Club’s Course in Good Shape for Newport Beach Pro-Am

The Newport Beach Country Club’s acquisition of the Toshiba Senior Classic is proving to be a boon for the club’s other professional tournament--this month’s Taco Bell Newport Classic Pro-Am.

Usually, at this time of year the fairway grass in the Southland is dormant, but early preparations for the Senior PGA Tour event in March have the Newport Beach course looking lush.

Jake Rohrer, chairman of the Newport Classic, said some tee boxes have been rebuilt and the fairways have been overseeded. “The golf course will be in the best condition it’s ever been for our event,” Rohrer said,

“I guess we could consider ourselves kind of a tuneup for the Toshiba Senior Classic, but we’ve been around a lot longer,” Rohrer said, laughing. “So we are a bit sensitive about that.”

The 22nd annual Newport Classic, Jan. 26-27, is one of the better bargains in Orange County competitive sports. Admission is free and although most of the names aren’t familiar to the casual golf fan, they might be one day.

Among those who have played in the tournament in the past are Payne Stewart, Fuzzy Zoeller, Chip Beck and Peter Jacobsen. This year’s field still isn’t set, but defending champion R.W. Eaks of Scottsdale, Ariz., is scheduled to return, as are Jeff Hart, Tim Stankowski, Craig Kanada and Mark Wurtz, who all finished among the top five.

Newport Beach’s Cathy Mockett, who last year became the first women professional to play in the tournament, is expected to play again along with five other LPGA players: Sharon Barrett, Pat Hurst, Kim Saiki, Pearl Sinn and Muffin Spencer-Devlin.

Over the years, the tournament has raised more than $1.8 million for Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian. It is expected to bring in another $200,000 this year.

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An announcement about players committed to play in the Toshiba Senior Classic should come soon, but because of the increase in prize money--from $800,000 to $1 million--most of the best senior golfers will probably be here.

Defending champion George Archer will be back and is expected to be joined by Lee Trevino, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Jim Colbert, Dave Stockton, Al Geiberger, Hale Irwin, Bob Charles and Bob Murphy.

Tickets for the March 11-17 event can be purchased at Ticketmaster, local pro shops and various other locations. Season badges are $60 before Feb. 1 and $75 thereafter. Prices for daily tickets range from $5-$25. Call (714) 646-9007 for more information.

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When he was attending Valencia High, Chris Tidland said his ideal first date would be on a driving range. Apparently, Tidland has found a mate who shares his interests.

Tidland and Amy Bell, a Valencia classmate and neighbor of Tidland’s, were married Saturday in Orange. Among Tidland’s ushers were Alan Bratton, Kris Cox and Leif Westerberg, teammates on the 1995 NCAA champion Oklahoma State men’s golf team.

Tidland, who recently turned professional, will play on the Nike Tour this year. His wife will be his caddie.

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Notes

The River View Golf Course in Santa Ana, which for nearly two years has been a nine-hole course because of flood control work in the Santa Ana River, is planning to reopen its 18-hole layout Feb. 3 . . . The Taco Bell Newport Classic is offering a free clinic conducted by the David Leadbetter Golf Academy at 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26. Former PGA Tour pro Brian Mogg will lead the clinic, which will provide tips to improve golf techniques . . . Bob Johns, head professional at Dad Miller Golf Course the last 19 years, has been named director of golf for the city of Anaheim, effective Feb. 1. Roger Teel, former head pro and general manager at Upland Hills Country Club, will be head pro at Dad Miller and Scott Stubbs, an assistant pro at Hacienda Golf Club in La Habra Heights, will be head pr at the Anaheim Hills course.

The Orange County Golf Notebook runs monthly. Readers are encouraged to suggest items. Call (714) 966-5904, fax 966-5663 or e-mail Martin.Beck@latimes.com.