Column: The Crowd: Toshiba Classic to celebrate tournament play and raise funds for charity

The greatest social event of the season centered around the sport of golf will take Newport Beach by storm once again for the 23rd year as the Toshiba Classic unfolds March 7-11.

For the 20th time the venerable Newport Beach Country Club under General Manager Casey Kaut will host title sponsor Toshiba and a field of golf’s most celebrated pros.

The player roster for 2018 includes John Cook, John Daly, Hale Irwin, Bernhard Langer, Tom Lehman, Scott McCarron, Corey Pavin, Vijay Singh, Craig Standler and Duffy Waldorf.

The fun begins on March 5, with events scheduled for a full week preceding tournament play which tees off with Round One on March 9.

On March 6, a “Breakfast of Champions,” sponsored by Allergan, will unfold at Balboa Bay Resort inviting players, sponsors and VIP guests to join in launching the Toshiba week in Newport.

On Wednesday and Thursday, early competition begins with shotgun starts in both the morning and afternoon. On Friday morning Round One of the Professional Competition takes over the course.

Special events this year include “Military Appreciation Day,” presented by sponsor Microsemi honoring the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. This takes place on March 10 with an opening ceremony at 9:15 a.m.

All members of the military, both current and past, are welcome to attend with no charge for admission.

At the close of play around 5 p.m., pro John Daly will offer a live performance on the 17th green with his band, also welcoming all guests including the military in attendance.

Another special event “Womanology” will unfold on March 9 with a presentation in the grand ballroom of Newport Beach Country Club. The gathering will focus on women’s health and wellness issues in partnership with Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian and Toshiba sponsors including Allergan, Cigna, Helton Law Group and Surterre Properties.

A panel discussion will feature well-known women leaders and physicians from Hoag Hospital leading discussion in the morning followed by an interactive gallery and brunch.

Participants are invited to stay and watch the opening round of golf following the morning event. This event requires a pre-purchased reservation and ticket. To attend, visit toshibaclassic.com.

Tournament play continues all weekend with the final round on March 11. That Sunday is also “Student Day,” with complimentary admission offered to students ages 18 and under.

A “Kids Fun Zone” will be set up behind the ninth green and a putting contest will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. For specific details, a social media lounge behind the 18th green will be operating with all the directions and/or changes during the tournament.

The entire community is invited to join in the “experience” as it is being labeled by Toshiba Classic Tournament chair Ira Garbutt.

A number of tournament sponsors are producing additional events for the entire family of spectators. A Coors Light Cantina will certainly be a major watering hole with its big screen TVs.

Volvo is creating a “Volvo Auto Experience” showcasing its new XC60 luxury automobile. Blue Shield of California is hosting a Portrait Studio in what is being called “The Hoag Health Village.” They will also sponsor additional special surprises including a “California Senior Section” on the ninth hole and a family section for fans of all ages at the 18th green.

Then there is the PAU Maui Hawaiian Village located off the 10th fairway, 14th green and 18th tee box. It’s the perfect place to watch the back nine holes while enjoying PAU Maui Vodka cocktails and island inspired fare.

The most important part of this sporting entertainment is the connection to Hoag Hospital.

Over the past 20 seasons the Toshiba Classic has affiliated with Hoag raising and donating $20 million to the hospital for patient services, research and more.

Under the auspices of Jeff Purser, tournament executive director of Hoag Charity Sports, the Toshiba Classic has made history on the PGA Campion Tour. It was the first such tournament to raise over $1 million for charity setting a high bar for the PGA Tour.

Hoag President and CEO Robert Braithwaite proudly joined the call to the community to participate pointing out that over the past seven years since 2011, the Mary and Dick Allen Diabetes Center at Hoag has been a principal beneficiary of funds from the Classic.

Braithwaite sent a special nod to the more than 1,000 volunteers, 200 sponsors and some 80,000 guests who make this all a reality.

Here is the low-down on tickets and parking:

Save $5 off Good-Any-One Day Tickets to the 23rd Toshiba Classic by purchasing in advance. Good-Any-One-Day Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the main gate. Every day of the tournament, kids ages 11 and under are admitted free. For tickets, visit ToshibaClassic.com/tickets or local Roger Dunn Golf shops.

To register for complimentary tickets during Military Appreciation Day on , March 10, visit bit.ly/2CzzqF4.

Parking is plentiful. Go to the website for all specific locations and available spaces.

B.W. COOK is editor of the Bay Window, the official publication of the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.