Sponsor Pullout Causes Shootout Event to Be Canceled

By Steve Kresal

March 12, 1996 12 AM PT

The Senior PGA Tour shootout scheduled for today at Newport Beach County Club has been canceled because the sponsor pulled out, a tournament official said Monday.

The event has been replaced by a 4:30 p.m. youth clinic hosted by John Paul Cain and Rives McBee.

Bob Neely, president of International Sports & Event Marketing, which is running the Toshiba Senior Classic, declined to name the sponsor that backed out.

The shootout is a nine-hole event that starts with 10 players. One is eliminated on each hole until the final two meet on the ninth hole. The total purse for such events is usually $15,100.

Jim Albus took first place and $5,000 at last year’s event.

“We had a corporate sponsor but they pulled out and it was too late to get another one,” Neely said. “But we’ll use it as a learning experience and have a backup sponsor next year.”

Added to the field: Bob Irving shot a six-under 64 to earn one of the final four spots in qualifying Monday at Marbella Golf & Country Club in San Juan Capistrano.

The other three spots in the 78-player tournament, which starts Friday at Newport Beach Country Club, went to Steve Spray, Mike Harper and Jimmie Adams. All shot 69.

In last year’s Toshiba Classic, James Marshall was the top finisher among the four qualifiers. He tied for 50th and won $2,240.

Marion Heck, who expected to have to qualify last year, got a spot in the field when Billy Casper dropped out. Heck went on to finish fourth, good for $48,000.

The man in black: Gary Player was the biggest draw Monday even though he didn’t play in the Kraft Celebrity Pro-Am.

Player spent about an hour on and around the putting green working on his short game and visiting with spectators.

Player offered advice on several subjects from chipping (use a six- or seven-iron unless you have to go over a trap) to getting at least three opinions when seeking medical attention.

“Do you realize that 70% of the shots in golf are played from 100 yards and in?” Player asked the gathering of about 50.

Someone then ask Player why Jack Nicklaus was a such a great player if he had only an average short game?

Player pointed out that Nicklaus was a great putter and said “[Nicklaus] has the best mind of any athlete ever.”

An amateur team led by professional Lee Elder won Monday’s event with a 15-under 56.

The other members of the team were Hal Brown, John Brass and Lou and Jim Amen.

One shot back was a team of professional Frank Conner, Don Davis, Bob Lockhart, Michael Mineni and Harvey Palash.

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Senior Golf Schedule

Here’s a look at the Toshiba Senior Classic:

Course: Newport Beach Country Club, 1600 E. Pacific Coast Highway

Schedule:

* Wednesday: Pro-am, first start at 7:15 a.m.