Parker: Cutler golf bash is drive for kids

By Penny Parker, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published June 12, 2007 at midnight

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Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler says the best weapon in his golf game is a driver, but he's not talking about a 300-yard drive-smashing stick.

"I'm a good driver on the cart," he said, during the Jay Cutler Foundation pre-tournament party for Tee Off For Youth Success Golf Ball on Sunday night at The Club at Pradera in Parker. The tourney benefits CETAV and the Mile High United Way's Youth Success Initiative, two charitable organizations working to stamp out youth violence.

Cutler, who took up golf a year and a half ago, said he's developed a passion for the game. "I love it," he said. "I'm playing two to three times a week." Putting, he says, is his strongest skill.

The Santa Claus, Ind., native thanked the gang who gathered at Pradera for the strolling buffet, cocktails, music by the Railbenders and silent auction.

"It's the universal thing to do," he said about his first-ever golf tournament. "It's still a learning experience."

MUSICAL MEMORIES: Co-headliners mellow Michael McDonald and heart-thumping rockers Heart both blew away the crowd at this year's Concerts for Kids concert Friday night at Coors Amphitheatre.

The fourth annual fundraiser for local children's charities, run by darling dynamo Christie Isenberg, brought a blast from the past with these two acts bringing down the house.

McDonald opened the show with hits from his Doobie Brothers days (What a Fool Believes, Taking It To The Streets), solo- career songs (I Keep Forgettin', Sweet Freedom) and his Motown recordings (You Are Everything, Ain't No Mountain High Enough).

His performance served as a welcome warm-up to hard-rockin' Heart. Ann and Nancy Wilson proved they've still got it. Nancy, who combined calisthenics with guitar playing, and Ann, whose rock 'n' roll voice didn't miss a note, wowed the crowd with hits including Dreamboat Annie, Barracuda and Dog and Butterfly. All in all, a good time was had by all.

THE SEEN: 9News entertainment reporter Kirk Montgomery chatting with The Police drummer Stewart Copeland post-Police concert at the new chic Corner Office bar Saturday night. "I recognized him, went over and introduced myself, shook hands and chatted for about five minutes," Montgomery told me. "We talked about everything from the show to the fact that the altitude didn't bother him."

Concerts for Kids singer -McDonald and Heart's Wilson sisters staying at The Curtis Hotel on Thursday and Friday nights.

EAVESDROPPING on a woman at the Jay Cutler Foundation pre-tournament party: "I've been making myself eat more healthy. I figure anything with a glass of wine is good."Parker:

Concerts for Kids

• Beneficiaries: Funds raised from the concert, featuring Heart's Ann and Nancy Wilson and former Doobie Brother Michael McDonald, will benefit Denver School of Science and Technology, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Kunsberg School, Open World Learning, The Bridge Project, The Children's Hospital Foundation.

• More concerts: Because of the success in Denver, Concerts for Kids will expand to shows in Houston and Dallas.

Penny Parker's column appears Tuesday through Saturday. Listen to her on the Caplis and Silverman radio show between 4 and 5 p.m. Fridays on KHOW-AM (630). Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail parkerp@RockyMoun tainNews.com.

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