A familiar caddy at the Toshiba Classic

This Toshiba Classic came just like any other for Dave Donnellan, but then all of a sudden it didn’t.

Donnellan, a former Newport Beach Country Club professional, usually visits Newport Beach for the Toshiba Classic to caddy in the Pro-Ams. Only this year, he received a special phone call a few days before the week began asking him to work during the tournament as a caddy for Hale Irwin.

“That’s a legend,” Donnellan said Sunday after Irwin finished tied for 69th (74-72-70 — three over 216). “He’s won [the Toshiba Classic] twice. He’s won 45 Champions Tour titles, 20 PGA Tour titles, three US Opens, and was a member of five Ryder Cup teams … So, it cost me $300 to change my flight [from Sunday morning to Sunday night], but it was well worth it.”

Donnellan is in charge of Donnellan Golf, which manages player development programs at Hyannis Golf Course, Olde Barnstable Fairgrounds, Twin Brooks Golf Course and Donnellan Golf 365, a state-of-the-art indoor facility. All facilities are in Barnstable, Mass.

He enjoys spending vacation in Newport Beach for the Toshiba Classic and reuniting with lifelong friends who knew him from when he started at the Newport Beach Country Club in 1999, when he found his calling.

Before then, he seemed lost just after earning a finance degree at Merrimack College in North Andover, Mass.

“I was working for Dean Witter; I was working in Boston and I hated it,” Donnellan said. “I called a friend of mine out here and I said, ‘I’m on my way. I’m going to come take a vacation.’ ”

Donnellan said he bought a one-way ticket and brought along his golf clubs trying to see what California had to offer.

He found an apartment in Orange County for $397.50 a month and started to work at Newport Beach Country Club, picking up balls at the driving range. He was making $4.50 an hour. After two weeks, he worked in the bag room, then over to the pro shop within six months. He joined the PGA program later that year too, and became an assistant pro.

He left NBCC in 2001, when he moved to Sweden, where his wife is from. For the past seven years, he’s worked for Donnellan Golf.

When Donnellan comes back for the Toshiba Classic, he sees many friends, including those dear to him, Ron Benedict, the course superintendent who was Donnellan’s roommate, and Pam Higgins, the teaching pro who was Donnellan’s mentor.

“I’ve maintained those friendships and relationships so it’s wonderful to come back and see them,” Donnellan said. “The reason why I caddy in the Pro-Ams is because I’m a PGA teacher. I learn so much. Nobody knows what I’m doing out here but I’m watching technique. I’m watching the different swing styles. I’m very close to the champions.”

Irwin requested a caddy for the Toshiba Classic, and Donnellan’s name was on the top of that list, he said.

Donnellan was ready.

“I can show up, keep up and shut up,” Donnellan says in a Boston accent. “All the requirements of a good caddy.”

Donnellan learned plenty from Irwin, “a fantastic ball striker and a fabulous iron player.”

“He didn’t like the way he was hitting, but I sure did,” Donnellan said.

Irwin, 71, who was probably playing in his final Toshiba Classic, signed more than 100 memorabilia items for fans, Donnellan said. Donnellan was impressed with Irwin’s competitive spirit and his graciousness to fans.

The 2016 Toshiba Classic was another great one, the first time the tournament was played with Newport Beach Country Club’s new posh clubhouse adding to the gorgeous scenery.

“The clubhouse is magnificent,” Donnellan said. “It is truly splendid … Newport Beach Country Club grew up.”

Jay Haas came away with the Toshiba victory, his second one, joining Irwin and Fred Couples as those who have won it twice.

Haas said the win was special because of the recent passing of his friend and legendary golfer, Arnold Palmer.

Donnellan is familiar with Palmer. In 2008, Donnellan received a great opportunity to caddy for Palmer at Tradition in La Quinta.

Donnellan had worked there the year before as an assistant and was calling to find work again. Instead, he was offered the opportunity to caddy for Palmer for three weeks, and during Palmer’s King’s Crown, his member-guest tournament.

There are many great memories from that time for Donnellan.

“The first thing he said to me was, ‘I’m 78 years old. I’m an old man. I play golf like an old man and I hate it.’ ” Donellan said. “He was gracious, oh man was he just unbelievable. Unbelievable to every single person who came up to him. He told me to go back to Sweden. ‘Go home and go back to your family.’ I would say. ‘No. I think I’ll just stay here for a while.’ We had such a nice time.”

STEVE VIRGEN is the sports editor of the Daily Pilot. He can be reached at steven.virgen@latimes.com.