Celebrities seem more important than the game of golf

By Kathryn Reed

STATELINE — Autograph hounds were out Thursday at Edgewood Tahoe in hopes of securing a signature from one of the dozens of celebs on the golf course. Most were polite – but not all – which included fans and players.

Marcus Allen seemed a bit annoyed being asked for his autograph by young and older fans. One day the Hall of Fame running back might long for someone to recognize him.

Instead, he told people he had spent 30 minutes signing autographs already and that they could come back today if they wanted to try again.

AJ Hawk of the Packers spends time signing autographs July 15. Photos/Kathryn Reed

Course marshals warned a guy on the ninth hole yelling toward Aaron Rodgers if he used that type of language anytime during the three-day tournament, he would be bounced.

Rodgers ignored that side of the fairway when it came to signing autographs. Leaving the area a big smile crossed Rodgers’ face when someone yelled, “Go, Bears.” That would be Cal, not those guys in Chicago.

Rodgers is the all-pro quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. Although some Bay Area athletes are among the 80-plus roster, he is almost a local, having been born in Chico, and playing at Butte College and Berkeley.

Actor Don Cheadle made one couple’s day after they convinced him to jog over to the rope at the putting green to have a picture taken of the three of them.

Several of the celebs took time to have their pictures taken with fans. Mostly it was programs being signed, but fans offered up a few golf balls, T-shirts, and other memorabilia.

On Thursday it was mostly groups of five on the course – a foursome with a celeb. These four paid for the privilege to play a round of 18 at the Stateline golf course with a sports or Hollywood star.

Volunteers from the Lake Tahoe Education Foundation were on the ninth hole to give plaques to the non-celebs that had a photo of them with their playing partner that had been taken earlier in the day.

Guy Fieri of Food Network fame is supposed to be cooking up a storm today. He was calling Thursday to find out if he could have access to Edgewood’s kitchen. An answer was not readily available.

This tournament, though serious for many of the players, is not the caliber of the British Open. For example, the ping of a golf ball against metal bleachers could be heard Thursday as someone completely missed the green. It can be dangerous to be a spectator – but a whole lot of fun, too.

AJ Hawk, burly linebacker for the Packers, almost seemed to blush when someone told him how good he looked in his blue shirt.

Actor Jack Wagoner and former Bronco QB John Elway were chatting it up at the driving range. As the 2006 winner of the American Century Championship, Wagner may have been giving Elway a bit of advice.

Today begins the three-day tournament – with a tinge more seriousness about to arrive at Edgewood Tahoe.

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