Audi Forum Phoenix: Celebrities and Athletes Tee Off for Charity at the Audi Hole-in-One Challenge
PHOENIX, AZ (January 30, 2008) – Celebrities and athletes opened the Audi Forum Phoenix by teeing off for children’s charities and the chance to win an Audi R8, one of the world’s most acclaimed automobiles, and winner of the prestigious 2007 “Car of the Year” Awards from Automobile Magazine, Robb Report and Playboy. As hosts Ronnie Lott and Donovan McNabb looked on, entrants were given a Callaway wedge and one chance to sink their shot. In total, Audi of America Inc. donated $15,000 to Lott and McNabb’s personal charities. Students from Carl T. Smith Middle School and Teach for America corps members were in attendance as notable entrants including Molly Sims, Jerry OConnell, Adrian Grenier, Ronnie Lott (San Francisco 49ers) Donovan McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles), Jim Brown (Cleveland Browns), Dontrelle Willis (Detroit Tigers), Gabrielle Union, Darnell Dockett (Arizona Cardinals), Elbert Ickey Woods (Cincinnati Bengals), Braylon Edwards (Cleveland Browns), Jason Biggs, TNTs Craig Sager, Darren Sharper, Kevin Sorbo, Ovie Mughelli (Atlanta Falcons), Reggie Miller (Indiana Pacers), Tommie Harris (Chicago Bears) and Marcellus Wiley (San Diego Chargers) took their shot at winning the rare sports car. After the first round, Ronnie Lott, Ickey Woods, Jason Biggs, Ovie Mughelli and Dontrelle Willis advanced to the finals, where they all narrowly missed making the hole-in-one to win the R8. The finalist who came closest to the pin had the chance to win the second place prize, a weekend for two at the Audi Sports Car Experience at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California. Clad in New York Giants colors, Jason Biggs stepped up and held the lead until Ronnie Lott took his shot, which bested Biggs by two inches. With the outcome so close, Lott and Biggs agreed to a one-swing shootout to determine the winner. Though Biggs ultimately came closest to the hole, both agreed to donate the second prize to McNabbs charity. The Audi Forum Phoenix is a brand showcase and luxury oasis for athletes, celebrities, and VIPs during the week prior to Super Bowl XLII and coincides with the brands first Super Bowl ad since 1991. The 60-second ad was inspired by the Oscar-winning film The Godfather and features prominent placement of the Audi R8, the brands first mid-engine sports car. Audis return to the Super Bowl was preceded by a record year for sales in the United States. The automaker sold 93,506 vehicles in the US in 2007, a 3.8% increase over the previous year. About Audi Forum Phoenix The Audi Forum Phoenix is modeled after the 10 Audi Forums in many of the worlds major cities, including London, Tokyo, Singapore and New York. Sitting on a nine-acre estate, the Audi Forum Phoenix offers access to exclusive events and a level of intimacy and privacy unavailable elsewhere in the chaotic social landscape of the Super Bowl. Amenities at the Audi Forum Phoenix include indoor/outdoor bars, a pool with private cabanas, tennis court, par-3 golf course, and outdoor fire pits. At the Forum, SBE Entertainments ultra-exclusive Hyde Lounge will provide an intimate late-night destination. VIPs including Kate Hudson, Warner Music Groups Chairman and CEO Lyor Cohen and NFL legends Ronnie Lott and Donovan McNabb will host private events as will brands including Sony Cierge, Marquis Jet, and Diageo. About Audi of America Audi of America, Inc. offers a line of luxury vehicles that include the Audi A3 sport compact; the sporty A4 sedan, Avant and Cabriolet models; the high performance S4 sedan, Avant and Cabriolet models, the high-revving RS 4 sport sedan and Cabriolet; the all new S5 Coupe with 354 hp; the design-leading A6 sedan and Avant; the V-10 powered high performance S6 sedan; the Audi Q7 performance SUV; the new all-aluminum Audi A8 and A8L; the new S8 with V10 power; the all-new 2008 TT Coupe and Roadster models; and the all-new, all-aluminum R8, one of the most exclusive mid-engine sports cars in the world. For more information, please visit www.audiusa.com |