Jones Cup Preview: Here comes Big C

For the past two years, Big Canyon Country Club has won the Jones Cup, establishing itself as the premiere team of the event that is in its 14th year.

Big Canyon’s back-to-back featured men’s champion Mike Carpenter and senior champ Gary Singer, as they helped the club win titles No. 7 and 8 in its proud history. But the club’s quest for a third straight title will be without Carpenter and Singer.

Robert Pang, Big Canyon’s head pro and team captain, remains confident the club will remain in contention and have the opportunity to win with a new lineup for this year’s Jones Cup Wednesday at Santa Ana Country Club.

Taylor Wood has helped with that confidence. The Big Canyon men’s champion is a former USC All-American who will be making his Jones Cup debut.

Steve Collins returns to the Jones Cup as the Big Canyon senior champion as he did in 2004.

Big Canyon also has Jillian Braverman making her Jones Cup debut. The Big Canyon women’s champion is a former Corona del Mar High and Pepperdine tennis standout.

Braverman is also a model. She hopes to be posing for photos with the Jones Cup trophy Wednesday night.

“We’re fortunate to have great players,” Pang said. “Each year we change players and we all play well together. It’s always a fun time. We’ve been able to put it together … You just have to feel confident playing together. We’ll be fine.”

Pang is joined by assistant pro Michael Castillo and will be going up against Santa Ana, Newport Beach, Mesa Verde and Shady Canyon in the 18-hole event that has a two best-ball format.

Pang said enjoying the event is key for his team.

“It’s a matter of just going out there and having fun,” he said. “Everyone understands the event. We go out and have a good time and see what happens. Obviously, you want to win. But it’s great to have fun and be a part of the camaraderie of the tournament. We’re just happy to participate.”

In addition to the Jones Cup, the past two years have been great for Big Canyon with regard to the events the club has hosted.

In 2012, the SCGA Amateur Championship was played at Big Canyon. Earlier this month, Big Canyon was one of two sites, along with Newport Beach, for golf’s longest day, the U.S. Open Sectional Qualifier. It’s the final event to land a spot in the U.S. Open.

“It’s been great,” Pang said. “With the SCGA Am and Open Sectional, we’ve enjoyed hosting the events. The players have enjoyed it. The golf course has held up very well with the events.”

Pang believes Big Canyon will continue to host big-time events.

The 2014 USGA Senior Amateur Championship will be at Big Canyon.

In the meantime the club will try to win a couple more Jones Cup titles.