Golfer ERNIE ELS has signed with IMG for global management and marketing representation. IMG will work closely with Els' current management team at Pros Inc, including PHIL COTTON and VINNY GILES (IMG). The move means Els has "changed management companies for the second time in little more than a year." He may be "trying to capitalize on his increased exposure since winning this year's British Open." Els joins an IMG roster of golfers that includes LUKE DONALD, SERGIO GARCIA and JASON DUFNER (AP, 10/23).
LENDING A HAND: In New Jersey, Bob Klapisch notes the Mets on Nov.1 will host the Hope Shines For Shannon fundraiser for the team's Senior Dir of Media Relations SHANNON FORDE, who was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in August. All local N.Y. teams, "as well as the other 28" MLB teams, are "extending a helping hand." The fundraiser will take place at the Westmount Country Club in Woodland Park, N.J., with former MLBer RON DARLING as the emcee. There will be "an auction of biblical proportions, with prizes that include a hitting lesson" with Mets 3B DAVID WRIGHT (Bergen RECORD, 10/24).
OLYMPIC HONORS: The GUARDIAN's Caroline Davies notes about 225 Olympic and Paralympic athletes from team Great Britain "capped a summer of sporting success" yesterday when they attended a reception at Buckingham Palace (GUARDIAN, 10/24)....In California, Thomas Martinez notes Silver medal-winning U.S. swimmer JASON LEZAK and U.S. Women's Water Polo coach DAN KLATT yesterday were honored by the Irvine, Calif., City Council for their efforts in the London Games (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 10/24).
NAMES: Astros Owner JIM CRANE and Houston Mayor ANNISE PARKER yesterday held a groundbreaking for the development of three youth baseball and softball fields in disadvantaged Houston neighborhoods. The planned development of the fields was laid out earlier this year in the club's creation of its Community Leaders Program" (Eric Fisher, SportsBusiness Journal)....Lakers F METTA WORLD PEACE will “make his film-acting debut in an adaptation” of NANCY GRACE’s first novel, “THE ELEVENTH VICTIM.” The Lifetime movie premieres Nov. 3 (WSJ.com, 10/23)….Actress EVA LONGORIA last week “ended her romance” with Jets QB MARK SANCHEZ (N.Y. POST, 10/24)....Rays Dir of Minor League Operations MITCH LUKEVICS was named recipient of MiLB's Chief Bender Award, presented annually for distinguished service instrumental in player development (TAMPABAY.com, 10/22).
IN MEMORY: Former Blues sales exec JIM “BUBBA” GOESSLING died on Sunday at age 57 “after a 28-month battle with cancer” (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 10/23)….ARMINTA JONES, the mother of Cowboys Owner JERRY JONES, died yesterday. Cowboys VP/PR & Communications RICH DALRYMPLE in a statement said that she “celebrated her 90th birthday last week, with all of her family” and “passed away peacefully” (ESPN.com, 10/23).
