GOLF IN THE ‘90S : Briton Is Making a Push for County Championship

There have been plenty of golf championships contested on Orange County courses.

The LPGA has come through from time to time, at Mesa Verde Country Club in Costa Mesa and, for the past two years, at Los Coyotes Country Club in Buena Park. Another is set for late September.

The Golden State Tour, a California-based mini-tour, plays here once in a while. And every weekend, there is some sort of club tournament.

But Orange County and its thousands of golfers, men and women, lack a chance to determine a county champion. Such tournaments are held in San Diego, Los Angeles and Long Beach.

“It’s a shame,” said Bill Cunerty, golf coach at Saddleback College. “That would really be something to get everyone together and tee it up to see who was the best.”

But an attempt is being made.

Paul Flockhart, who runs Andrews International--a golf management and consulting firm in El Toro--put on what he called an Orange County men’s amateur championship last year at Pacific Golf Club in San Clemente. He has scheduled another for Sept. 30.

Flockhart came to the United States from Britain 11 years ago at the age of 17.

“That is the only thing I miss about England, the chance to play in a good amateur tournament every weekend,” he said. “Over there I had my pick of them. St. Andrews had a 72-hole tournament every year that cost maybe $30.”

Inexpensive isn’t a word that would describe this year’s tournament, which is to be played over 18 holes at Coto de Caza Golf and Racket Club. It will cost $125 per player and will be played in three flights: 0-5 certified handicap, 6-14 and 14-25.

“You want to have the tournament on the best course possible, and unfortunately that means it will cost,” Flockhart said. “I lost maybe $2,000 last year and hope to break even this year. I’m hoping down the road that with some sponsorship we can get the cost down.”