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By JIM VARSALLONE
© St. Petersburg Times, published June 25, 2001
The teams featuring Brian Adams and the Big Boss Man took the winner's circle during the second Sgt. Slaughter Celebrity Golf Invitational June 1-2 at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami. The event benefited the Sgt. Slaughter Youth Foundation.
The invitational opened with a WWF auction pairings party and auction. Participants mingled with many celebrities at the party, including the Undertaker and his wife Sara, Lita and the Hardy Boyz, Bradshaw, Curt Hennig, Brian Adams, Terri Runnels, Big Boss Man, Michael Cole, Kevin Kelly, James "Bonecrusher" Smith, Jackie "The Joke Man" Martling, David Naughton, Curtis McGriff, Jeff Rimer, Stan Bahnsen, Spencer Folau, Tony LoBianco, Don McNeal, Nick Bockwinkel, Stu Voight, David Duerson, Bobby Bell, Dhani Jones, Chris Zeimann, and, of course, Sgt. Slaughter.
"Last year Sarge had an idea, and we began with baby steps," WWF announcer Kevin Kelly said. "Now it's beginning to get legs, and it's going to take off. It takes a while to get a charitable event like this really up and really running."
Golf began Friday morning on the Great White course; a putting contest took place in the afternoon and a cocktail party and dinner gala in the evening. Golf continued Saturday on the Blue Monster, followed by an awards barbecue.
On the Great White Course, the team of Big Boss Man, Rob Hofmann, Mark Hofmann, Adam Hofmann and Mark Hofmann Jr. finished first, followed by Coachman, Undertaker, actor David Naughton and Robert Guedas.
Boss Man's group fired 16-under par on the Great White course -- designed by pro golfer Greg Norman. Coachman's contingent shot 14-under. Several participants acknowledged Coachman's competitive spirit.
The group consisting of former Minnesota Vikings player Stu Voight, Steve Stone, Troy Mecardo, Thomas Grimm and Herbert Meyers placed third.
On the Blue Monster, the group with Kronik's Brian Adams, actor Tony Lo Bianco, Jets player Greg Lotysz, Joel Karlik and Chuck Conner placed first. Adams, who recently moved to Tampa, looked in great shape and did a good job putting.
Slaughter, Rob Hofmann, Mark Hofmann, Max Hofmann and Adam Hofmann were second. Dhani Jones of the New York Giants, former University of Miami and NFL quarterback Steve Walsh, Florida Panthers announcer Jeff Rimer, Bill Crouch and Jim Johnson finished third.
Matt Hardy, who claims never to have played golf before, made an impressive debut by winning the closest to the pin competition. Ray Williams had the longest drive.
The event attracted 120 golfers. Organizers are already discussing next year's tournament. They would like to run the outing in conjunction with a WWF show in the area.
To help support the Sgt. Slaughter Youth Foundation, call (877) 335-9385. Visit Sarge's Web site at www.sgtslaughter.com.
Hulk Hogan has spoken to officials at Universal Studios in Orlando about filming some wrestling shows. Universal reps checked the prospects of taping pro wrestling shows but also creating a pro wrestling attraction/ride at its theme park. Several years ago, WCW Worldwide used Universal Studios in Orlando to film matches.
Universal Studios acknowledged wrestling's strong following and is interested in housing wrestling shows again at Sound Stage 21. They are still in the discussion stages with Hogan for a fall launch.
On July 10, NWA Florida will present the Super Junior Open, a one-night, 12-man, Invitation-Only tournament at the Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, 506 N Albany Ave., Tampa, to crown independent wrestling's top super junior heavyweight. Taking the lead from the ECWA's highly popular Super 8 annual tournament in Delaware, the Super Junior Open hopes to become an annual event as well, affording some of pro wrestling's top junior heavyweightstars in both the NWA and on the independent circuit an opportunity for exposure and publicity.
The pairings will consist of six one-on-one matches in the first round, two three-way dances in the second round, and the winners of the two three-way dances meeting in the finals.
To make it all official, NWA President Howard Brody announced that the winner of the tournament will receive a championship trophy, and it will be presented to the winner by none other than the man who brought the Super 8 tournament to prominence, ECWA owner/promoter James Kettner.
Of the 12-man field, nine spots have already been filled. Previous Super 8 participants and Florida regulars with either the NWA, IPW-Hardcore or FOW are involved, including "Black Nature Boy" Scoot Andrews, "Marvelous" Mike Sullivan, "Fabulous" Billy Fives and Jet Jaguar.
(The match between IPW's the Shane Twins and NWA Florida Tag Team Champions B. Brian Blair and "the Indestructible" Cyborg has been scratched because of Blair's recent injury.)
Tickets for the Super Junior Open will be $10, $12 and $15 and soon will be available online at Ticketmaster.com, at all Ticketmater locations, including Kmart and select Spec's Music stores, the Desoto Square Mall, Gulfview Square Mall and the Eagle Ridge Mall. They can be charged by phone. Call (813) 287-8844 or (727) 898-2100.
On the Web, check out www.nwa-florida.com; www.nwa-wrestling.com and www.ipw-hardcore.com.
Legendary wrestler Jack Brisco has an interview on the Internet at the WrestlingClassics.com Web site on June 30. Old school wrestling fans in Florida remember the former NWA champ very well.
Brisco's younger brother Gerald currently works behind the scenes for the WWF. They reside in Tampa. Fans can e-mail questions now, prior to the interview. Just go to WrestlingClassics.com/brisco/.
Pro wrestling columnist Jim Varsallone can be reached at wrestling@tampabay.com.