Kids get close to Fuzzy

NEWPORT BEACH — Fuzzy Zoeller began playing golf at age 3, but he didn’t have what 100 or so children had Saturday afternoon.

About 100 children from organizations such as Special Olympics, Orangewood Children’s Home and Olive Crest, watched and listened to Zoeller. The 10-time PGA Tour winner, answered questions, gave grip tips and guided a few swings for the children inside a tent for the Charles Schwab Junior Golf Clinic at Newport Beach Country Club, site of this weekend’s Toshiba Classic.

“I would have [given anything] to have the opportunity to rub elbows with a golf pro [when I was young],” Zoeller, in his sixth year teaching the clinic, said.

The threat of rain caused organizers to move the clinic from the driving range to inside a tent.

Before the start, Zoeller, 58, said, “This will be off the cuff. But it will work.”

Zoeller, who tees off at 11:20 a.m. on the 10th hole in today’s Toshiba Classic final round, spoke about grip and then answered questions, most from the children.

Some questions asked were, “Why do they call you Fuzzy?”; “What inspires you to play golf?”; “How many holes-in-one have you had?”; “What are your favorite golf courses?”

To the favorite golf course question, Zoeller said, Champions Pointe Golf Club and Covered Bridge Golf Club because, “I own them.” Both courses are in Indiana, where Zoeller was born.

A few kids received a lesson from Zoeller on holding the club and practiced their swing hitting nerf-type balls.

Jake Rieger, 7, from Portola Hills said, “It was exciting,” receiving a lesson from Zoeller. Rieger’s father, Jeff, said they practice at the driving range. When asked about his favorite part of golf, Jake said, “When I hit big swings.”

Rancho Santa Margarita resident Shawn Mierczynski, 15, had positive words for Zoeller, who lived by a golf course growing up and played basketball and baseball, after he swung through the ball.

“[Zoeller is] a great guy. I really enjoyed it,” Mierczynski, who plays baseball and football, said. Mierczynski learned about grip and was with mother, Brenda, and sister, Jenna, 7.

Before the clinic, golf team members from Corona del Mar and University high schools took children on the course and talked to them about history and etiquette, Marr Leisure, junior events committee chairman, said.

The kids were then treated to pizzas from California Pizza Kitchen, and received T-shirts.