Golf Tournament Managers Looking for a New Home

NEWPORT BEACH —  After digesting the fact that the Toshiba Senior Classic won’t be returning to Newport Beach Country Club next year, the event’s management company is turning its energy toward finding a new home.

And Bob Neely, president of International Sports and Event Marketing, says his company won’t be slow about it.

“I want to do this pretty fast in deference to the tournament, the course we go to and the charities,” Neely said. “I want to make sure we get this done very quickly.

“We haven’t set a deadline, but I can tell you we’ll have it done by the end of the month.”

ISM has started listing potential courses, Neely said. He declined to name them but said there were seven or eight under consideration, all in Orange County.

At least two courses have emerged as strong candidates, one of which--Coto de Caza--was a finalist when the tournament moved from Mesa Verde to Newport Beach in 1996.

Another is Tustin Ranch, whose general manager, Mike Lichty, said he spoke on the phone Tuesday with Stephen Wagner, ISM’s tournament chairman.

Lichty said he and Crown Golf, the company that manages Tustin Ranch, would be interested in holding the event, but first must obtain approval from the owner, Sanyo Foods Corporation of America.

Lichty said he got the impression from Wagner that Tustin Ranch and Coto de Caza were the top candidates.

Certainly, Lichty said, Tustin Ranch would be a good fit for the Senior PGA Tour event that already has had two sites in its three-year history.

Lichty noted that Jim Colbert, the senior tour’s leading money winner in 1995 and ‘96, already has said as much. Colbert’s management company ran Tustin Ranch when it opened in 1989, and at the time Colbert said, “I’d love to get some type of tournament here.”

Neely said among the considerations in the decision--which must be approved by senior tour officials--will be the condition of the course, space for spectators, distance from large population base, suitability of clubhouse facilities and level of interest of the club.

Coto de Caza officials couldn’t be reached for comment Tuesday, but the country club finished second to Newport Beach the last time. Coto de Caza has two courses--both considered among the toughest in the county--the 7,089-yard north course and the newer 6,943-yard south.

From the back tees, Tustin Ranch is 6,736 yards.

“I think both golf courses could work,” Lichty said. “Either one would be a good choice.”