Pro Golfer Ernie Els Wins Big At Hoag Classic

NEWPORT BEACH, CA —Over 70,000 golf fans attended the PGA TOUR Champions event last week, where Ernie Els captured his first PCA tour Champions title at the Hoag Classic annual golf tournament. That tourney has raised more than $22 million for Hoag’s programs and services

The 2020 Hoag Classic returned to Newport Beach Country Club from March 4th to 8th, 2020 with Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian as title sponsor and presenting partners Konica Minolta and City National Bank. With an impressive PGA TOUR Champion lineup competing for the $1.8 million purse, Ernie Els entered the final round of the Hoag Classic with a one-shot lead.

Els birdied Nos. 1, 3 and 6 to hold his lead, but a bogey on No. 8 moved him into a five-way tie. He bogeyed No. 11 to trail by one, but a birdie on No. 12 turned the round into a three-way tie with Glen Day and Robert Karlsson with six holes left to play. Els birded the par-5 15th, the same hole he eagled on both Friday and Saturday, to lead by one. He played his remaining three holes even to secure his first victory on PGA TOUR Champions, by two strokes over Fred Couples, Glen Day, and Robert Karlsson, becoming the 25th annual Hoag Classic champion.

While this marks the 25th tournament in Orange County beginning in 1995, since Hoag became the host, manager and beneficiary in 1998, the tournament has raised more than $22 million in total proceeds for Hoag’s programs and services, as well as other local charities – making it one of the most successful philanthropic events for the PGA TOUR Champions.

“As a partner and beneficiary of the Hoag Classic, Hoag is proud to be part of an event that shines a spotlight on the generosity of our community,” said Robert T. Braithwaite, president and CEO of Hoag. “The proceeds from this year’s tournament will help Hoag expand access to the world-class health and wellness services we provide.”

The Hoag Classic featured players with more than 500 worldwide professional victories, including 50 major championships and nine members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. This year, 78 players competed, including Ernie Els, Fred Couples, Retief Goosen, Ángel Cabrera, Bernhard Langer, Vijay Singh, John Daly, Hale Irwin, Mark O’Meara, Tom Kite, José María Olazábal, and Miguel Ángel Jiménez.

In addition, the economic benefits of the Hoag Classic exceed millions of dollars. An economic analysis conducted for the event in 2008 found the tournament to have an annual impact throughout Southern California of nearly $28 million in tournament production, hotel and lodging, dining, goods and services, corporate sponsorships and media production.

“In the past 22 years combined, we have drawn in more than 1.5 million fans and have had over 3,500 volunteers who have donated more than 1 million hours of their time to make this tournament possible,” said Jeff Purser, executive director of the Hoag Classic. “With Hoag’s support as title sponsor, our presenting partners Konica Minolta and City National Bank, more than 200 other corporate partners, and those incredible volunteers, we are proud to host an event that not only contributes to the health and vitality of our community, but creates compelling competition for our fans to enjoy.”

Throughout the tournament week, more than 70,000 attendees enjoyed world-class golf, along with exciting events and experiences for the whole family.

The Championship Weekend kicked off on Friday, March 6 with Corporate Day presented by City National Bank, giving local business professionals an opportunity to get out of the office and engage with clients during the first round of competition.

The fifth annual Military Appreciation Day presented by CoreLogic on Saturday March 7 was an opportunity to honor all active duty, military reserve, National Guard, military retirees and veterans – and up to three of their guests – with complimentary admission to thank them for their service. Guests were able to plant a flag in remembrance of a loved one who is serving or who has served at the Konica Minolta “Field of Flags,” benefiting the Navy Memorial Foundation. Continuing with tradition, the tournament donated $75,000 to military causes, including Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation, and the Blue Angels Foundation. Each year, the Hoag Classic honors members of the armed services who have served our country, as well as served our communities. This year’s honorees include: Colonel Burton Eisenberg, USAF, Retired; Captain Richard Bertea, USMC, Retired; John Scott Williams, First Lieutenant USA; Gordon L. Wilson, Yeoman First Class USN; Albert N. Pascola, Radioman USN; Tom Rice, Staff Sergeant USA; Frank Kaszuba, Corporal USA; and Steve Underwood, Sergeant USA – the recipient of the inaugural Captain Jack Callahan Hoag Classic Veteran Volunteer Award.

For the Final Round on Sunday, March 8, attendees ages 18 and under received complimentary admission for Youth Day, presented by Kingston Technology. Young golf fans were able to enjoy the Kids Fun Zone with a variety of games and prizes and participate in the putting contest. This year, Kingston Technology awarded $70,000 in scholarships. The Hoag Employee Scholarship Program will receive $50,000 to provide scholarships for non-nursing employees who are actively pursuing education to advance their careers at Hoag. The first recipient of the Kingston Technology-Hoag Classic Employee Scholarship was Luis Cornejo, a chef at Hoag who will be the first person in his family to attend college and receive an associate’s degree. In addition, $10,000 will be gifted to four students from The First Tee of Orange County, $5,000 to The First Tee of Orange County to support their mission, and $5,000 to Newport Beach Country Club’s Scholarship Fund to support employees’ families.

“A commitment to furthering education is a core value of Kingston Technology. We are proud to be a partner of the Hoag Classic and to have this opportunity to support our community,” said Larry Gonzalez, Kingston Technology.

“We are beyond grateful to Kingston Technology for their generous donation towards the Hoag Employee Scholarship Program. These scholarships provide an incredible opportunity for our staff to further their education and make strides towards achieving their career goals,” said Braithwaite.

For more information, visit HoagClassic.com.