‘Beer Man’ starts it right, amateurs thrilled

NEWPORT BEACH — Mike Helmuth loaded up his driver on the 11th tee and delivered a booming shot that measured close to 300 yards and in the process garnered the admiration of his team members at Monday’s pro-am on the first day of the Toshiba Classic golf tournament.

Helmuth and his team, which consisted of Tournament Chairman Ira Garbutt, Bill Ryan and Cal Rietzel and professional Rick Karbowski, joined 70 other golfers who fanned out across the Newport Beach Country Club beneath cloudless blue skies for a day of golf and good times and a chance at a trophy.

The golfing foursomes, each assigned a PGA professional to play with them, got a firsthand chance to test out the course prior to this weekend’s tournament.

Topping out the scoring Monday was the team led by pro Mark Johnson. His teammates, Travis Cravin, Steve Solaas, Fred Neubauer and Jason Neubauer had a best-ball score of 52.

Johnson, best known as the “beer man” won the tournament in 2005 with a 13-under par score of 200 over three days. His beer man moniker comes from his previous job as a beer truck delivery man.

But the winning prize at the end of the day was the hardly the biggest thing on these amateurs’ minds.

Ryan from Laguna Niguel was one of the fortunate ones to partake in Monday’s pro-am and for him, it didn’t disappoint.

“I’ve never done anything like this before,” said Ryan, an avid golfer who plays twice a week. “It’s a great thrill and I’m happy to be here.”

Ryan, like the other amateurs Monday got a rare chance to see what a course looks like from the point of view of a professional.

“The cool thing is I get to play inside the ropes like a pro and I don’t have the pressure of earning a pay check,” he joked.

Others like Bert Ruttman, who was playing with pro Mike Goodes, were equally impressed by the day.

“We’re having a helluva time,” Ruttman said. “The wind has died down and my partners haven’t kicked me off the team … yet.”

As for the course, by most accounts, conditions haven’t been this good in years.

“I’m originally from New England and I live in Texas now,” Karbowski said. “We don’t have scenery like this in Texas.”

Karbowski, who is playing in a qualifying round at the Goose Creek golf course in Norco today, said he had been to the Toshiba only twice before but has had success in the past and he’s looking forward to being able to play.

Still, he noted how difficult the course is right now.

“The greens are a challenge,” he said.

Professional Dan Pohl, who is also playing to qualify today, agreed.

“The greens are a little firmer than I remember them,” he said. Still, he complimented the greens superintendent for a job well done. And he said the course itself is looking great.

“It’s the best shape I’ve ever seen it,” Pohl said.

Monday’s pro-am results (pros in bold)

1. Mark Johnson, Travis Cravin, Steve Solaas, Fred Neubauer, Jason Neubauer 52.

2. Dave Eichelberger, Gunnar Gustafson, Bob Thomson, Chris Dunaway, Rick Curry 53 (won tiebreaker with a net score of 2 on hole #17)

3. Gene Jones, Larry Riley, Steve Obert, Tim Ryan, Terry Horne 53.

4. Tom Jenkins, Michael Valletta, Mark Ow, Brian Peterson, Jeff Price 56 (won tiebreaker with a net score of 3 on hole #18)

TONY DODERO may be reached at (714) 966-4608 or by e-mail at tony.dodero@latimes.com.