They want it back

BY TONY LEE

Mesa Verde Country Club won the inaugural Jones Cup in 2000, but since then its trophy mantle’s been filled with heartbreaking, one-stroke losses and disappointments.

However, in the 10th annual Jones Cup taking place at Santa Ana Country Club, Wednesday at 10 a.m., Mesa Verde’s captain Tom Sargent is confident of the team’s ability to win and adding another trophy on its mantle.

“Our club won the Southern California scratch league last year so we’re happy to play against anybody,” he said.

The Jones Cup is a one-round, best-ball format tournament between four Newport-Mesa Country Clubs — Big Canyon, Santa Ana and Newport Beach being the other three participants.

Joining Sargent, who is also the head professional of Mesa Verde, will be first assistant professional Mark McDonough, women’s club champion Madelaine Campbell, men’s club champion Preston Murray and Ryan Rolfe.

Steve Rhorer, the senior club champ, will not be at the Jones Cup due to a prior engagement, McDonough said.

“Madelaine’s our four-time club champion,” Sargent said. “She’s a very good player. She made it to the quarterfinals in the U.S. women’s senior ... so she’s a national class player. She’s very steady, solid player.”

Rolfe, who played in the 2005 Jones Cup, also echoed Sargent’s view.

“She’s just that good,” he said. “I’m humbled to be in this group.”

Rolfe added if McDonough had time to play more golf, the sky’s the limit to his golf game.

“I’m looking forward to the event,” McDonough said. “I got two young kids at home and an expecting wife at home. I’m not playing as much golf as I would like to be, but certainly looking forward to the opportunity to play golf out there on Wednesday.”

McDonough said Sargent is one of the more passionate and competitive golfers he’s ever met and, “If there’s a guy I want on my team, it’s Tom.”

“He’s been playing tournaments for years and probably one of the best putters I’ve ever seen when he gets it going,” McDonough said. “He’s got a great short game and a lot of fire.”

Rounding out the Mesa Verde squad is Murray, who is known for his accuracy, and not distance, off the tee.

“Preston’s a guy whose game has come on very strong in the last few years,” Sargent said. “He works hard on his game and won our club championship for the first time this year. He’ll be a nice addition.”

All in all, everyone on the Mesa Verde team is looking forward to the Jones Cup.

“It’s a nice thing that Fletcher Jones does for our four local clubs that surrounds their dealership,” Rolfe said. “Over the years, we’ve gotten to know some of the players — if not all the players — and it’s a lot of fun.”

Rolfe added that Fletcher Jones will offer cars for a hole-in-one on holes No. 6 and No. 14 for the competitors.

“I’ve never had a hole-in-one in my life and I’ve been playing since I was very, very young,” Rolfe quipped. “I don’t underestimate the difficulty.”