By Rodney Page, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Top five celebrity moments
The Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am is part golf tournament, part show. Fans come to TPC Tampa Bay to see their favorite celebrities along with their favorite golfers. A look at some celebrity highlights:
1. Bill Murray hits a homeowner: In the first round of the 2009 tournament, Murray hooked a drive on the ninth hole. It hit homeowner Gayle DiMaggio, who was in her back yard watching, in the head. She was fine after a trip to the hospital. The next day, Murray signed a Caddyshack DVD as he played the ninth hole.
2. Hey, Mark Wahlberg's in our back yard: During the 2006 tournament, the movie star sliced a drive into the back yard of a house off the ninth fairway. For the next 10 minutes, neighbors came outside to get pictures with Wahlberg, who gladly posed. When he was finally done, he hit a long iron to within 10 feet of the hole.
3. Vince Gill gives up his putter: In 2004, the first year of the event as a pro-am, Gill's playing partner, David Eger, made his birdie putt on the 18th hole during the opening round. Gill's 3-foot birdie putt was now irrelevant, so he grabbed fan Jack Kirby from the crowd to make the putt for him. Kirby did, and the crowd roared. "I wasn't going to miss it in front of all those people," Gill said.
4. Bill Murray gives to charity: In the final round of 2007, Murray got tired of signing autographs. After another fan shoved a Carl Spackler poster in his face at the second hole, Murray said he'd sign it for $50 and give the money to charity. The fan didn't hesitate, and throughout the day Murray raised $800 for a Clearwater charity, the Blooming Place for Kids. He handed the wad of cash to charity organizers during the award ceremony.
5. George Lopez gives away drivers: During the first round in 2008, Lopez was paired with fellow celebrity Craig T. Nelson. While yucking it up with the crowd, Lopez dug inside Nelson's bag and gave away three drivers. Let's see that happen at a regular Champions Tour event.
Rodney Page, Times staff writer