The Crowd: Toshiba Classic returning to Newport soon

The Toshiba Classic will return to Newport Beach in just a few weeks, commencing March 12 with major play scheduled for March 16 to 18.

The player field hosts some of the champions of senior golf. Among them: Tom Lehman, Larry Mize, Larry Nelson, Mark O'Meara, Corey Pavin, Nick Price, Tom Watson, Fuzzy Zoeller, Fred Couples and Ben Crenshaw.

Retuning to the Newport Beach County Club, presided over by Club President Perry Dickey and Head Pro Paul Hahn, the Toshiba Classic has raised more than $15 million for local charities. Most prominent among the beneficiaries is Hoag Hospital, led by Dr. Richard Afable. More than 1,000 volunteers in the community make the tournament possible.

For more information on the tournament and to purchase tickets, please go to http://www.toshibaclassic.com.

*

Interior decoration maven

The Decorative Arts Society gathered in the Newport Coast at the residence of Brian Fargo to welcome interior designer Suzanne Tucker to the Orange Coast. The Monday-evening party gave patrons the opportunity to meet Tucker prior to her Tuesday confab in Newport Beach.

Considered among the most admired designers in America, Tucker and partner Timothy Marks founded their San Francisco-based design firm in 1986. In 2010, Tucker launched Suzanne Tucker Home, a line of fabric incorporating rich textures, diverse weave structures and vibrant colorways. She is also well known for her personal style combining fine antiques and well-designed accessories in her design palate.

Tucker's classic styling was an interesting contrast to host Fargo's Newport Coast crib. A graduate of Corona del Mar High School, Fargo is a mogul in the video gaming industry. Fargo founded Interplay Entertainment Corp. in 1983, and today he runs a company called inXile Entertainment. The Newport Beach company was launched in 2002.

The gals and guys supporting the Decorative Arts Society sponsor amazing guests at great gatherings, raising significant funds for local nonprofits that primarily support the needs of disadvantaged women and children.

*

Meanwhile, at the Aitkens'

The toasts of the town, Bette and Wylie Aitken, on Thursday night will open their Cape Cod-inspired oceanfront residence on the Newport Peninsula on behalf of the board of trustees and gala committee who are planning the upcoming 2012 PBS SoCal Ball.

This season's public television event, to be held May 5, is being called the "Masterpiece Ball." Bluewater Grill is on tap to handle the catering duties at the Aitkens' beachfront estate.

*

Fight Night XIV

Dick Marconi is at it again.

Fight Night XIV benefiting the Marconi Foundation for Kids and the Speech and Language Development Center will debut on March 9. Joining Dick and his wife Priscilla "Bo" Marconi are community leaders Lula Halfacre, George Peterson, Stuart Wallach, Ivo Ijan, Torin Pavia, Navin Narang, and Mark Bogh, all planning the big night. It will include world title boxing and kickboxing. Major celebrity guests include champs Sugar Ray Leonard and Tommy "Hitman" Hearns.

For ticket info, go to http://www.marconimuseum.org.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays. B.W. Cook is editor of the Bay Window, the official publication of the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.