Toshiba Classic to unfold

Toshiba Classic week begins today and, as usual, it boasts almost all of the tour’s best and most popular players, including seven former event winners.

All but two of the 78 slots are filled ? the qualifying for the final two spots will take place today at Goose Creek Golf Club in Mira Loma.

Locally, the festivities get underway with today’s Pro-Am, which begins at 12:15.

“We’ve got a roster of great guys, great personalities and great golfers, including Hall of Famers,” Tournament Director Jeff Purser said.

The dynamic field includes Hall of Famers Lee Trevino, Hale Irwin and Raymond Floyd. Irwin is the only two-time winner of the event. He captured titles in 1998 and 2002. Trevino, along with Tom Kite and Craig Stadler, return to the Toshiba Classic after missing last year.

USC graduates Dave Stockton, Stadler and Scott Simpson are entered, so a strong Trojan contingent is expected to be on hand. Stockton has played in the event every year since its inception in 1995.

Fan favorites Ben Crenshaw (two-time Masters champion), Fuzzy Zoeller and Peter Jacobson also are competing in the Toshiba Classic.

The former event champions returning include Jim Colbert (1996), Irwin, Gary McCord (1999), Allen Doyle (2000), Jose Maria Canizares (2001), Tom Purtzer (2004) and Mark Johnson, who captured his first professional title at the Toshiba Classic last year.

Jerry Pate, who won the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am in February, is slated to compete, as is Newport Beach Country Club head professional Paul Hahn, who received an exemption.

Possibly the most notable name not entered into this year’s Toshiba Classic is Loren Roberts, who is competing in the AT&T; Classic in Santa Clarita. Roberts won the first three Champions Tour events of the year.

Other top players among this year’s money leaders competing in the Toshiba Classic include Jim Thorpe, Des Smyth, Morris Hatalsky, Tom Jenkins, Brad Bryant and Don Pooley.

With Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Chi Chi Rodriguez no longer competing on the Champions Tour, Purser said he’s thrilled with the final player list.

“I don’t know how we could do any better,” Purser said.

The “Breakfast with a Champion,” boasting keynote speaker Jacobsen, takes place Tuesday at the Newport Beach Marriott.

The first round of the Toshiba Classic tournament starts Friday, with tee times beginning at approximately 7:45 a.m. The tournament runs through Sunday.dpt.10-toshiba-logo-CPhotoInfoOC1OSJ3520060313iuebthnc(LA)