Miss America hopefuls visit

NEWPORT BEACH — For at least two people Saturday afternoon, the Balboa Bay Club and Resort was Sweet Home Alabama.

Willie Upton, the club’s secretary, was among those waiting when two buses containing all 52 contenders for Miss America 2009 pulled up to the curb for a photo shoot.

As the contestants stepped out in their white sashes and rhinestone crowns, Upton, an Alabama native, tracked down this year’s Miss Alabama, Amanda Tapley, and gave her a hug.

“Isn’t she darling?” said Upton, a former beauty queen herself. “She’s so pretty.”

The 52 contenders — 50 from the states, one from Washington D.C. and one from the Virgin Islands — posed for pictures outside the Bay Club before stepping inside for a private luncheon. George Lysak, the club’s executive director of sales and marketing, said he heard the women were going to be in Orange County Saturday, and he invited them to stop in Newport before they headed to the Los Angeles Angels’ home game Saturday evening.

“We’re hoping to show them a little Newport Beach hospitality,” he said.

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MICHAEL MILLER may be reached at (714) 966-4617 or at michael.miller@latimes.com.