ARIZONA WILDCAT SPORTS SHORTS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:

Jim Furyk’s wallet didn’t literally split its stitches in late September, when the 40-year-old golfer snatched the PGA Tour Championships’ $10 million (presumably ruby-encrusted) purse.

But it’s fun to imagine a Costanza-sized wallet bursting with large bills, instead of Irish money or coupons for an Orlando-area Exxon station — even though it would be plausible in Furyk’s case.

Former Wildcat Jim Furyk donated $25,000 to his alma mater. Allan Henry-US PRESSWIRE

The Ponte Vedra, Fla., resident recently earned some major euros, pounds and/or dollars playing for Team USA in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, Wales.

But, where George was famously frugal, Furyk alliterates nicely with philanthropy.

The former University of Arizona Wildcat opened his wallet recently and out fell a generous donation of $25,000 to his alma mater.

His generosity is part of a PGA Tour charity program that’s fueled by $200,000 donations from each Ryder Cup player and coach. This year they’ll donate close to $2.6 million to various organizations of the team’s choosing.

Furyk has earmarked funds for Arizona after all seven of his Ryder Cup and after both his President’s Cup appearances.

Despite their generosity, Team USA fell just short of beating Team Europe in the Ryder Cup.

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People often ask Lorena Ochoa when is the next golf tournament she’s playing?

The Arizona Wildcat alum and former No. 1-ranked woman in the world always answers the same:

“I play every day. Golf will always be a part of my life”

The difference these days is, instead of fending off all-comers in the LPGA, Ochoa is playing for her own philanthropic causes.

The United States Golf Association took notice and awarded the 28 year old with its highest honor, the 2011 Bob Jones Award.

Ochoa is the 56^th recipient of the annual award given to those the USGA feels demonstrates a distinguished level of sportsmanship.

Though retired as of this summer, Ochoa certainly isn’t sitting at home on the couch.

“Every time I travel and do a tournament, the funds go into my foundation,” Ochoa said via the USGA official press release. “And I’m writing a book. It’s an exciting time and I’m very happy.”

Ochoa’s foundation has helped hundreds of underprivileged Mexican school children throughout her home country.

(more…)

Former University of Arizona athletes are always making news and not always in traditional mediums. We scoured the Internet and found Wildcats online by visiting these lynx

PHOTOS

Kurt Busch during qualifying for the SaveMart 350 at Infineon Raceway. Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

BURNING RUBBER

The NASCAR season has hit its halfway point and former Arizona Wildcat Kurt Busch is riding high and tight.

The ex-Arizona dorm rat’s 2,524 points place him fifth overall in the Sprint Cup points standings after 18 races. His 11 top-10 finishes and $4.413 million in earnings this year allows him to buy more Ramen Noodles than any other driver on the circuit.

This week, Busch will burn rubber at Indianapolis’ fabled Brickyard 400.

TWITTER

“good luck 2 u 2nite I’m prayin for ya either way remember God’s will will be done 4 u man will not determine ur future!”

- Fendi Onobun to former Wildcat teammate Nic Wise on the morning of the June 24’s NBA Draft. Wise, unfortunately, went un-drafted.

“Leaving the Rockets gym, good workout”

- Houston native Wise on July 1. Wise is not listed on any of the NBA summer rosters.

“Heading to neighbor Michael Milken’s 60th birthday party” 

- Annika Sorenstam on the former Wildcat golfer’s evening plans.

“Just saw a guy outrun a cop that was chasing him. Cop just stopped and gave up. He should really think about doing more cardio” 

- Former track ‘Cat Brianna Glenn doling out advice to a boy in blue

“This morning I was attempting handstand push ups. I think I will bring a helmet next time just in case. Hahaha”

- Wildcat and Olympic swim sensation Amanda Beard on her upside down life outside the pool.

  (more…)

 

Former University of Arizona athletes are always making news and not always in traditional mediums. We scoured the Internet and found Wildcats online by visiting these lynx

PHOTOS

Frye-ing High

Former Wildcat Channing Frye and his Phoenix Suns teammates finished their sweep of the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday night. Fyre and company have a few days to rest before Monday's Western Conference Finals Game One against the Los Angeles Lakers. Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

TWITTER

“Deviststing to Learn about the death of Erica Blasberg fellow LPGA player.”

- Former UA golfer Natalie Gulbis on the death of ex-Wildcat Erica Blasberg, 25, who died unexpectedly on Sunday in her Henderson, Nev., home.

…

“The LPGA is mourning the loss of Erica Blasberg. She was a popular player and well liked. My thoughts are with her family.”

- Ex-Cat Annika Sorenstam on Blasberg’s passing.

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“The last 2 6th man of the year are from the 206 now thatz town bizness congrats to my guy JC”

 - Former Wildcat basketball player Jason Terry, congratulating Atlanta Hawk guard Jamal Crawford on winning this year’s NBA Sixth Man Award. Terry, who won the award in 2009, and Crawford both hail from the 206, aka the area code for Seattle.

We’re currently following many former Wildcats and Tucson athletes on Twitter including: Jerryd Bayless, Amanda Beard, Mike Bibby, Jennie Finch, Rob Gronkowski, Natalie Gulbis, Jordan Hill, Ian Kinsler, Lorena Ochoa, Fendi Onobun, Antonio Pierce, Damon Stoudamire, Annika Sorenstam, Jason Terry, and Bobby Wade.

Add your favorite Wildcats to our list by e-mailing inprogressatpresstime@gmail.com.

FACEBOOK

FACE RACE

Current standings in the race to get 100,000 Facebook fans:

Wildcats 43,777

Sun Devils 40,953

Become a fan at 

“I Bet Arizona Can Find 100,000 Fans Before ASU Can”

YOU TUBE

FENDI FOR HIMSELF

The news that the St. Louis Rams selected Fendi Onobun in the sixth round of the NFL draft surely caused some double takes in Wildcat Hoops Nation. After three years playing for the UA basketball team, Onobun transferred to his hometown University of Houston to play for the school’s football team. The gamble paid off. If his sensational special teams play or freakish athleticism wasn’t enough to woo the Rams, then his promotional YouTube.com video surely sealed his future.

The song will lure you in, his skills will keep you watching: Fendis Pro Day

WEB

WHERE’S WILDCAT

I’m a sucker for a well-crafted “where are they now” column. Javier Morales’ recent TucsonCitizen.com post “Update on how former UA players are faring internationally” piqued my interest. Click here to see some of the official team sites of squads that boasts former Wildcats. Warning: you best brush up on your Polish before clicking:

BENNETT DAVISON – Gold Coast Blaze, Australia

DANIEL DILLON – Melbourne Tigers, Australia

RUBEN DOUGLAS – Cajasol Sevilla, Spain

JASON GARDNER – EWE Baskets Oldenburg, Germany

JESUS VERDEJO – Quebradillas Pirates, Puerto Rico

MARCUS WILLIAMS – Austin Toros, Texas

LOREN WOODS – Mahram Sport Club, Israel

MICHAEL WRIGHT – Turow Zgorzelec, Poland

BLOG

ANNIKA CHATS WITH PEOPLE

Annika Sorenstam is settling into a life without the rigors of the LPGA Tour rather effortlessly…somewhat. This week she’s not waxing about the challenges of lob wedges. Instead, she’s offering advice on the trials of motherhood in this week’s People Magazine Celebrity Blog.

“Annika Sorenstam: How golf prepared me for motherhood” 

Stumbled across any Wildcats online? Tell us about it by e-mailing:

InProgressAtPressTime@gmail.com