Pelican Hill

For the firefighters of Newport Beach Fire Station No. 8, working on the holidays is all part of the job. “We work our regular shift on holidays, so if you normally work that day, you’re on,” said fire department paramedic Kelly Gorman. “You can work several Thanksgivings in a row.” The firefighters on duty at the station Thursday dined on a gourmet Thanksgiving meal compliments of the Resort at Pelican Hill, which opened this week in Newport Coast.

The last of 1.1 million hand-cut glass tiles have been laid in the circular pool and the final olive tree planted at the 504-acre Resort at Pelican Hill. The only thing missing now is the guests. Pelican Hill is slated to open its doors today after more than three years of construction and preparation in a less-than-hospitable economic climate. Managing Director Giuseppe Lama knows there will be challenges ahead this holiday season, but he’s counting on the resort’s attention to detail and his staff to make Pelican Hill one of the country’s top destination resorts.

If anyone on this planet doesn’t know the power Tiger Woods has over an audience it was displayed loudly Saturday at Pelican Hill. Woods was addressing the 200 or so people as part of the Block Party festivities that raises an approximate $1 million annually for the Tiger Woods Learning Center. The people that were there were about to play golf and had paid a nice chunk of change for the privilege. The guest of honor arrived in khaki shorts and a windbreaker and headed to the practice facility, bringing Fred Couples and Chris Riley with him. Though Woods can’t hit a ball because of his left knee, he can swing a club and he certainly can tell a story.

The Resort at Pelican Hill has joined an alliance of hotels and high-end restaurants. There are now 12 hotels and resorts in the OCeanfront alliance since the Ritz-Carlton in Laguna Niguel and the Resort at Pelican Hill were added to the list. The OCeanfront includes businesses working to promote Orange County’s beach destinations. Its website directs tourists to the best places to eat, the prime beaches to visit and the most luxurious places to stay. The Resort at Pelican Hill will open in December.

NEWPORT COAST — In the end, it was Pelican Hill’s punched greens that allowed Newport Harbor High to deal Corona del Mar the knockout blow in Monday’s Battle of the Bay. The Sailors defeated the Sea Kings for the second straight year, 394-410, to win the Pelican Cup. Newport Harbor has won its last four matches, almost all on punched greens. Putting conditions on the club’s Ocean South course weren’t favorable for either side, but the Sailors (10-4)

It was the last day of the 2007 Toshiba Classic, and volunteer Ashley Garbutt needed a miracle. It was close to St. Patrick’s Day, and she was in charge of selling hats. Green hats. Unfortunately, a vendor was handing out hats — of the same color — for free. Ashley had a lot of hats nobody was buying, she was kind of bored, and there weren’t a lot of people hanging around, when out of the blue, she got her Mericle. Jason Mericle, fellow volunteer.

Jean-Pierre Dubray, a chef for the Ritz-Carlton company for more than 20 years, and executive chef of the chain’s San Francisco hotel, has signed on as executive chef of The Resort at Pelican Hill, the Irvine Co. officials announced Thursday. The French-born Dubray will oversee the resort’s three restaurants as well as in-room dining and banquet services. He is scheduled to begin work March 17. Dubray said he was glad to be back in Orange County. “You couldn’t ask for a better location and a better team of people,” he said.

The much-anticipated Pelican Hill Golf Club and the Pelican Grill restaurant reopen today. The new Pelican Hill is more spectacular than ever. The Tom Fazio-designed course offers ocean views from 36 holes, and the Pelican Grill, with it’s Palladian-style windows, stunning views and a new menu from executive chef Thomas Ryan, reflects the culinary abundance and diversity of Southern California living. Everything at Pelican Hill is first-rate and that’s true for the pro shop’s men’s golf apparel, equipment, accessories and gifts.

The Players Club, a program that provides benefits at Pelican Hill’s two golf courses, has announced openings available with the re-opening of Pelican Hill Golf Club set for Nov. 2. The benefits also extend to Oak Creek Golf Club in Irvine. The courses on both sites were designed by Tom Fazio. For a $600 enrollment fee, Players Club participants will be able to play both courses at Pelican Hill, seven days a week, for $188. Participants may invite up to three guests to play with them at the same rate.