Star search, and a little golf

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Jan 21, 2002 Source: The Orange County Register Submitted By: Gina Cates By JOHN REGER LA QUINTA -- They are the staunchest and most enthusiastic of fans, lining up at the course well before the golfers they have come to see have arrived. Wednesday was a school day, but that didn't matter. They took the day off to be at Indian Wells Country Club, though they didn't want to give out their names for fear of getting in trouble. It is a small price to pay to see their heroes. They would do much more to support them, and they look ready to sacrifice. When the limousine pulls up, their feverish squeals paralyze adult ears. They are the new golf fans, at least for a day. Two musicians with boy bands du jour are playing in the celebrity portion of the Bob Hope Classic and attracting quite a crowd. A.J. McLean of Backstreet Boys and Justin Timberlake of 'N Sync are within three groups of one another, and their fans have set up camps, ready to show, vocally, what loyal fans they are. The security guards assigned to the singers should have brought earplugs. When McLean's fans scream their approval, Timberlake's fans answer back even louder. The girls range in age from 13 to 18, though a couple of 20-something women try to mingle with the crowd, and the mothers of some of the girls sneak glances at the singers. By the fifth hole, security guards declare a no-screaming policy. "It's too late," says one girl who is holding a picture of McLean. "I've been screaming my brains out." The other golf fans react with a combination of amusement and annoyance. The Hope usually attracts one of the oldest galleries on the PGA Tour, and these girls have dropped the average age about 50 years. "Who is Justin Timberlake?" one graying woman in the gallery asks. "I don't know what all the fuss is about." I tell her to think of Frank Sinatra, and her face lights up. "Now there was a performer," she says. The golf is secondary. The girls line the fairway but rarely see any shots. They swap stories about the band or talk about the clothes they are wearing. On one hole where the green is elevated, fans have come early to watch the groups arrive. The girls take their positions on either side of the rope leading to the next tee. They can't see the approach shots, but they could care less. Timberlake makes a 12-foot birdie, and there is no reaction. When he walks past the girls toward the next hole, they almost faint. One actually starts crying when he signs her program. They are well-armed for the chance to get a souvenir. They have photos, compact disc inserts of recent albums, scorecards, programs and scratch paper. If a mill transformed it from pulp to paper, chances are they have it. One girl who forgot to bring a piece of paper uses her shirt. These girls have no fear. At one point they see a better vantage point for looking at McLean and increasing the slim chance of getting an autograph. Unfortunately, they have to cross a fairway to do it. Worse yet, players are hitting their approach shots, and the girls are in the line of fire. They get a quick lecture from a marshal, who also has taught them what "stand please" means. "I've been telling them all day," the marshal says about the command to stand still. "They know what it means now." Hitting a tee shot into the rough - which McLean does frequently - provides a good chance for an autograph. When he touches one of the girls who found his ball in the rough, she gets the shakes. Timberlake is fairly straight off the tee. The crush of fans gives him incentive to stay in the fairway. Since they can't get at him, they find anyone who is associated with him. Girlfriend Britney Spears is in Germany, but they hit paydirt when one of them notices his mom, Lynn Harless. "I'm used to this at concerts," Harless said. "I have no idea how they know who I am, though. They must recognize me from the magazines." Some of which are thrust in her face for her to sign. She does, all the while trying to see what her son is doing. It is no use. The fans have mobbed her and the fairways, and getting a glimpse of him is difficult. "How long will this take?" one of the girls asks about halfway through the round. When I tell her she has about another three hours, she is stunned. "Why does it take so long?" She has been on the course less than three hours, and she already is learning the intricacies of golf. The game is in good hands. Comment on this item. Next Item: Shock rocker Cooper lends hand to pop star Prev Item: Hollywood Squares to Feature Brian & Leighanne, AJ