Galaxy games become events

Far be it for me to ridicule people for watching soccer. Anyone who knows me knows that I love the game and want it to succeed in this country. But seeing all these Hollywood stars — and I use that term very loosely — showing up for the Galaxy’s exhibition game against Chelsea disgusted me. Oh, here is Jennifer Love Hewitt (has she been relevant since "Party of 5?”) admitting, "This is the first soccer game I’ve ever been to.” There’s Katie Holmes and Eva Longoria hanging out with Victoria "Posh Spice” Beckham in a luxury suite. Were they even watching the game? Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was in attendance. I wonder how much soccer he watches? Does NBA star Kevin Garnett know a lot about soccer? I don’t know but he was at the game as well.

The only true Hollywood soccer fan that I saw was comedian Drew Carey (who, incidentally, was just named to replace Bob Barker on "The Price is Right”). While being interviewed by ESPN, he actually stopped talking — during the interview — to watch the action on the field.

It appears that Galaxy games will be the new "in” place to be seen. Perhaps it will serve as a substitute for Laker games during the summer. I’m surprised Jack Nicholson wasn’t at the game Saturday.

Bandwagon fans make me sick.

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What is it about Carnoustie and the British Open? Whenever it hosts the event, there is carnage at the end.

Eight years ago, it was Frenchman Jean Van de Velde coughing up a three-stroke lead on the 72nd hole of the tournament and missing the playoff that was eventually won by Paul Lawrie.

After Sunday’s meltdown, Van de Velde might finally be off the hook. First, we watch Padraig Harrington blowing a two-stroke lead by twice — twice! — hitting his ball into Barry Burn and settling for a double bogey, all but gift-wrapping the title for Sergio Garcia.

But the Spaniard was not in a taking mood. All he needed to do was sink a 7-foot par putt to win his first major title. Instead, the ball slid wide of the cup. Harrington eventually won the four-hole playoff, only after Garcia’s 8-foot birdie putt was, again, no good on the final playoff hole.

I don’t know. I’m always happy to see professional athletes do the things that make them the best. You watch in awe as Tiger Woods decimates the Masters field, winning by 12 strokes. But there is also something to be said for watching meltdowns. They’re like car crashes — you don’t want to watch but you can’t help yourself.

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Chris Chang and Patrick Williams, two rowers from Serra who were attempting to qualify for the Junior World Rowing Championships in Beijing, China, accomplished their goal by posting a qualifying time of 6:22 during the four-man team’s final try. The qualifying standard was 6:23.

"It was kind of nerve wracking but really rewarding,” Chang said. He said they leave for China Sunday.

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Correction and clarification: In the Sports Lounge’s column, "Serra crew hitting the big time” (July 19), Zach Felice’s name was misspelled. Also to clarify: Aaron Gonzales and Cameron Zokaei were rowing for the Southeast Juniors. Also, Anthony Heimuli, who graduated in June, is the 10th member of the Serra team to participate in an elite camp. He is with the Northwest Junior Developmental Camp in Seattle, Wash. and will row for the University of Washington this coming school year.

Nathan Mollat can be reached by e-mail: nathan@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 117.