Jeff Purser, executive director of Hoag Charity Sports and his team are making final arrangements for the anticipated return of the Hoag Classic at Newport Beach Country Club over the first week in March with championship tournament play March 6 through 8.
The golf event has been seriously missed during the pandemic; it’s a shining star of community support for Hoag, puts a spotlight on professional golf played in the O.C. and is viewed nationwide. According to Purser, the 2022 tournament will return with a record $2-million purse on the PGA Tour Champions schedule.
This year, as in previous outings at NBCC, the weeklong event will include Military Appreciation Day, Student Day, among special programs planned reaching out to the community. Such special programming will be sponsored and underwritten by a host of presenting sponsors led by Hoag in the title sponsor position. Among the generous are Konica Minolta, City National Bank, Kingston Technology, Surgical Theater and Allergan, to name only a few.
Local citizens joining the corporate sponsor ranks include Alan Adams, Hank Adler, Dick and Hyla Bertea, Alan Beyer, Bob and Terry Callahan, Jim and Viki Coufos, Bob Sorosky, Dave Wheeler and Burton Young.
Among other pros expected on the field for the Classic are Billy Andrade, John Cook, John Daly, Jay Haas, Berhard Langer, Tom Lehman, Corey Pavin, Loren Roberts, Vijay Singh and Kirk Triplett.
Originally launched as the Senior PGA Tour in 1995, the tournament history began with play at Mesa Verde Country Club, Costa Mesa. Toshiba was the event sponsor for 23 seasons. In 2019, Hoag Hospital took over the title sponsorship. This year’s event marks the 26th golf outing for Orange County’s only professional tournament.
As March arrives with COVID pressure hopefully lessened, the crowds will come practicing safe social distancing and protocols still in discussion to ensure the ideal tournament experience. The Hoag Classic will be headlined by Ernie Els, World Golf Hall of Famer joined by a roster at this time that includes Jim Furyk, Steve Strickler and David Dural. Many more players have yet to confirm.
Perhaps most significant is the role this championship golf plays in supporting Hoag Hospital and the overall community health at large, in addition to many other important local needs and nonprofits. Purser, who has been in charge of the event since 1998, has raised more than $21 million. Pre-pandemic shutdown, the Hoag Classic became the first senior tour championship to raise $1 million for charity in one year.
To learn more about the Hoag Classic, including tickets and admission policies visit hoagclassic.com.
By: Daily Pilot
