Golf: Pelican Hill is Jack’s House

Richard Dunn

Even though Jack Nicklaus didn’t design the two championship

courses at Pelican Hill Golf Club, he certainly plays there as if he did.

Nicklaus, who turns 61 on Jan. 21, is very particular about where he

plays.

Aside from the major championships and selected events on the Senior

PGA Tour, Nicklaus doesn’t play much competitive golf, concentrating on

other businesses, including golf-course architecture and development

around the world.

In fact, Nicklaus said earlier this year that 2000 would be his final

tour of playing in all four majors, and the only reason he did is because

the courses meant something to him (i.e. the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach

and British Open at St. Andrews). His game has been otherwise off the

mark.

But there’s something about Pelican Hill that brings out the best in

Nicklaus, who has played in more majors (159) than anyone in history and

won a record 18 major championships. The Golden Bear made a career and

reputation of playing well in golf’s biggest events. Remember, he also

finished second in 19 majors.

And, after his second straight title in the Hyundai Team Matches at

Pelican Hill with partner Tom Watson in the Senior Tour portion of the

made-for-television event Sunday, Nicklaus hinted that his hot putter

might urge him to play more than originally thought in 2001.

“I really don’t know what I’m going to do,” said Nicklaus.

The legendary Golden Bear, who played well last year in the Team

Matches at Pelican Hill, including an unofficial opening-round of 62,

played his best golf of 2000 at Pelican Hill again.

“This week has been an eye-opener for me, because I felt terrific

every time with the putter,” Nicklaus said after teaming with Tom Watson

to win the Team Matches for the second straight year, while improving to

8-0 lifetime with Watson in match play.

While unsustained rumors have already circulated about the event

leaving Pelican Hill, the course that Tom Fazio built has clearly become

Jack’s House.

One thing’s for sure: Nicklaus said he isn’t playing in the Toshiba

Senior Classic at Newport Beach Country Club in early March, week No. 9

on the calendar.

Nicklaus has never played in the Toshiba Classic -- the tournament is

not a major and he did not design the golf course -- and probably never

will.

“But I’ll probably play San Jose (in week 11, which caps a three-tournament California swing on the Senior Tour),” Nicklaus said.

“Because that’s a course I built.”

Nicklaus said he doesn’t remember ever having been contacted by

Toshiba Classic officials, but added: “I’m sure they’ve sent a form

letter like every other tournament ... but, no, I still don’t plan on

(playing in the 2001 Toshiba Classic).”

The latest Toshiba Classic signals the beginning of three Senior Tour

events in California, the first time in seven years the local stop has

had company.

The event again occupies the year’s ninth week, but in 2001 it will be

immediately followed by the SBC Senior Classic, previously held in

October at Wilshire Country Club in Los Angeles, and a new event, the

Siebel Classic in Silicon Valley at Coyote Creek Golf Club in San Jose,

the Nicklaus-designed course.

Interesting how ABC Sports and broadcasters Roger Twibell and Curtis

Strange referred to the Team Matches at Pelican Hill as played in Newport

Beach, not Newport Coast, during its five-hour weekend telecast

(including an extra hour’s worth Sunday because of the two playoffs).

That’s a victory for the Newport Beach Conference & Visitors Bureau,

which argued in favor of calling it “Newport Beach,” no doubt a broader

and better description for a television event at Pelican Hill or anywhere

else in the Greater Newport Area (three communities are scheduled to be

annexed by the city, including Newport Coast).

Former Newport golf instructor Ray Carrasco, a current standout on the

European Senior Tour and pro at Strawberry Farms Golf Club, has committed

to play in today’s Holiday Invitational Pro-Am at Newport Beach Golf

Course.

Problem is, though, Carrasco had jury duty Wednesday and was concerned

about making today’s early 8 a.m. tee time.

Carrasco, a Toshiba Classic veteran but a jury duty neophyte, was told

to “wear a bow tie and they won’t pick you.”

We’ll know this morning if it worked.

The second annual Holiday Invitational Pro-Am is a small event for

senior pros, directed by Newport Beach Golf Course starter Keith Wyrick,

also the course-record holder at the executive course with a 49. The

event benefits a boy and a girl with cystic fibrosis.

Hank Woodrome (Fullerton Golf Course), the Southern California PGA

Senior Player of the Year and money leader in 2000, will be among two

dozen senior pros playing today.

Former club pro Bruce Fleisher, the leading money winner on the Senior

PGA Tour in his rookie year 1999, enjoyed another big year in 2000. But,

last week, he called himself “just a journeyman” before striking it rich

on the Senior Tour with over $4.8 million in two years.

However, a club pro’s life isn’t all that bad.

“If you’re in the right situation, and, like at certain country clubs,

you might want to stay there (and never attempt to play on the senior

circuit), because it’s a great life,” Fleisher said. “You get home early

and you can be with your family. It’s a nice routine and a nice life.”

Fleisher, though, doesn’t mind his current weekend routines.

The eighth annual Estancia High Eagle Golf Classic is Jan. 15 at Costa

Mesa Golf & Country Club with the first tee time at 9 a.m.

The event is an important fund-raiser for the Estancia Athletic

Department. Cost per player is $95 ($360 per foursome), which includes

green fees, cart, dinner and prizes. Details: (949) 951-5435.

Richard Dunn’s golf column appears every Thursday.