Spike in business is tourney as usual

Local businesses are preparing for about 80,000 spectators and 80 PGA golfers to flock to the Newport Beach Country Club this week for the only pro tour event in Orange County.

The throngs mean big money for local businesses, both during the event and after the bleachers are taken down and the players go home.

“We calculate spending well into the $10- to $20-million range, based on hotels, restaurants, based on shopping,” tournament director Jeff Purser said.

Excluding the purse and TV budgets, the tournament has a budget of between $2.2 million and $2.5 million. The golf fans who come to Newport for the event fill hotels, and local shops pull in plenty of money during the week-long tour event.

“The players go up [to Fashion Island] and spend a lot of money, and the wives — we always joke that the players better finish in the top five or it’s going to be a net loss for them for the week,” Purser said.

The Toshiba office alone books about 3,000 rooms for sponsors, players, caddies and staffers.

The Newport Beach Marriott Hotel and Spa is the host hotel for the event, and many of the players stay there, but some players opt for other accommodations.

The majority of the 80 caddies stay at the Holiday Inn Express on West Coast Highway.

“We definitely see a spike in occupancy during that time period,” Holiday Inn sales manager Charles Taft said. “You can tell when it’s here and when it’s not.”

But the economic reach of the tourney doesn’t end in dollars spent at restaurants, hotels and stores. The event raises about $1 million for the Hoag Hospital Foundation. Purser said he hopes this year, the 10th year that Toshiba has been the title sponsor, they can bring the total amount raised for the hospital to $10 million.

The money raised will be earmarked for some of the hospital’s major areas of development, including the cancer and neuroscience centers.

“It’s an investment in the future, but it’s also a form of a thank you that says the community is glad we’re here and appreciate what we’re doing, and we want you to do more,” Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian President Dr. Richard Afable said.

The exposure that the Toshiba gives Newport Beach — the national coverage by the Golf Channel often shows sprawling views of the ocean and Newport landmarks — can benefit the community long after the week is over.

“Anytime we can get coverage that helps us tell the story of Newport Beach and people can actually see it — one picture of Newport Beach because this is such a scenic, beautiful place, just paints a wonderful picture…. You see the course, you see shots of the ocean, cutaway shots of the beach,” Newport Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau President Gary Sherwin said. “It doesn’t have to say ‘Come to Newport Beach’ [because] by the time you’re finished looking at it, you want to come here. And that’s the power behind it all.”

The Toshiba Classic is Monday through Sunday. For more information, go to www.toshibaclassic.com .

2007 TOSHIBA GOLF CLASSIC SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

MONDAYMorning practice rounds for professionals

Monday Pro-Am — shotgun start at 12:45 p.m.

TUESDAYOpen qualifying (off-site, not open to the public)

Morning practice rounds for professionals

Champions breakfast — presented by Allergan with keynote PGA Champions Tour speakers; 7 a.m. at the Marriott Newport Beach Hotel and Spa, 900 Newport Center Drive; (949) 640-4000; $100 per person

WEDNESDAYClassic Pro-Am — first day of competition; 7 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. shotgun starts; amateur foursomes are paired with a PGA Champions Tour player on each day of this two-day event.

THURSDAYClassic Pro-Am — second day of competition; 7 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. shotgun starts

FRIDAYToshiba Classic — first round of professional competition; tee times start at about 10:15 a.m.

Women’s golf seminar and clinic — 10:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Newport Beach Country Club Clubhouse. This event is designed to educate women about golf, with an introduction to techniques, rules, etiquette, equipment, fashion and the next steps; $195 per person. For more information, download the women’s clinic brochure at www.toshibaclassic.com.

Happy hour — 4:30 p.m. (Clubhouse Patio) featuring “Meet the Pros”

SATURDAYToshiba Classic — second round of professional competition; tee times start at about 10:15 a.m.

Wells Fargo junior clinic — immediately following play; 4:30 p.m.; Newport Beach Country Club driving range

SUNDAYToshiba Classic — final round of professional competition; tee times start at about 10:15 a.m.

Awards ceremony — held on the 18th Green immediately following conclusion of competition (about 4:45 p.m.)

CONTACT INFO

Newport Beach Country Club

1600 E. Coast Highway

Newport Beach, CA 92660

(949) 644-9550

The schedule is subject to change.