Golfers descend on NBCC course

NEWPORT BEACH — Playing the Newport Beach Country Club course on Monday with the hopes that it pays dividends on Friday when the Toshiba Classic begins is something a few Champions Tour players are banking on.

For 18 of the 78 golfers slated to participate in the tournament, Monday’s Pro-Am was an extra opportunity to practice the course.

Defending champion Brad Bryant said it was more than the golf that brought him here ahead of most of the field.

“It’s good to get here early and get adjusted to California time,” said Bryant who lives in Florida and had his wife Sue with him as he played the course. “It gives you a chance to get ready. It looks like it will be dry and fast. It’s nice to have a couple days to get used to that.”

Greg Hopkins said the extra time is helpful because the course is unique.

“It’s huge, being here early,” said Hopkins who had his mother, sister and brother watching and cheering. “There’s so many subtleties and we’re close to the ocean.”

Fuzzy Zoeller, the 1979 Masters and 1984 U.S. Open champion, was not playing in the Pro-Am, but took some time out to work on his putting.

“I’m just trying to line up my club face,” said Zoeller who insisted practicing does not help and had the duck club warmer he’s had since 1976 by his side.

“The great things about Pro-Ams is that you help amateurs read putts and it helps you read the greens,” said Kenny Knox, who is in his second year on the Champions Tour. “This is great. The more times you get to play the golf course the better.”

Hopkins was helping the amateurs on his team at every opportunity.

“One fella was leaning in,” Hopkins said. “I told him to have his arms drop down.”

Curtis Strange, the 1988 U.S. Open champion, flew in from Costa Rica where he was fishing, instead of flying back home to Morehead City, N.C. for a couple days before making the trip to Newport Beach.

“I’m only here because I was fishing last week,” said Strange, who added the fishing was “awful.”

Zoeller decided to forego a lengthy stay in Floyds Nob, Ind.

“It’s cold back home,” Zoeller said. “I’ve got a few things to do out here. Five days back home was long enough. You never want to wear out your welcome.”

As for the weather, it has no bearing on Zoeller’s game.

“I play good in crappy weather and crappy in good weather,” Zoeller said. “Some of these guys out here like the warm weather though.”

Walter Hall, who is in his 11th year on the Champions Tour, bounced in a hole-in-one on the par-three, 143-yard No. 4.

Bob Stagner of Mission Viejo holed out from 52 yards out on the sixth hole.

And then there was the bad. A member of Strange’s group plunked a Cadillac Escalade with his tee shot on No. 18. Two shots later, the golfer, who shall remain nameless, sent a shot Strange was forced to dance out of the way of.

“Take the clubs out of his hands,” Strange yelled jokingly.

Mike Reid and Bryant’s teams finished second and third, respectively.

Participants will shoot from the roof of the 16-story Marriott Newport Beach Hotel & Spa to the second green 118 yards away, trying to get as close as possible to earn Toshiba notebook computers for their respective schools.

First place will receive 20 notebooks.

Ryan Knapp and Bridget Gleason will compete for Estancia, Justin Morehead and Kendal Horn for Newport Harbor, David Su and Jessica Milner for Corona del Mar and Garrick Vohs and Shelby Ferris for Costa Mesa.