A memorable Toshiba for Terry
The 20th Toshiba Classic will be mostly remembered for Fred Couples’ second time winning the event, as he surprised many with his victory by one stroke.
But the Toshiba Classic will be a great memory for much different reasons for Thomas Terry, a Newport Harbor High senior.
The 17-year-old, who plays on the Sailors boys’ golf team, worked as the caddy for P.H. Horgan III, who qualified for the tournament March 10.
Horgan tied for third at the qualifier after he shot four-under-par 67 at Goose Creek Golf Course in Mira Loma.
He was hitting balls at the Newport Beach Country Club driving range on March 11, when Terry spotted the pro. Terry is a Newport Beach Country Club member.
Debbie Fleming, the NBCC ladies club champion who also works as a Toshiba volunteer, introduced Terry to Horgan. Terry made his sales pitch, telling Horgan if he needed a caddy he’d be ideal since he knows the course so well.
“This is something I’ve always wanted to do,” Terry said Sunday after Horgan’s final round. “I was really excited to do it. It was one of the best experiences I ever had. It certainly helped with my own golf game.”
Terry definitely remained busy throughout the week at Newport Beach Country Club. On Saturday, after Horgan’s second round, Terry stuck around and volunteered with his teammates to get NBCC ready for the final round.
The Sailors watered the flowers.
Hanging out or playing at Newport Beach Country Club is not foreign to Terry. He’s there almost every day because he loves the game so much.
He’s usually the No. 2 player for the Sailors. In the fall, he’s headed to University of Arizona, where he’ll study business and finance. He plans to work on his game during his freshman year and try out for the Wildcats men’s golf team as a sophomore.
“He was great,” Horgan said of Terry. “He was a little green behind the ears. But he didn’t make one misstep out there. He learned a lot. I’m sure it’s going to be a great experience for him as he goes forward playing competitive golf. Just seeing the others play, seeing how they hit the ball and how they carry themselves, I wish I could’ve done it at 17 years old. It would’ve been quite the learning experience for me as well.
“I’m happy I had him. Hopefully it will spur him on to get out here some day, on the PGA tour and then the old man’s tour.”
Horgan finished tied for 52nd after shooting one-under-par 211 (70-71-70).
Terry did his best to help Horgan. Yet Terry was the one who was also receiving benefits.
“It was a different experience,” Terry said. “You always have to watch where you are. You always have to watch where you’re stepping.”
Terry also found the experience challenging because he knew so many people there to watch the Toshiba Classic. He saw friends and fellow NBCC members while Horgan tried to move up the leaderboard.
“He had more people following him than me,” Horgan said.
Terry laughed when he heard that.
“It was hard to kind of stay focused,” Terry said. “It was like every other hole I would see someone I know. It was kind of interesting. Every hole someone would yell my name. I would kind of wave at them. It was a great time. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done.”