The Breakfast Ball
Heavy
49ers legend Jerry Rice practices putting at The Breakfast Ball celebrity golf tournament presented by Thomas Bagels.
It was about the time when San Francisco 49ers legends Joe Montana and Jerry Rice welcomed us to The Breakfast Ball celebrity golf tournament presented by Thomas Bagels and Front Office Sports when I wondered if this was all a dream, to quote Biggie. Yet, there I was with 5-time Pro Bowl receiver Steve Smith Sr. in a golf cart to my right and Urban Meyer’s ride to my left.
Hitting the golf ball straight is a topic for another day. Yet, it is hard to get that frustrated given the breathtaking ocean views at TPC Harding Park.
Heavy Sports was fortunate enough to get invited to play in The Breakfast Ball as part of the Super Bowl festivities in San Francisco. The unlimited bagels did not hurt either (personally, I am team blueberry).
Admittedly, the idea of playing in a celebrity golf tournament was about as foreign as taking one of those private planes into space.
Chances are you feel the same way, but we’re here to walk you through playing in a celebrity golf tournament, just to be prepared in case the opportunity ever arises. In the words of Marshawn Lynch, if you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready.
The Breakfast Ball Used a Scramble Format (Good News for Struggling Golfers)
The Breakfast Ball utilized a scramble format which is a fancy way to say it is forgiving for average golfers. Teams were formed in groups of four to five golfers. Each team takes the best position for each shot.
Let’s say one golfer drives the ball the longest at 360 yards, while a struggling golfer hits it just 100 yards. This is a hypothetical and not something I ever experienced.
But in this scenario the entire team would hit their next shot from the 360-yard spot instead of where their shot landed. This format continues with each shot throughout the tournament.
It has been an oddly brutal winter in Atlanta, meaning it has been challenging to make it to the golf course in recent months. All you need to know is that one of your boy’s putts was utilized during the round, and now I can die achieving the pinnacle of golf (outside of maybe winning a green jacket).
Not mentioned, all the other shots that were not used by my team.
That Time I Golfed With Steve Smith Sr. at TPC Harding Park
I have to admit that it was initially intimidating playing alongside Smith, one of the best receivers to ever wear cleats. This quickly subsided as the former Pro Bowler could not have been more encouraging.
It is worth mentioning that Smith is also a good golfer, to the surprise of no one. I’ve played better golf, but it will still be a lasting memory to have formed new friends in an epic environment two days before the Super Bowl.
If you ever get the chance to play TPC Harding Park, say yes. Even better if you get to play alongside Steve Smith Sr. with endless blueberry bagels.