Jones Cup field nearly filled out

Bryce Alderton

The teams for next month’s Jones Cup, a golf event that brings

together members and golf staff of each of the four private clubs in

Newport-Mesa, are virtually set.

Mesa Verde Country Club’s men’s club champion is the lone

outstanding entry into the Aug. 30 tournament at Santa Ana County

Club.

Mesa Verde is hosting its men’s championship about a week prior to

the Jones Cup, revamped last year with changes in format and

participants.

This year’s event has added a fifth player -- an additional golf

staff member -- to each team from Big Canyon, Santa Ana, Mesa Verde

and Newport Beach country clubs.

Teams from each club now feature men’s, women’s and senior club

champions, with the head golf professional and the aforementioned

golf staff member.

They will battle in a best ball format, with the best two scores

per team counting per hole.

Newport Beach tallied a three-stroke victory over both Santa Ana

and Big Canyon country clubs with a 5-under-par 66 on its home course

last year.

This latest Jones Cup was bred from the former women’s

championship, or Tea Cup Classic, and the initial Jones Cup. The

women’s club champions from all four clubs competed against one

another in an 18-hole, stroke-play format. The Jones Cup, which teed

off for the first time in 2000, used to pair the men’s club champion

and a golf staff professional against three competing teams in a

better-ball of partners format.

Latest additions among teams include assistant pros Brett Brummett

(Mesa Verde) and Bruce Hooper (Newport Beach). Here is a list of the

participants who, pending confirmation, have secured a place in this

year’s Jones Cup.

Big Canyon Country Club

Martha Redfern -- women’s

Mike Carpenter -- men’s

Danny Bibb -- senior

Bob Lovejoy -- director of golf

Clint Whitehill -- head pro

Santa Ana Country Club

Marianne Towersey -- women’s

Chris Veitch -- men’s, senior

Bill Welch*

Mike Reehl -- director of golf

Geoff Cochrane -- head pro

Mesa Verde Country Club

Akemi Khaiat -- women’s

Bryan Rolfe -- senior

Tom Sargent -- head pro

Brett Brummett -- assistant pro

Newport Beach Country Club

Debbie Albright -- women’s

Brian Lindley -- men’s

Steve Rausch -- senior

Paul Hahn -- head pro

Bruce Hooper -- assistant pro

*Placed second to Veitch in senior and men’s club events.