Jones Cup scheduled for late-summer appointment

The Jones Cup, which brings together champions, golf professionals

and staff members from each of the four private clubs in

Newport-Mesa, will be held at 1 p.m. Aug. 30 at Santa Ana Country

Club, Director of Golf Mike Reehl confirmed Tuesday.

The event, which went through a format change last year, features

a women’s, men’s and senior club champion from each club, along with

a golf professional from that venue’s staff, as part of a team.

There is a possibility of adding a fifth member per team.

The four teams play best ball.

Newport Beach Country Club won last year’s event on their home

course with a 5-under-par 66, three strokes ahead of both Santa Ana

and Big Canyon country clubs.

Santa Ana Country Club has hosted two Tea Cup Classics (1998 and

2002) and one Jones Cup (2001).

The Tea Cup Classic, which enjoyed a seven-year reign, pitted the

four women’s club champions against one another in an 18-hole,

stroke-play competition.

The Jones Cup, which debuted in 2000, featured the men’s champion

and a golf staff professional from each club against three other

teams in a best ball competition.

Senior club champions eligible for this year’s Jones Cup so far

include Danny Bibb (Big Canyon), Chris Veitch (Santa Ana) and Bryan

Rolfe (Mesa Verde).

On the ladies side, Marianne Towersey (Santa Ana), and Akemi

Khaiat (Mesa Verde) have already qualified while Mike Carpenter (Big

Canyon) and Steve Rhorer (Mesa Verde) have each claimed men’s club

championships at their respective clubs.

-- Bryce Alderton