Toshiba Classic: O’Meara recalls highlights
Mark O’Meara has many fond memories that stem from winning the U.S. Amateur Championship in 1979. He shared them with a genuine appreciation during the annual Breakfast with a Champion to kick off the Toshiba Classic, at Balboa Bay Resort Tuesday morning.
After winning the U.S. Amateur, he received an exemption to play in the Masters. He said he got off to a solid start with a par on No. 1 at Augusta National. But he scored double bogey on No. 2 and went on to miss the cut.
O’Meara said he remembered driving away on Magnolia Lane with his father, who did his best to console his son. But it wasn’t really needed, O’Meara said.
“Dad, let’s get something straight,” O’Meara said of what he told his father. “No matter what happens in my life, I’ll become a professional golfer or I won’t, I know one fact: I got to play in the Masters one time. You know what’s cool about that? Eighteen years later, at 41 years of age, I stood on the 18th green on a Sunday afternoon and made a putt to win the Masters. Pretty cool.”
O’Meara, a World Golf Hall of Famer who also won the British Open that same year he won the Masters, also touched on memories of growing up at Mission Viejo Country Club, his relationship with Tiger Woods and his love for the outdoors. He says he loves to fish and ski, and he enjoys riding his snowmobile
He said he met Woods when the famed pro golfer was 17. They went on to forge a strong friendship. Woods motivated O’Meara to become a better golfer, O’Meara said.
After the breakfast he also revealed some advice he gave to his friend.
“Listen, I love the kid dearly,” O’Meara said. “He has meant a lot to me in my life. But I don’t understand the whole workout. I understand physical conditioning is an important part of the game, but I think sometimes a lot of the players overdo it. They’re still golfers. They’re not in the NFL or the NBA, they’re not Major League Baseball players, they’re golfers. And golf is all about longevity. I don’t know why guys think they have to push it so hard in the gym. Because the guys that seem to push it so hard in the gym are the ones who are always hurt.
“I wish him the best,” O’Meara said. “I’m a huge Tiger Woods fan. I know he has struggled with the injuries and stuff like that. The game is better for what he has done for the game of golf and what he has accomplished. And certainly I know he has had an impact on my life.”
O’Meara said he’s glad to be back in Orange County. He said he still remembers playing high school matches for Mission Viejo High at Newport Beach Country Club, site of the Toshiba Classic.
Not too far from Newport Beach, O’Meara also has special memories of Costa Mesa, where he won the Costa Mesa City Championship in 1979. The victory came shortly after winning the U.S. Amateur.
He said it was a thrill to play in Orange County as the U.S. Amateur champion.
“My fellow amateurs were all very gracious and they treated me in a congratulatory manner,” O’Meara said. “And I went on to win that week. I get asked about my memories of that event. But, you know, I won the Costa Mesa City Championship. That’s pretty impressive. Golf is a big thing in Orange County. People love to play and the weather is great here. It was a great year in ’79.”
Twitter: @SteveVirgen