CAMILO VILLEGAS
Meow…our favorite hot cat is back on the course in Houston. He finished ‘even’ on the course yesterday and is mid-crawl as we “speak.”

The sexy beast from Colombia, watches his tee shot on the eighth hole during the first round of the Houston Open PGA golf tournament yesterday in Humble, Texas. Hopefully, Villegas can turn up the heat, as he is NOT listed on the “projected cut” list for this event. He is however, on the finalized Athlebrites “cut” as a daily “fix”ture in this blog.

TIGER DRIVE
Yesterday, Tiger Woods announced that he would take time off from the PGA Tour while his father battles cancer. He didn’t specific details of his planned break, except to say he would not start playing “for a while,” and the failing health of his father, Earl, would have a major influence on his future schedule. “It’s kind of up in the air with the situation back home, so I don’t know what’s going to happen,” said Woods. What is gonna happen? Tigers’ time off comes with a little fun. He is currently in New Zealand to attend the wedding of his lucky caddie Steve Williams, and is due to drive in a charity motor race Monday on New Zealand’s North Island. “I’m taking time off. I’m here for this event and for Steve, and to enjoy time off and be with my father, so I won’t play for a while,” Woods said.

But he will DRIVE! Here, the sexy Tiger climbs into a stock car at Huntly Speedway where he is learning to drive them with the help of his caddie, New Zealander, Steve Williams.

A BIG BEN WALLACE BLOW UP DOLL
Now, fans of hot NBA baller, Big Bad Ben Wallace can now go “one on one” with a seven-foot inflatable replica of the hottie! Playair Systems has introduced the Inflatable Defender(R) basketball training aid for $49.95.

Thanks to this dream come true product, you can now practice your “lay ups” and “three-pointers” against the three-time Defensive Player of the Year. The high-grade PVC 7-foot Inflatable Defender(R) is designed for on-court or in-room use, and has a reinforced vinyl base that holds water for added stability and two handles in the back allow for easy movement to increase Ben’s range. Click here to “inflate” Big Ben.

FIFA WORLD CUP AEROSOL CANS?

The Gillette Co., an official ’06 FIFA World Cup sponsor, is introducing special aerosol packaging for its Mach3Turbo shaving gel and Gillette Series shaving gel, antiperspirant and deodorant, to coincide with the tournament. The limited edition cans, designed to resemble a soccer ball, will be available in Europe and the U.S. throughout the World Cup. The products are not compatable with the blow-up dolls, sorry.

SOME PEOPLE ARE SICK

Sales of merchandise bearing the “Duke lacrosse” name and logo “have skyrocketed … in the wake of publicity generated by the sexual assault scandal surrounding” the men’s lacrosse team. The GM of retail stores at Duke Univ., said, “Historically, lacrosse has been one of our three or four best-selling sports. But over the last month, sales have increased to three or four times our normal rate.” Also commenting was Duke Univ. News Service Associate Dir Keith Lawrence, “If we pull the gear, people will think we are presuming that the players are guilty.” Its not a “presumption” its called compassion and class. How about following the lead of Dick’s Sporting Goods? Mad love to Dick’s who have pulled all Duke lacrosse merchandise from the shelves in its five Raleigh-Durham area stores. Dick’s Senior VP & CMO Jeff Hennion: “Having that type of product out in front or our customers seemed to be a lightning rod. And secondly, we had customers who saw it out in the store and complained about it.”

LANCE DOESN’T NEED A BIKE

Athlebrity favorite, Lance Armstrong is planning to compete in the N.Y. Marathon on November 5. Armstrong: “I’ve been training some, but I wouldn’t call it serious. It’s just something to fill a void in my life after I quit competing as a professional cyclist.” Hey Lance, call me, I guarantee that I can help you fill that void in many, many different ways.

FREE DRINKS?

Southwest Airlines is handing out 2-free drinks to all customers flying from Dallas’ Love Field airport through the Memorial Day Weekend. “I’m a huge Dallas Mavericks fan and to cheer on our team as they move toward a championship for the City, we’re offering free drinks on all of our flights from Love Field,” said Gary Kelly, Southwest’s CEO. The move was prompted by a comment made by Mensa favorite and Mavericks owner Mark Cuban last night after another airline launched a promotional give-away during the team’s last Dallas home game. “Mark Cuban made mention of all the Wild Turkey he thought would be flowing at Southwest Airlines, and we would hate to disappoint him,” Kelly said. Bottoms-up to Mark Cuban, we love you!

The good old days…this is not the first time the airline has offered free drinks in response to a competitive challenge. In 1973, now-defunct Braniff airlines offered $13 one-way fares from Dallas to Houston, hoping to put fledgling Southwest Airlines out of business. Southwest’s then-president and CEO Lamar Muse shot back with a headline, “Nobody’s going to shoot Southwest Airlines out of the sky for a lousy $13″ and offered Customers a fifth of premium liquor with any full-fare ($26) ticket. Not sure that ad campaign would “fly” today…

That’s it for now. As Always, thanks for reading. Delinda