TOSHIBA CLASSIC NOTEBOOK:

NEWPORT BEACH — So many options, and so much time.

It might make a short hike for the pros, but 6,598 yards is a good bit of ground to cover for a spectator.

So you can get a skybox seat and enjoy a shaded view, or find a nice knoll that splits two holes where you can stop and rest. If you don’t want to follow one group through all 18 holes, another strategy is to find a green, stay there, and watch the tee shot from afar.

Toshiba Classic Volunteer Chairman Brian Horn said he’s done all of the above. Now working his eighth Toshiba, his first as volunteer chairman, Horn spent more time answering his Blackberry, which wouldn’t stop going off, than anything else.

But he offered up one of his favorite viewing spots:

“A very, very exciting place to be is on the 17th green,” Horn said. “That’s almost 200 yards, all carried over water, to a two-tiered green that’s slick, slick, slick.”

It’s Newport Beach Country Club’s signature hole, and the toughest on the back nine. The water hazard just sits, waiting to gobble up a ball.

Friday, it was Scott Hoch’s.

Hoch shot a four-under-par 67 in his first round, but not before he hit his tee shot into the water. He took a triple bogey, but redeemed himself a bit when he birdied a par-five on the 18th hole.

BLACK KNIGHT APPEARS

For many golf fans, the appeal of the tournament isn’t just watching their favorite players in person or enjoying a warm day in the California sun.

It’s watching the players they grew up watching on television, particularly Gary Player.

“When I was younger, my dad used to watch,” said Costa Mesa resident Bobby Peterson. “When we were young, there was only five channels, and we watched golf on the weekends. We had to watch golf. Gary Player is the player I grew up with, so it’s nice to see him now.”

Ken and Denice Burch, who were lounging on a hillside between the 11th and 14th holes, said they also grew up watching the South African golfer, known as Mr. Fitness, who is now 72.

Player shot two-over par for 73 in the first round of his first Toshiba Classic since 2003.

THORPE GONE

Spectators who were expecting to see Jim Thorpe Friday were disappointed when Thorpe withdrew due to illness early in his opening round. Hale Irwin withdrew Thursday after learning of the death of his mother. Alternate Bruce Vaughan replaced Irwin, but there was no replacement for Thorpe, as he’d already started playing when he withdrew. Vaughan tied for 61st after shooting a one-over-par 72.

LOST AND FOUND

Champions Tour golfer Dan Pohl was not eligible for this event and failed to qualify on Monday at Goose Creek. He was still in attendance at the first round of the tournament, but watching from a skybox that had a view of the 10th fairway. When friends Dave Stockton and Chip Beck hit their tee shots and were walking to their balls, Pohl called out to Stockton.

“Dave, you need a third?” Pohl said, to which Stockton answered, “What are you doing up there, are you lost?”

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

Sandy Lyle was one-under 70 in his first start on the Champions Tour. Lyle, who was born in Britain but splits time between Florida and Scotland, is currently tied for 43rd. He said before the tournament started he would be happy with a finish in the top 25.

MOVIN’ ON UP

Open qualifier and former amateur standout Mike Goodes shot a six-under-par 65 Friday. Goodes, who has qualified for three of four events this year, qualified seven times last year.

— John Reger contributed to this report

SORAYA NADIA McDONALD may be reached at (714) 966-4613 or at [email protected].