Korbel Champagne owner Gary Heck watched a lot of bubbly get sprayed July 17 at the media cork popping contest. Photo/Kathryn Reed

By Kathryn Reed

STATELINE — Celebrity golfers will be able to put down their clubs briefly on Thursday and trade them for a bottle of Champagne.

Between the 17th and 18th holes they can test their ability at how far they can shoot a Champagne cork. The one who wins will be able to select a charity for Korbel Champagne to write a $5,000 check to.

Shane Battier with the Miami Heat on Wednesday demonstrated how it is done by hitting the fence. The contenders from the media who followed him didn’t fare as well. However, Tom Selissero with USA Today popped his cork 81 feet to win the Korbel golf bag and a couple clubs.

Korbel owner Gary Heck advised me to keep my thumb on the cork as I shook the bottle. He said I could shake it as long as I wanted. Then he told me at what angle to shoot. As a rookie to this sport, I came in seventh out of 33 with a 65-foot shot.

Heck was taking the wire off the all the bottles and giving pointers to whomever asked.

The Sonoma County sparkling wine company has created two drinks that it will be serving at the various concession stands throughout the American Century Championship golf tournament at Edgewood Tahoe from now through Sunday.

Having only sampled one – the Korbel Sparkling Eagle – I can recommend it. The melon flavor comes through without being too overpowering.

Korbel Sparkling Eagle

4 ounces Korbel Brut

1 ounce melon liqueur

1 ounce lemonade

Mix all ingredients in a rocks glass. Garnish with one jumbo cherry.

Korbel Long Drive

3 ounces Korbel Brut or Extra Dry

2 ounces lemonade

1 ounce blue Curacao

Into a tall glass, pour Korbel Brut or Extra Dry. Add lemonade, blue Curacao and ice.