Golf: Lights, camera, action

Richard Dunn

Only hours from having hosted the glitziest, most eclectic party in

Newport Beach, Leigh Steinberg swapped hats and changed uniforms for a

golf tournament to benefit the United Cerebral Palsy Association of

Orange County and Derrick Thomas’ Third and Long Foundation.

Amid his glory and accolades as a professional sports agent, Steinberg

sold his business last summer to Assante, a Canadian entertainment

conglomerate, and these days devotes more time to “promoting causes that

are meaningful.”

Steinberg’s Drive for the Cure golf tournament, started at Pelican Hill

Golf Club in 1995 to benefit Juvenile Diabetes, has been a success, and

for years he has been an advocate of sports head injuries, expanding

awareness and staging symposiums.

Steinberg built an empire with quarterback clients like Troy Aikman and

Steve Young, while representing hordes of No. 1 draft choices.

But, aside from his regular job, Steinberg has rallied the public more

than once, including a triumphant effort in keeping the Giants in San

Francisco and a failed try with the “Save the Rams” group.

As host and sponsor of the Newport Beach Film Festival with his wife,

Lucy, Steinberg is trying to not only save what the city of Newport Beach

almost lost, but rejuvenate the festival and have it “become as

significant as Cannes.”

“It’s time for Orange County and Newport Beach to sort of grow up and

flex its muscles,” added Steinberg, whose love for the silver screen goes

back to his childhood at Hillcrest Country Club in Los Angeles, a haven

for movie stars in the 1950s and ‘60s.

So, in his effort to rally Orange County as “the center for the arts” and

the Newport Beach Film Festival as “an exciting showcase,” he continues

to produce golf tournaments for worthy causes and, well, seems to always

bring out the stars.

As executive producer of the inaugural Celebrity Golf Tournament to

benefit the two aforementioned charities, Steinberg didn’t get much rest

from the previous night, when he hosted the film festival’s opening-night

gala.

Many of the same celebrity golfers who were expected to tee off the next

morning at Pelican Hill were on hand for Steinberg’s opening night at the

film festival, including Raiders defensive tackle Darrell Russell and

free-agent shooting guard John Starks, who asked for his release from the

Chicago Bulls and has a lot more time these days to watch independent

movies and play golf.

Saints running back Ricky Williams, Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez and

Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart were also part of the golf

tournament, which raised between $50,000 and $100,000. Warrick Dunn and

John Lynch of the Buccaneers were also there.

“We feel now that we’ve built a solid foundation for this golf

tournament, to where we expect large growth next year,” Steinberg said.

Steinberg said Wednesday he has purchased Mike Gillis & Associates, a

hockey agency. “This now moves us in a different direction and it gives

us a brand new sport,” Steinberg said, referring to his partners, Jeff

Moorad and David Dunn.

As if it isn’t already a big enough week with the Masters, The Golf

Channel features virtual round-the-clock coverage of the Masters.

The 26th annual Newport Center Association Golf Tournament will be played

April 24 at Newport Beach Country Club.

A nonprofit organization, NCA represents building owners and businesses

in Fashion Island and Newport Center. Proceeds from the tournament will

benefit the Newport-Mesa School District, honoring teacher-written grants

for all schools in the district. Details: (949) 644-4622.

We’re one week from knowing who our first competitor will be in the Tea

Cup Classic Aug. 11 at Big Canyon Country Club (8 a.m.).

The final round of the Big Canyon women’s club championship (won last

year by Sally Holstein) is next Thursday, followed by Mesa Verde Country

Club’s final round on April 14. Newport Beach will decide its 2000

champion on April 27, and Santa Ana Country Club the following day.

The event is staged for the four women’s club champions in the Daily

Pilot’s circulation.

Pelican Hill will host the Tim Brown Celebrity Shootout on Sunday from

noon to 7 p.m., the first of two events. A Celebrity-Am Golf Classic is

played the following day at Dove Canyon.

Brown (Raiders) will join celebrity friends on the links to raise money

for children. Brown is the tournament chairman and national spokesman for

Athletes & Entertainers for Kids.

Richard Dunn’s golf column appears every Thursday.