COURSE REVIEWS

Arnie Comes Marching Into Newport Beach

Preview: Toshiba Senior Classic

By Bob Buttitta,
GolfCalifornia.com Course Reviewer

 

	Arnold Palmer

NEWPORT BEACH - Arnold Palmer hasn't won a Senior PGA tournament since 1988 but to the thousands of fans attending this week's Toshiba Senior Classic that doesn't matter. For diehard members of "Arnie's Army" Palmer remains the biggest thing going, no matter how well he's playing.

That's one reason that the organizers of the Toshiba Senior Classic are so excited that Palmer is making his first ever appearance at the event, scheduled for March 3-5 at the Newport Beach Country Club.

Palmer's presence adds to the excitement about the tournament that has generated increasing interest over the last several years in Southern California. The last three events have featured great finishes and big name winners, starting with the 1999 tournament that featured the first ever win by Gary McCord.

Prior to last year's victory, the CBS analyst had never won in 385 PGA and Senior PGA starts, but that all changed when he bested Allen Doyle, John Jacobs and Al Geiberger on the fifth playoff hole.

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The popular McCord is back to try and defend his title but he'll have a top flight field to contend with including Jacobs, Doyle, Geiberger, plus Lee Trevino, Hale Irwin, Bruce Fleisher and last week's winner Tom Wargo.

Also in the field are senior tour newcomers Tom Kite and Lanny Wadkins, making this year's field one of the most talented in tournament history.

	Gary McCord

In addition to McCord's playoff victory in 1999. Bob Murphy won the 1997 event in a playoff with Jay Sigel and in 1998 Hale Irwin bested Hubert Green by one stroke to claim the top prize.

Weather could be a factor in the final round in the predicted rains hit Southern California. But organizers are keeping their fingers crossed that the weather holds because if it does, attendance at this year's event could be at an all-time high.

Tournament director Jeff Purser said Palmer's first time appearance figures to bring some extra fans in.

"We've got a great field but the fact that Arnie is here makes it that much more special," Purser told reporters. "We will have extra marshals, buses running and concession stands open."

Toshiba Senior Classic
Site: Newport Beach, Calif.
Schedule: Friday-Sunday.
Course: Newport Beach Country Club (6,584 yards, par 71).
Purse: $1.3 million.
Winner's share: $195,000.
Television: ESPN (Friday, 3-5 p.m.; Saturday, 5:30-7 p.m.; Sunday, 6-7:30 p.m.)