A number of execs and guests from the golf world attended the PGA Welcome Reception presented by Chase Sapphire at the Green Mile Club at Quail Hollow Club last night. The event’s theme was "A Southern Culinary Celebration" and featured chefs RICHARD BLAIS, TODD ENGLISH and MIKE LATA. Among those spotted were Quail Hollow Club President JOHNNY HARRIS and his wife, DEBORAH; PGA Championship Dir JASON MENGEL and PGA of America Corporate Hospitality Sales FRANCIE GOTTSEGEN; CBS Sports Chair SEAN MCMANUS; CBS Sports President DAVID BERSON; and CBS Exec VP/Sport Sales & Marketing JOHN BOGUSZ, CBS Sports Senior VP/Communication JEN SABATELLE and CBS Sports Exec Dir of Communications ROBIN BRENDLE. Also there were Turner Sports Exec VP/Ad Sales JON DIAMENT, former PGA of America CEO JOE STERANKA, PGA of America Chief Commercial Officer JEFF PRICE, USGA Senior Managing Dir of Business Affairs SARAH HIRSHLAND, NASCAR VP/Business Development CHAD SEIGLER and NASCAR Managing Dir JOHN MARTIN, longtime sports marketing exec DOCKERY CLARK, Intersport Exec VP/Sponsorship Consulting, Experiential & Hospitality Marketing JASON LANGWELL, Orender Unlimited CEO DONNA ORENDER and Prime Sport Exec Chair & CEO TIM BROSNAN. Spotted in the lobby bar of the Westin Hotel in uptown Charlotte, which has become a hub of business during the week, were Turner President DAVID LEVY, Excel Sports Management agent MARK STEINBERG, Augusta National Exec Dir WILL JONES, Golf Channel President MIKE MCCARLEY, Golf Channel Senior VP/ Business Development & Strategy WILL MCINTOSH and Augusta National Golf Club Senior Dir of Business Affairs CASEY COFFMAN (THE DAILY).
SWIMMING IN THE DEEP END: Omega, the official watch of the PGA of America and the Olympic Games, surprised guests playing in the first-ever Omega Golf Trophy Finals by having MICHAEL PHELPS play alongside 30 golfers competing in yesterday’s event in Charlotte. Phelps was joined by fellow Omega ambassador SERGIO GARCIA, as the two presented awards at the conclusion of the event (Omega).
