Jones Cup XIV set for June 26

Will Big Canyon Country Club continue its grand success at the Jones Cup, or will host Santa Ana grab its elusive first title this year?

Those are some of the questions to be answered as the 14th Jones Cup comes to Santa Ana Country Club June 26. The date was announced Tuesday.

The Jones Cup, which will start at noon, features the head professional, assistant pro, men’s champion, women’s champion and senior men’s champion of each of the local country clubs Big Canyon, Santa Ana, Mesa Verde and Newport Beach, and Shady Canyon Golf Club.

Last year, Big Canyon captured its eighth Jones Cup and second straight in dramatic fashion. The team went birdie-eagle on the par-five 18th at Newport Beach to force a playoff with Mesa Verde. Mike Carpenter rolled in a heroic 25-foot eagle putt to help secure the playoff and, in the playoff, Gary Singer’s birdie made the difference for the win.

— Steve Virgen