During the ultimate celebrity face-off – the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship – players dropped their clubs to show off their celebratory skills in the seventh-annual “Korbel Celebrity Spray-Off,” held July 18th.
This year’s winner, Shane Battier, hit it out of the park with the greatest cork distance, receiving $5,000 from the Korbel Toast Life Foundation for the charity of his choice.
Leaving his competition in the dust Miami Heat forward Shane Battier took top honors when his cork flew 100 feet after he popped the champagne bottle. Former NHL All-Star Center Joe Sakic was runner-up with a blast of 92 feet while NFL Hall of Fame Running Back Emmitt Smith finished in third with an 85 foot launch to move past fourth place finisher former MLB All-Star Pitcher David Wells. All in all, 35 celebrities participated in the Spray-Off which is judged on cork distance (although style and champagne spray added to the excitement for the fans).
The crowd was most entertained by former All-Pro NFL Quarterback Mark Rypien who drenched the crowd with champagne, NFL Hall of Fame Wide Receiver Jerry Rice who did his signature touchdown dance and legendary athlete former MLB All-Star Outfielder Joe Carter who still knows how to celebrate in style.
Actor Lucas Black, Olympic Gold Medalist Bode Miller, and NFL Quarterback Alex Smith won over the crowd with their exciting champagne sprays and long distance corks.
NBA great Ray Allen popped a slam dunk while baseball’s tops, Chipper Jones and Fred McGriff hit home runs as far as champagne-spraying goes.
Hockey players Mike Modano, Martin Brodeur and Joe Sakic seemed to have an advantage as they showed they had some serious champagne-spraying know-how as their sprays had the most flair and style (likely learned from years of practice winning championships).
“Korbel and celebrations go hand-in-hand and we think there’s no better event to toast than the American Century Golf Championship,” said Gary Heck, owner and president of Korbel Champagne Cellars. “The seventh-annual ‘Spray-Off’ brought together sports and entertainment icons all while raising money for a great cause.”
