It used to be in February and it seemed like it would rain all

the time,” said Townsend Brakesman, who resides in Newport Beach. “It

didn’t start raining until later in the day, so it wasn’t that bad.

It didn’t stop all the die-hard watchers who come every year.”

Bob Black, 53, of Irvine, is in his seventh year as a volunteer.

“The weather had an effect on the crowds, though Friday is a

slower day,” said Black, who is in charge of security around hole No.

18. “But it might have kept a few people away.”