Q&A: Folino feels special to be in Toshiba Classic Hall of Fame
Paul Folino can be known as the face of Emulex. But when it comes to the Toshiba Classic, he’s known as the man behind the scenes.
On Monday, it was time for Folino to be honored for his work in the background of the successful Champions Tour event at Newport Beach Country Club.
Emulex Corporation, based in Costa Mesa, is a diamond sponsor of the Toshiba Classic, which is in its 21st year and will take place Oct. 26-Nov. 1.
Folino is CEO and chairman emeritus of Emulex. Throughout the past 14 years, he’s helped the Toshiba Classic raise money for Hoag Hospital and various charities. He was inducted into the Toshiba Classic Hall of Fame during a ceremony at Newport Beach Country Club.
It might seem different for a businessman to be in the sports section of the Daily Pilot, but Folino is no stranger to sports. He went to Central Washington State University on a basketball scholarship.
At 70, Folino maintains a busy lifestyle, as he sits on four public boards. He’s chairman of the board of CoreLogic and the Commercial Bank of California. He’s also on the board of directors for Microsemi and Latronics.
In addition, he’s also on the foundation board for Cal State Fullerton and the board of directors for Chapman University, and a board member of Discovery Science Center.
“I’m keeping busy,” Folino said Monday.
Folino took time to answer a few questions from the Daily Pilot.
Question: What’s the relationship like between Emulex and the Toshiba Classic?
Answer: We’ve been involved close to 14 years. I was introduced to the Toshiba Classic and tournament director Jeff Purser by Emulex president Kirk Roller. We are avid golfers. They were looking for a diamond sponsor. We have several clients. We wanted to have something to give back to the community and host our guests. It just made sense. It’s been a great relationship. I do a lot of various charity events in Orange County. There’s a multiplier effect. A lot of the people involved in other charities are also associated with the Toshiba Classic. They play in the event and sponsor the event. I’m prior chairman of Orange County Performing Arts Center and prior chairman of South Coast Repertory. There’s a lot of overlap. This is a very giving community. We have a lot in the community who support the event. It’s kind of a family.
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Q: What’s it like to be among all the great names in the Toshiba Classic Hall of Fame, including all the past tournament champions?
A: It’s really special. All of the winners, the pros are inducted into the Toshiba Classic Hall of Fame. I’m only the fourth non-pro being inducted into the hall. It is special. I’m very good at giving recognition, and less comfortable at getting recognition. I enjoy my involvement with this because you’re giving back to the community. The Toshiba Classic has raised over $18 million over the past 17 years and it supports Hoag Hospital and the [Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center]. A lot of it goes to other charities in Orange County. The thought of giving back to the community while playing golf, it doesn’t get any better than that. It doesn’t.
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Q: What are your highlights from the Toshiba Classic?
A: My biggest memory is the blind draw. We have a draw every year for Pro-Am for partners. I’ve had Fuzzy Zoeller play with me for 12 straight years. What are the odds of that? My fondest memories are that and playing with Hall of Famers. My biggest sense of pride with the Toshiba Classic has been the last seven or so years, I’ve hosted board members of Emulex at the event. When we go out and spend a day with Fuzzy Zoeller, he’s very entertaining. It’s always a special day with them.
I remember the first day I met Fuzzy, this goes back 12 years ago. It’s a 6:30 a.m. tee time. He comes up and introduces himself. I have a white towel hooked to my belt. He looked at me and said, ‘Oh my god you were my server at Morton’s. I remember the towel.’ Those are my fondest memories.
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Q: What about the pairings party? What can you say about that event?
A: The pairings party is always a lot of fun. You get to see old friends. It’s kind of a club. You get to meet a lot of Hall of Fame golfers. And you get to know them over the years. That’s special too. I got into school with a basketball scholarship. I have a fondness for sport. I’ve never been a really great golfer. I’m a 16 handicap, but it doesn’t matter. There’s no such thing as a bad day out on the golf course, especially when you get to play with people you get to meet here.
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Q: What do you have to say about the Toshiba Classic?
A: This Classic has gotten better every year. I’ve seen in its infancy and I see it now. Jeff Purser and his team just do a terrific job. This is ranked the best tournament on the Champions Tour. They get a great turnout. Who doesn’t want to be in Orange County in October versus the East Coast in October? People really like to come to Southern California. It’s a huge draw. Many of the pros bring their families for a Southern California vacation. We bring a lot back to the community. The multiplier effect spreads throughout the community in terms of the economic effect to Orange County, over and above what we do with charity.