OC executives are jumping at the chance to swing clubs in temperate climate with zero chance of snow while wining and dining their customers during this week’s Hoag Classic at the Newport Beach Country Club.
ActivePDF Inc. in Laguna Niguel is promoting the first opportunity “to get inside the ropes” where an amateur foursome is paired with a professional in a one-day competition on March 4.
Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. Inc. is sponsoring a “Legends Pro-Am,” which is a two-day event that pairs an amateur foursome with a different PGA tour champion professional each day.
“Of course I play. I need a trophy with a KM name on it,” said Rick Taylor, chief executive of Konica Minolta.
Konica Minolta Legends Pro-Am is the first event of tournament week open to the public.
Allergan PLC, is sponsoring “Breakfast with a Champion” with Darren Clarke, who has won 21 golf tournaments worldwide, including the prestigious 2011 Open Championship at Royal St. George’s Golf Club.
Allergan, along with RightSourcing Inc., Helton Law Group and Cigna, is touting “Womanology,” a panel of well-known female leaders and physicians from Hoag discussing a variety of topics specific to women.
In case that’s not enough, there’s also “dining with the pros” on two nights this week, as well as a Hoag Charity Sports Gala.
Oh yes there’s golf. Most of the Tours’ stars will be in Newport Beach, albeit not defending champ Vijay Singh, 56, who will play against “the kids” that week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida.
City National Bank is sponsoring Corporate Day, which is the first day of the actual tournament, March 8, when the L.A.-based bank is giving complimentary admission to anyone who has an account at the bank.
Robert Iritani, the bank’s point man for Orange County, said golf is an easy sell.
“An integral part of City National’s ongoing business strategy is to grow our brand in Orange County while leveraging our partnership with such a strong community partner … like the Hoag Classic to generate significant brand awareness while providing our clients and prospects with unique experiences,” Iritani said.
Irvine-based CoreLogic Inc. (NYSE: CLGX), a provider of real estate data, is presenting “Military Appreciation Day” on Saturday, March 9, ensuring that all active duty, reserves, retirees and up to three of their guests will get in for free. CoreLogic is also donating $50,000 to military charities.
Fountain Valley tech storage maker Kingston Technology Corp. is supporting Final Round Sunday when students 18 and under get in free. Kingston and Hoag Charity Sports will award $70,000 in scholarships in support of The First Tee of Orange County to local students.
Other gold sponsors include the Costa Mesa-based Los Angeles Chargers and yes, even the longtime title sponsor, Toshiba.
Reyes Holdings LLC, an Illinois-based food and beverage distributor for companies such as Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, and craft beer makers, with a large OC footprint through Huntington Beach-based Harbor Distributing (see list, page 23), is a first-time silver sponsor, joined by Irvine-based architecture firm SCI Lighting Systems and about a dozen others.
