Cook wants more at Toshiba Classic

John Cook doesn’t like to remember what he was like when he was 49. But now, who would’ve thought life after 50 would treat him so great?

Three years ago, the Champions Tour — for golfers over 50 — awaited Cook. He was looking forward to it, but he was out of shape.

“I was sick most of the year and my body was breaking down,” said Cook, a part-time Corona del Mar resident. “I’ve been lucky. I’ve worked with some guys in Orange County and they got me going in the right direction. They’ve pretty much taken a broken down 49-year-old and built him up to a healthy 52-year-old.”

Sure, he’s coming off a heartbreaking-type runner-up finish, but he feels in great shape at 52. He feels young again. He’s also hungry for a win. He hopes to get it close to home.

Cook is part of a grand field of the 16th annual Toshiba Classic at Newport Beach Country Club. The competition starts Friday and runs through Sunday. Events, such as pro-am and qualifying for three vacant spots, begin Monday.

Cook is more than pleased to be a part of an 80-player field that features Fred Couples, Tom Watson and Bernhard Langer.

Eduardo Romero will be on hand, trying to become the Toshiba’s first repeat winner. There’s a two-time winner in the tournament’s history. That’s Hale Irwin. He’ll be there, too.

Champions Tour rookies Corey Pavin, Paul Azinger and Tom Lehman will make their debut in the Toshiba Classic.

Loren Roberts, 2007 Toshiba champ, Jay Haas, as well as World Golf Hall of Famers Isao Aoki and Nick Price have also committed to play at Newport Beach Country Club. Cook’s friend, Mark O’Meara, who is also no stranger to these parts, is part of the field. O’Meara is a former Mission Viejo resident and one time won the Costa Mesa City Championship.

“I don’t think they are missing anybody,” Cook said of the Toshiba Classic. “This is as good a field as you can get. It’s a testament to the golf course and Newport Beach Country Club. It will be fantastic. Everyone you want to see will be there.”

Cook is familiar with the area. He knows Pacific Coast Highway well. Just down the street from NBCC, he trained at Athleticism in Corona del Mar with Justin Frandson. Cook also worked with chiropractor Dr. Tim Brown, the Newport Harbor High alumnus known as, “the Beach Doc.”

“They put me back together,” Cook said. “It’s really helped out a lot. I don’t feel I have to practice a lot because I’m in such good shape. There’s definitely more flexibility and more range of motion, and that’s a good thing when you’re 52.

“It’s also good that I can take the training program with me and do it on my own.”

Cook has found new life on the Champions Tour. He’s won four times, twice last year. He’s still looking for his first victory of the year.

It nearly came at the Allianz Championship in Boca Rotan, Fla., on Feb. 21.

He watched in somewhat disbelief as Langer made a 45-foot sand shot for eagle on the first hole of a playoff. Langer took the victory after he was tied with Cook at 17-under at Broken Sound.

Even Langer was stunned that he made the shot. It just left Cook disappointed.

“I felt like I could make my putt,” Cook said of the first playoff hole. “The next thing I know his bunker shot was rolling into the hole and it kind of got me thinking differently. I almost did hit mine, a 25-footer, to keep it going.” Cook wasn’t totally surprised to see Langer, the 2008 Toshiba champ, make the shot.

“That’s what Hall of Famers do,” Cook said.

“I don’t feel bad losing to Bernhard, but I don’t like losing, period, especially when I feel like I played pretty well. But this keeps me in a good frame of mind into Newport Beach and the Toshiba. I feel really good about the progress I’ve made. But last week left me pretty much wanting more.”