Take Five: Scott Easton enhances the vision of Hoag Classic Newport Beach
By DIANNE RUSSELL
In July of this year, Scott Easton took over as executive director of Hoag Classic Newport Beach. Easton brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position after spending five years as Head of On Site Excellence at Live Nation Entertainment.
Recently, Stu News caught up with Easton to gain some insight into his vision for the Classic, how he plans to implement it going forward and what he does away from his new role.
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Photos courtesy of Scott Easton
Scott Easton assumed his new role in July 2023
Q: As the new executive director of Hoag Classic Newport Beach, how will you translate your experience with Live Nation Entertainment into moving ahead with future Hoag Classics?
A: One of the biggest lessons I have learned throughout my career is that one person cannot create something great on their own; it takes a talented team, a dedicated community, supportive partners and determination to be the best. This event has all of those. I am blessed to have an incredible team, a community that embraces the event, and partners who have invested in the event and followed a vision to build something special for Newport Beach, all while supporting Hoag Hospital and giving back to various charities. I want to take the incredible event my predecessor, Jeff Purser, created over the last 25 years, and add new elements to it that will enhance the experience for our players, fans, sponsors and community. I want the Hoag Classic to be looked at not only as one of the best golf events on the PGA TOUR Champions but also one of the best things to do in all of Orange County.
My goal is to combine my background creating and managing all types of live events with my team’s experience and knowledge to create a can’t miss event for Newport Beach residents and guests. Through collaboration with Hoag Hospital, the city, local businesses and the many other partners of this event, I believe we can continue to build something for everyone whether you are a golf fan or not. The goal is to make the Hoag Classic the number one place to be in Orange County every year when the PGA TOUR Champions rolls into Newport Beach Country Club in March. We want to have something that attracts everyone: Golf, Celebrities, Exclusive Entertainment Opportunities, Incredible Food Options, Creative Cocktails, Music, etc.
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(L-R) Golf legends Fred Couples and Davis Love lll
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Crowd enjoys a previous Hoag Classic
Q: In September, the tournament announced a three-year extension with its host venue, Newport Beach Country Club. Will you be changing any existing elements or implementing anything new?
A: Renewing our partnership with Newport Beach Country Club was a very important piece of the equation for Hoag Hospital and the Hoag Classic. The event has been at Newport Beach Country Club for almost 25 years and being there is an extremely important part of the event’s history and an even more important part of the future.
As mentioned above, the plan is to continue to put on what is considered by many, one of the best events on the PGA TOUR Champions and weave in a variety of lifestyle options within the golf tournament. The plan is to continue to produce one of the best professional fields in Champions Golf and create elements that will inspire non-golf fans to come out and eat, drink and socialize. I am blessed to be stepping into an event that has an incredible foundation which makes my job pretty easy, most of the hard work has been done by amazing people before me. If we keep doing the things that have been done so well, but add in enhancements to attract new fans, provide the loyal fans who have supported the event for years additional elements to enjoy and look forward to, we will have a winning combination.
We are working on implementing a lot of new ideas and look forward to providing additional details on them as soon as we are able to, but some of them are the potential addition of celebrities into the golf event and the activities surrounding the event, a musical component and evening parties, and an upgraded hospitality option at a level that has not been available in the past.
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Entertainment is a big part of the event
Q: What do you see as your biggest challenges coming into such a prestigious and well-known event, and are there unique issues particular to this event?
A: The challenge presented to me when I accepted the role as executive director of the Hoag Classic was to continue to run a Best-in-Class PGA TOUR Champions Event, while continuing to support Hoag Hospital and creating a lifestyle event that would attract members of the community who have never considered attending a golf event before. I’m challenging myself to create an event that attracts everyone and showcases so many of the amazing things about this incredible place we are all so lucky to call home. I’m challenging myself to create an event that makes people want to visit Newport Beach and experience what we get to enjoy year around. I like to see every challenge as an opportunity, stepping into this role is an opportunity for me to make a positive impact on the community, support Hoag Hospital, the #1 ranked hospital in all of Orange County and contribute charitable dollars to numerous deserving organizations, while providing an entertainment venue for businesses and individuals of Newport Beach and surrounding Orange County communities.
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Easton playing golf
Q: What interests do you have outside of your career? Do you play golf?
A: I have a wide variety of interests, but most of them involve being with my two sons Will (14) and Ty (13). Chasing them around and attending all their activities is my number one interest outside of work. We enjoy staying active with a variety of sports, and yes, golf is one of them. You won’t find me breaking any course records, but I am always open for a round of golf with family, friends and clients.
Outside of chasing my boys around and attending all their activities, we enjoy spending a lot of time on the ocean, and enjoy fishing, diving and time on Catalina Island whenever we get the chance.
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Easton fishing with his sons Will (on left) and Ty
Q: What would readers be surprised to know about you?
A: Most people are surprised to learn how many different places I have lived. Before I moved to California more than 15 years ago, I lived in more than 14 different states. I guess you could say I have seen many parts of the U.S. and the world and decided many years ago when I was introduced to Newport Beach, that I would one day call this home. I feel like one of the luckiest people in the world to be doing what I am doing and call this home. Living here was one of the main reasons I accepted this position. I wanted an opportunity to become a bigger part of this special community and this job gives me the opportunity to become a bigger part of this community and contribute to it at the same time.