MLB All-Star Kenny Lofton Unleashes 335-Yard Drive to Win Korbel Long Drive
Competition at Lake Tahoe
Lofton, Tolliver Bring Competition Down to the Wire With Tie-Breaker
GUERNEVILLE, Russian River Valley, Calif., July 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Kenny
Lofton today captured the title of "Celebrity Long Drive Champ" by unleashing
a booming 335-yard drive to win the 17th Annual Long Drive Competition,
sponsored by Korbel Champagne Cellars. The competition is a featured event at
the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship, currently being played at
the Edgewood Golf Course in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080712/CLSA008 )
Considered one of the best leadoff hitters of the 90s, Cleveland Indians
legend and a current free agent, Lofton has uncorked his share of champagne
over the years. He showed his familiarity with victory celebrations and
champagne by accepting the Long Drive Trophy and then popping the cork on a
big bottle of Korbel.
Lofton and runner-up, former NFL Quarterback Billy Joe Tolliver, brought
the competition down to the wire, when both hit equal distances in the first
round. Lofton and Tolliver moved on to a final round to determine the winner,
where Lofton's powerful blast topped Tolliver's final attempt and Lofton
became Long Drive champion.
Actor Alfonso Ribeiro finished third with a 327-yard shot. Other
celebrities participating in the Korbel Long Drive Competition included former
NFL greats Jim McMahon and Joe Theismann, NHL's Jeremy Roenick, NBA's Wally
Szczerbiak, NASCAR's Dale Jarrett as well as Actor Ray Romano.
The Korbel Long Drive Contest has been a highlight of the American Century
Celebrity Golf Championship since 1992. Former Chicago Bears quarterback Jim
McMahon won the 2007 Contest with a 319-yard blast to become the event's first
three-time winner (the earlier wins came in 1994 and 1992). Other previous
winners include Paul O'Neill (2006), Jeremy Roenick (2002 and 2000), Emmitt
Smith (1999), Pete Sampras (1996) and John Elway (1995).
"Champagne symbolizes celebration -- be it a winning performance or a
personal milestone -- and Korbel is proud to participate in this golf
tournament and sponsor the Long Drive Competition," said Gary Heck, owner and
president.
The 19th Annual American Century Celebrity Golf Championship takes place
Friday, July 11 through Sunday, July 13 at the Edgewood Tahoe Golf Club and is
televised live by NBC Sports. The 54-hole stroke play tournament is the most
prestigious and richest celebrity tournament in golf, with a $600,000 purse
and $125,000 going to the first place finisher.
Celebrate responsibly.
SOURCE Korbel
Margie Healy of Korbel, +1-707-824-7715, Mhealy@korbel.com
