Zoeller, Bean go to camp

Bryce Alderton

Fuzzy Zoeller always seems to attract a healthy amount of fans

wherever he goes and the Toshiba Senior Classic at Newport Beach

Country Club is no exception.

Zoeller, a fan favorite, makes it a point to interact with

spectators, whether it be a witty one-liner on the driving range, or

in front of a group of kids at an instructional clinic.

There is a reason Toshiba Tournament Director Jeff Purser asked

Zoeller to participate in past activities such as question-and-answer

sessions and delight the crowd during the annual Champions Breakfast,

held each Tuesday of tournament week.

“[Zoeller] enjoys it and he brings people in,” Purser said. “And

while he is competitive and wants to win, he understands it is a

game.”

Just the reason Purser invited Zoeller, 53, a two-time winner on

the Champions Tour, and Andy Bean to host a junior golf clinic,

sponsored by Wells Fargo, on Newport Beach Country Club’s driving

range from 5 to 6:15 p.m. following Saturday’s second round.

Crews will install six 30-foot tall portable light towers on the

range for the clinic, Marc Sorgatz, tournament operations manager,

said.

One hundred children from the Boys & Girls Club of Garden Grove

and other organizations are expected to attend the event, anticipated

to draw 400 youth ages 5 to 12.

It is closed to the public.

Today is the final day ESPN Radio 710 will award family packs of

four tickets to 25 listeners. In addition, anyone who opens a

checking account package with a Stagecoach Kids Club Account at any

of Wells Fargo’s 83 Orange County bank locations will receive a

family package of tickets to the clinic.

The children will be invited to attend the second round of the

Toshiba Senior Classic, receive dinner provided by Wells Fargo, and

participate in the clinic with Zoeller and Bean, including an

opportunity to hit golf shots.

Purser said it has been about 10 years since the last junior

clinic during tournament week. He added the prior clinic was held on

a Tuesday night and didn’t draw as many children since it was a

school night.

“[Zoeller and Bean] are great with kids,” Purser said.

Zoeller’s best finish through four Champions Tour events this year

was a 10th at the MasterCard championship in January. He has made the

cut in all four events after undergoing a successful angioplasty Dec.

30 to repair blockage in two arteries.

Zoeller, a former U.S. Open and Masters champion, viewed the

procedure live on TV and came home the following day.

After the procedure he responded to reporters’ inquires about his

health.

“Well, it didn’t kill me,” Zoeller said.

Bean finished sixth in driving distance (286.6 yards) and fifth in

total birdies (320) while placing among the top 25 in 16 of 28 events

played in 2004. He also hit the longest recorded drive on the tour

last year -- a 375-yard blast at the FedEx Kinkos Classic.

An area adjacent to the 18th green will allow fans a chance for

players to sign autographs after their rounds. Photo opportunities

and autograph sessions during happy hour, however, will not return

this year, according to Hoag Hospital staff.