NATIONWIDE

No, I didn’t get a job with the Golf Channel….but I’ve been too busy to blog and will be out of commission until I get back from v-a-c-a-t-i-o-n….give me about a week kids. There’s a link on the right from the Nationwide where you can view all my photos.

I LOVE THIS GAME
The NBA’s 62nd has season has officially tipped off, and finally we got our hotties back on the court, shooting, slamming and dunking their way into our libidos. In celebration, the Sports Business Daily ran a list of marketing slogans used by various teams for this season.

The Suns slogan is ‘Welcome to Planet Orange’, but should be Welcome to Planet Nashty, the Trail Blazers nailed it with ‘Rise With Us’; The Celtics are hot this year and ask us to ‘Think Big’, not hard to do when you add Kevin Garnett to the mix; the Nuggets also nailed it this year with a slogan that speaks directly to my goals relating to Sweet Melo and ask ‘Can You Feel It’, the Nets claim ‘Its More Than a Game’ while the Knicks want us to “Experience Knicks Basketball” which as we all know, isnt gonna happen. The Golden State Warriors, led by Baron Davis and his beard, might be relying on last years ‘We Believe’ which sits fine with me. I’d like it to be ‘Fear the Beard’ but until I own the team I don’t see it happening. What I do see, is Baron Davis all over the place. The king of charisma, who is always dressed to perfection, has inspired LA based AU Label, to launch a series of special edition t-shirts in SF. The BD inspired collection features three styles and retail for about 35 bucks each.

WOUNDED WARRIORS GOLF

On Monday, November 5, the Wounded Warrior Project will host the inaugural Wounded Warrior Project Golf Classic at the St. John’s Golf & Country Club in St. Augustine, FL. All donations and proceeds from the event will support the various programs and services provided to wounded military personnel by Wounded Warrior Project including benefits counseling, rehabilitation, and adaptive sports opportunities. In 2006, Johnny Damon became the official spokesperson for the WWP, and will be joining in the festivities. “I have deep gratitude for the men and women that have been severely wounded while fighting for our freedoms and way of life,” said Damon. “During my visits to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, I witnessed first-hand the enduring spirits of those recovering. My goal is to ensure their challenges and sacrifices are recognized.” For more info, WWP.

Speaking of wounded warriors, I don’t care that Alex Rodriguez has opted-out of his contract with the Yankees. I would, however, care if he went to the Dodgers, where his old boss, Joe Torre has been rumored to take over as manager.

CALLWAY GOLF FOUNDATION
If I was in town next weekend I would be at the Callaway Golf Foundation Challenge. The company will host a pro-celebrity golf tournament, on November 5 at the Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, CA. The first-ever tournament will benefit groundbreaking cancer research projects supported by the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF). And I can only say it’s about time! This fundraising event pairs (gulp) hot professional golfers with actors and entertainment industry executives. Celebrities anticipated to attend include: James Caan, Ray Romano, George Lopez, Larry David (what I wouldn’t give to see Larry golf), Peter Gallagher, Andy Garcia, Cheryl Ladd, Kyle MacLachlan, and Kevin Dillon, with more to be announced. Callaway staff pro’s anticipated to take-part: Johnny Miller, Annika Sorenstam, Morgan Pressel, David Leadbetter, Rich Beem, Mark Brooks, Ricky Barnes, Jim Colbert, Leta Lindley, Len Mattiace, Rocco Mediate and May Wood. Proceeds from the Challenge will support EIF’s efforts to fast track better prevention methods and improved therapies for ovarian, breast, colon and prostate cancers. Please visit www.callawaygolffoundation.org to learn more about the Callaway Golf Foundation Women’s Cancer Initiative, the Callaway Golf Foundation Challenge or to make a donation. BUT beware: the first thing you see on the site is the San Longoria Spur.

MARDY FISH MUSIC FEST

He’s hot and he’s having a benefit for his foundation. Last year, tennis beast Mardy Fish formed his own foundation and joined forces with his childhood bud, country singer, Jake Owen to create an incredible event that combines tennis and music and has become known as the ‘Mardy’s Tennis & Jake’s Music Fest to benefit the Mardy Fish Foundation.’ The inaugural event raised more than $105,000 for his foundation, and this year he’s hoping to raise even more. The three-day event begins on Tuesday, December 4, with a kids’ clinic followed by a sporntastic tennis exhibition featuring Mardy Fish and Andy Roddick among others. The event will continue on Wednesday, December 5 with a tennis pro-am, which will be followed by a dinner reception that includes entertainment and live and silent auctions. On Tuesday, December 18, the event will conclude in the evening with a country music concert featuring Josh “Jake” Owen. For more info, visit the Mardy Fish Foundation.

TOM BRADY GETS WET

Tom Brady has signed a 3-year deal to endorse SmartWater worth between $3-5M. Brady said that he drinks Smartwater as “an alternative to ’sugary’ drinks.” Brady: “It’s a replacement product that’s better for you, whether I’m working out or for the morning when I wake up.” I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve tried the product and I gotta say that VitaminWater is by far a better drink. Sorry Tommy, but even you cant entice me to take another sip of that stuff.

TRINITY FOOTBALL LATERAL TOUCHDOWN
Ya all know I don’t follow college football unless the words Trojan or Booty are involved, but I gotta say, this has got to be the most amazing feat in recent college ball.

NATIONWIDE GIVES BACK

Yesterday, the PGA Tours Nationwide Pro-Am was held at Barona Valley Ranch & Casino here in San Diego. Last week, organizers feared the event would be cancelled due to the “fires” sweeping through the county, but San Diego has got some studly fireman who doused the flames and saved the event (among other things). To thank them for all their hard work, members of all SD area fire stations were invited to play in the Pro-Am for free. 28 hotties showed up, some fresh off the fire line, to enjoy a round of golf with the pros. Fine and finer, aka Taj and Jack (above) played well enough to earn a trophy, and I played well enough to get them to kiss the crystal for me.

Aside from molesting the fire-studs, I was able to watch an interview with Nationwide hottie Kyle Thompson. PGA tour peeps sat the southern babe in the director’s chair and filmed a segment for Making the Cut. Although Thompson seemed a little uncomfortable under the bright lights, he did a great job of answering some pretty lame questions…sorry PGA interview guy, but what were you thinking? I was very close to pushing him aside and asking my own questions. Thompson was asked what his favorite movie was (Shawshank Redemption), who his favorite actor is (Tom Hanks), favorite Hanks movie (Forrest Gump), favorite food (lasagna) and what he likes to do in his free time (hang out with friends and fiancé)…guess they don’t like to dig deep in the PGA. I would have been grilling this kid about his influences, college days, guilty pleasures, obstacles he faces while making a name for himself, and of course, who he admires among his peers. In any case, best of luck to Thompson this weekend, you won me over.

And finally, a great big thank you to Brad Adamonis for giving Athlebrities a little love. All participants in the Pro-Am received a plaque with their photo along with the Pro they played with. Brad was upset because his “autograph” on the photos were photo-shopped and not signed by him. Brad was unbelievably classy-going out of his way to find a Sharpie to autograph the photos. Luckily, this girl had a Sharpie in her pocket and gave it to the beast. Thanks for the love Brad!

As always, thanks for reading.
delinda@athlebrities.