Toshiba draws a crowd

NEWPORT BEACH - Toshiba Senior Classic Tournament Director Jeff

Purser estimated the week’s attendance between 60,000 and 65,000,

including 17,000 to 18,000 for Sunday’s dramatic final round, a

surprisingly large turnout considering the forecast.

Purser said some tournament directors hold up their thumb, take one

big look at the crowd, then guess at an attendance figure.

“I look at all the gate receipts, the exchanged coupons and badges

counted and count the people we had on the shuttle buses, then look at

cash receipts on food sales, make sure everything gels, then evaluate

everything and arrive at a number,” he said. “I won’t (exaggerate).”

Saturday’s attendance, estimated between 20,000 and 21,000, was the

largest of the tournament.

Purser said if the Toshiba Senior Classic was held later in March in

warm, sunny weather, the event would draw 85,000 to 90,000 people and

raise $1.3 million for charity.

This year’s event raised $1 million for the second straight year.

-- by Richard Dunn