Santa Ana misses on own history

NEWPORT BEACH — The back nine represented more than holes to Santa Ana Country Club.

Try eight years of frustration at the Jones Cup. Another year was on its way as more putts sunk Santa Ana’s spirit than into the hole midway through.

The way the five golfers performed on the front nine, misfiring on easy putts, Santa Ana looked ready to leave the event the same way it has in the past. Empty-handed.

Out of the four local country clubs, Santa Ana has never won the Jones Cup. Santa Ana’s come close. Mike Reehl’s seen it, experienced it.

Reehl did once again in the two-best-ball format as Santa Ana roared back with nine birdies on the back nine to force a playoff Tuesday. Three teams, Big Canyon, Newport Beach and Santa Ana, advanced at 11-under-par 60.

Santa Ana started the 18th hole well. It just didn’t finish strong enough at Newport Beach Country Club.

Reehl, along with the rest of his teammates, dealt with reality almost six hours after they teed off. The same team that beat Reehl in the playoff in 2001 did so again.

Big Canyon won the ninth annual Jones Cup with an eagle and birdie at No. 18, where Santa Ana recorded two pars, finishing tied for second place with Newport Beach.

“The momentum started going our way,” said Reehl, Santa Ana’s head professional. “It just wasn’t quite enough.”

The start hurt Santa Ana, allowing Big Canyon to defend the Jones Cup and claim it for a record sixth time.

Helping club men’s champion John Gilchrist forget the front nine in which he never birdied, only pro Geoff Cochrane and senior men’s champ Chris Veitch accounted for Santa Ana’s two birdies, was a drink.

“I need something strong,” Gilchrist told the bartender.

The bartender poured a drink and refrained from asking how Gilchrist’s team finished. By the look on Gilchrist’s face, the bartender figured it wasn’t first, where Cochrane predicted Santa Ana would finish earlier in the week.

Santa Ana made a valiant push toward the end. Everyone pitched in. Cochrane birdied the 11th, 13th and 15th holes, Reehl the 13th and 18th, Veitch the 12th and 15th, and Gilchrist the 10th and 18th.

Each player easily could’ve given up. They just had to look at the teenager following them around to know how far back they trailed early on.

On a sign, the teenager gave updates on how the rest of the field was doing. Usually, the news was bad.

While Santa Ana stayed at two under through eight holes, Big Canyon was at six under through nine and Newport Beach five under through seven. So what did Santa Ana do when it approached the back nine? Players just laughed. Santa Ana began playing loose.

Gilchrist nailed a nice putt on No. 10 for birdie. Cochrane followed that up with a sweet birdie on No. 11.

“You see one good shot in front of you and then everybody catches the momentum,” Gilchrist said.

The birdies continued. Everyone birdied, except women’s champ Liz Slater.

The two birdies on Nos. 13, 15 and 18 put Santa Ana in contention for the ultimate prize. For a minute, Santa Ana came close to making history.

But they say history repeats itself and Santa Ana left the Jones Cup the same way it entered.

“I know. I know,” said Veitch of almost winning. “When the playoff [had] an eagle and a birdie, it’s pretty much all over.”

DAVID CARRILLO PEÑALOZA may be reached at (714) 966-4612 or at david.carrillo@latimes.com.