It didn't seem to matter when Tim Tebow shanked his drive off of the first tee Saturday in the second annual Tim Tebow Foundation Celebrity Golf Classic at TPC Sawgrass.
It seemed to be just another example how the highly popular NFL quarterback had connected to his fans. Consequently, everything else leading up to that moment and moving forward would turn out just about perfect.
"It was a lot of fun and it was a great crowd. We prayed for great weather and we got it. I think everybody had a great time," Tebow said. "How amazing is it to come play the TPC Stadium Course and have so much support?"
On Friday night, the stars aligned in the TPC Sawgrass clubhouse, led by 2012 Masters champion Bubba Watson, who kept the commitment he made two months ago to his friend. "It fell on my off week," Watson said, "There's great character and a great person in Tim Tebow. Why wouldn't I be here?"
Watson joined an impressive list of celebrity participants, which included Olympic gold medalist skier Lindsey Vonn, country-music Grammy winning artists Rascal Flatts, musician Fred Durst, American idol winner and recording artist Jordin Sparks, ESPN broadcaster Scott Van Pelt, NFL Network's Scott Hanson, Deion Sanders, former major league baseball player Gary Sheffield, Jacksonville Jaguars NFL kicker Josh Scobee, Minnesota Vikings and former FSU quarterback Christian Ponder, Heisman trophy winner and former Florida Gator quarterback Danny Wuerffel, former NFL and Florida Gator running back Fred Taylor, Florida head coach Will Muschamp, current NFL players Maurice Pouncey, Mike Pouncey, Shawne Merriman, Von Miller, Leon Washington and Jacksonville University and former pro basketball star Artis Gilmore.
As the celebrities made their way past the "red carpet", a private dinner and auction ensued where the Tim Tebow Foundation's mission to bring "Faith, Hope and Love" truly elevated to a new level.
There were testimonials like that of teenager Bailey Knaub, part of the Foundation's W15H Program, which fulfills dreams of children with life-threatening illnesses. Bailey has survived 70 surgeries and continues to fight on in her health battles.
"Bailey's such a sweet girl," Tebow said. "Her determination and perseverance is amazing. The courage she gives others is incredible. We play a silly game. We haven't done anything special. This girl has fought through things we couldn't even imagine. She's a real hero."
Perhaps nothing touched the members of the audience more Friday night than when 10-year-old Atlanta native Boomer Hornbeck presented Tebow with over $10,000 of money he mostly raised by writing letters from his hospital bed asking people to help the Tim Tebow Foundation.
Hornbeck suffers from the rare brain disorder schizencephaly and cerebral palsy.
"Boomer is someone that I've known since September 2009. He's a special kid and I have a special relationship with him," said Tebow, who invited Hornbeck to alongside him for the entire 18 holes. "I was emotional and being able to hang out with him today was awesome."
Hornbeck's mother Brooke said, "Tim had no idea and was shocked when Boomer gave him the money he raised last night. He just started writing letters to see what would happen and all of sudden we started getting 30 or 40 letters a day. We had a total of $9,276 and a $1,000 check was handed to Boomer last night to put him over $10,000. Boomer considers Tim Tebow his best friend!"
To cap off the highly-successful Friday night fundraiser, one couple paid $100,000 for a "Day with Tim Tebow", assuring the Tim Tebow Foundation a record-setting night in only its second year.
"That was humbling and you don't necessarily feel worthy," said Tebow. "That family has been very supportive of my foundation in a number of ways. Maybe I'll have to try to be a little bit better that day. Whenever I can find time, I'll go hang out with them for the day."
When the sun came up on Saturday and the golfers headed to the range, the crowd was sprinkled with an assortment of Tim Tebow jerseys, from the orange and blue of the Florida Gators and Denver Broncos to his new green and white New York Jet colors. Even Tebow's old high school colors, green and gold, were represented.
Former Gators wide receiver Terrance Barber and current Nease High School assistant football coach said, "I wanted to be here to make sure Tim knew he still had support from Nease High School. He's an extremely talented individual."
Next to their native son (Tebow), the crowd made it obvious early on that it was Bubba they wanted to see.
Watson, on a whirlwind media tour since winning the Masters last Sunday, managed to get home for one day on Monday. "It's been crazy," he admitted. "I went home, changed some diapers, and fed my new son." The cheeers for Watson increased in volume all day Saturday, especially between 16 and 17 where he stopped to sign autographs for almost 30 minutes.
ESPN's Scott Van Pelt thinks enough can't be said about Watson's appearance.
"This says a lot about Bubba Watson," said Van Pelt. "He's had a busy week and has been all over the place. He could have easily said, 'My week has been a little too much and I just can't make it.' But here he is."
With a Tebow-like following, Watson's presence didn't disappoint, as he helped his celebrity group to an impressive 15 under in the scramble format. On No. 17, Watson stuck his wedge less than four feet from the pin for the day's best among the competitors.
At the par-4 18th, playing downwind and 367 yards , Watson went toe to toe with former long drive champion Gerry James, who was available to hit a drive for each group. Watson pulled out his signature pink driver and drove his ball just short of the green while James found the water. With the use of a mulligan, James crushed the driver about 375 yards to find the putting surface for the eighth time on the day.
Tebow had his own favorite moment early afternoon when he found land on No. 17. "It's the first time I stayed dry in the three times I've played the Stadium Course and I think I was the only person in my group not to go into the water."
To give a little of his own personality into the tournament, Tebow incorporated football and basketball games on two holes.
On No. 2, participants could gain a mulligan if they successfully threw a football at three designated bullseye targets. "My teammates hit the targets before they even needed me to throw," said Tebow.
At the tenth hole, a basketball goal was set up with the same reward. Watson hit his free throws, but Tebow didn't.
"I thought about walking in his putting line or stepping on his ball," joked Tebow, "but that would not be good golf etiquette. Seriously, we're both very passionate and very emotional people. It meant a lot to me having him here. I hope Bubba doesn't let anybody change him. I think people appreciate Bubba being himself and that's why everyone loves him."
Watson returns to the TPC Stadium Course next month for THE PLAYERS, scratching his head with guarded optimism. "Winning The Players would be great," said Watson, "but the golf course really doesn't suit my game real well. Who knows what can happen because I'm playing pretty well right now. I'm certainly going to give it my best shot."
Another friend happy to be on hand in support to Tebow's Foundation was Rascal Flatts lead guitarist Joe Don Rooney, who first met Tebow backstage at a concert in Tebow's sophomore season at Florida. "If one of us rolls in a putt for a birdie, we'll remember it and we'll remember the smiles on the faces of everybody having a good time," said Rooney. "We'll also remember why we're here. It's all about saving kids lives. Like Timmy's objective to build children's hospitals around the world and in The Phillipines, he just inspires."
In between shots during his round, Tebow talked to the crowd, posed for pictures and signed every autograph he could. And, he still managed to get some enjoyment out of his game, connecting with the occasional drive and dropping in a putt or two.
"The golf was fun but it needs so much work. I really don't have to worry about it now," said Tebow. Monday he returns to New York to start working out with the Jets.
Watson's group finished three shots ahead of Tebow. But was anybody really keeping score?
