NINTH ANNUAL JONES CUP:

One stroke.

That was all that kept Mesa Verde Country Club from repeating as Jones Cup champion last year. But Tom Sargent, Chris Gilley, Dave Tanchuk, Madelaine Campbell and Ryan Gale are ready to regain their title in the ninth annual Jones Cup on Tuesday at Newport Beach Country Club.

Despite last year’s loss being by such a small margin, the team has not lost any confidence and even gained a little boost.

“We’re gonna whip ‘em,” Sargent, Mesa Verde’s head pro and team captain, said of his expectations for this year’s Jones Cup.

With a little cynicism in his voice Sargent wants to top Big Canyon and establish his team as the best in the tournament. Big Canyon captured its fifth Jones Cup title after winning by one stroke against Mesa Verde last year.

But Mesa Verde is looking to change the outcome this year with the addition of Gilley, Mesa Verde’s new assistant club pro who is confident about Tuesday because of his teammates.

“I have never played in a Jones Cup,” Gilley said, “but from what I am told it is going to be really fun. Our team is pretty good and with players like Madelaine Campbell, we should be able to win.”

Campbell is the best ladies champion in the tournament and is going to provide a stable force for the team come tournament day, Gilley said.

Campbell may be the best according to Gilley and many others, but to her, that is merely a compliment from a teammate. She is a true competitor and made it clear that being the best woman is not as important as enjoying a great day of golf at the Jones Cup.

“There is a really great local rivalry,” said Campbell, who reached the quarterfinals of the USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship last year. “It will be up to us making our putts and if we do that we should get the win.”

The tournament is a best-ball format with four of the top Newport-Mesa country clubs, including Newport Beach and Santa Ana.

Gale finalized Mesa Verde’s roster on Sunday winning the men’s club championship. Gale came out on top by seven strokes and will be adding a big drive to the team’s arsenal.

Tanchuk is the senior men’s champion of Mesa Verde.

Sargent needs little introduction into the Jones Cup considering he has not only played in every Jones Cup, but he won the very first one in 2000.

Mesa Verde will hope to win another one come Tuesday.

MARK RATTO may be reached at (714) 966-4616.