Inside the course: Newport Beach Country Club
Mar. 4, 2009
The Champions Tour returns after a week-long break for the Toshiba Classic in Newport Beach, Calif. Learn more about the host venue -- Newport Beach Country Club.
| Fast facts |
| Original architect |
William Bell and Sons (1953) |
| Course redesign |
Ted Robinson (2000) |
| Course superintendent |
Ron Benedict |
| Number of Champions Tour events as host venue |
14 (including 2009) |
| Course ranking |
Ranked 23 (out of 29) in difficulty on the Champions Tour in 2008 |
| Par value |
71 |
| Yardage history |
6,598 (1996-1998) |
| |
6,584 (1999-2002) |
| |
6,571 (2004-2005) |
| |
6,584 (2006-present) |
| Grass |
Bermudagrass (tees); Kikuyugrass, bermudagrass (fairways); Poa annua (greens); Kikuyugrass (rough) |
| Tournament Stimpmeter |
10.5-11 ft |
| Sand bunkers |
56 |
| Water hazards |
3 |
| Course tour |
Click here |
|
| Course record |
|
Player
Tom Purtzer |
Year
2004 |
Round
1st |
Finish
WON |
|
| Holes-in-one |
| There have been two aces recorded at the Toshiba Classic. |
| Jose Maria Canizares |
No. 8 |
2006 |
| Sammy Rachels |
No. 13 |
2002 |
|
| 2008 Rankings |
| Most Difficult Hole |
 |
The par-3 185-yard 17th
A beautiful hole with a large lake in front of the tee and to the green's edge. A two-tiered rolling green with a large bunker guarding the front and a pot bunker behind the green. Mounds and swales will present a challenge if you miss the green.
2008: 0 eagles, 13 birdies, 153 pars, 57 bogeys, 9 double bogeys, 1 others |
| Easiest hole in 2008 |
 |
The par-5 492-yard 15th
A challenging hole that can be rewarding, but will make you pay the penalty if you make a mistake. A good drive sets you up to see the green and all the trouble that surrounds it. Bunkers surround the left side of the green and a pot bunker is positioned on the right side of the green. The green is two-tiered with mounds and swales around the outer side. Some thirty palm trees around the green will offer challenge if you tend to stray just a little.
2008: 9 eagles, 111 birdies, 99 pars, 13 bogeys, 1 double bogeys, 0 others |
|
|
| Newport Beach Country Club |
2008 rankings | Last 13 years |
| 1 |
4 |
339 |
3.82 |
14 |
3.876 |
15 |
| 2 |
4 |
390 |
3.858 |
12 |
3.931 |
12 |
| 3 |
5 |
549 |
4.635 |
16 |
4.762 |
16 |
| 4 |
3 |
143 |
3 |
9 |
2.982 |
11 |
| 5 |
4 |
430 |
4.21 |
3 |
4.231 |
2 |
| 6 |
4 |
418 |
4.077 |
6 |
4.173 |
5 |
| 7 |
4 |
368 |
3.944 |
11 |
4.062 |
7 |
| 8 |
3 |
203 |
3.258 |
2 |
3.229 |
3 |
| 9 |
4 |
407 |
4.086 |
5 |
4.180 |
4 |
| 10 |
4 |
429 |
3.974 |
10 |
4.019 |
10 |
| 11 |
4 |
344 |
3.815 |
15 |
3.901 |
13 |
| 12 |
4 |
373 |
3.85 |
13 |
3.899 |
14 |
| 13 |
3 |
170 |
3.039 |
7 |
3.051 |
9 |
| 14 |
4 |
397 |
4.026 |
8 |
4.062 |
8 |
| 15 |
5 |
492 |
4.511 |
18 |
4.593 |
18 |
| 16 |
4 |
437 |
4.09 |
4 |
4.099 |
6 |
| 17 |
3 |
185 |
3.279 |
1 |
3.231 |
1 |
| 18 |
5 |
510 |
4.545 |
17 |
4.662 |
17 |
|
| Course origins |
| Not surprisingly, especially for a course that is over 50 years old, the Newport Beach Country Club's distinguishing characteristic is its maturity. The narrow kikuyugrass fairways are lined by bold stands of aged pine and eucalyptus trees, preventing the course from being overwhelmed by long hitters. |
Success is contingent upon accuracy off the tee, and a patient study of the challenging poa annua greens that, according to local knowledge, break toward the Pacific. Originally designed by William Bell in 1953, the Newport Beach Country Club underwent enhancements by Harry Rainville in 1973 and Ted Robinson in 1985 and 2000.
|
| -- Source: Golf Course Superintendents Association of America |
|
| Tournament course history |
| Mesa Verde CC |
Costa Mesa, Calif. |
1995 |
| Newport Beach CC |
Newport Beach, Calif. |
1996-present |
|
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