Loren Roberts inducted into Toshiba Classic Hall of Fame

Loren Roberts, an eight-time PGA Tour champion and a 13-time Champions Tour winner, was inducted into the Toshiba Classic Hall of Fame at Newport Beach Country Club on Monday.

Roberts, who won the 18th annual Toshiba Classic by two strokes, joined the past tournament champions.

“It’s an honor,” Roberts said. “It just great to be among all those great names.”

Monday proved to be a busy day for Roberts, who met with the media in the morning. He also posed for photos next to his name on the wall that has the Hall of Fame honorees near the putting green. He then conducted a putting clinic for sponsors and those associated with the Toshiba Classic.

He also shared stories and answered questions during a luncheon and he played a round of golf among the 112 sponsors and others associated with the Toshiba Classic.

Roberts won the Toshiba Classic March 20, amid rain and 25-30 mile-per-hour winds during the final round. It was first win since June 27, 2010, a span of 33 starts.

He said he enjoys the course at Newport Beach Country Club and it’s a type of course that makes for a wide-open run for a champion. There hasn’t been a repeat winner at the tournament, yet Hale Irwin won it twice (1998, 2002).

“Being defending champion gives you that feel that you’ve done it before and you can do it again,” Roberts said. “But will be a great field, like it always is.”

The 19th Toshiba Classic is March 11-17 at Newport Beach Country Club.

The Toshiba Classic past champions include Nick Price (2011), Fred Couples (2010), Eduardo Romero (2009), Bernhard Langer (2008), Jay Haas (2007), Brad Bryant (2006), Mark Johnson (2005), Tom Purtzer (2004), Rodger Davis (2003), Jose Maria Canizares (2001), Allen Doyle (2000), Gary McCord (1999), Bob Murphy (1997), Jim Colbert (1996), George Archer (1995) and Irwin.

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