For 11 straight years Steve de Castro, CEO and owner of the Ruth’s Chris Steak House-Big Steaks Management, has been blessed with gorgeous weather for his annual “Sizzling Celebrity Golf Classic,” held at the Chestnut Ridge Country Club in Lutherville to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Maryland Chapter.
Armed with a yummy beverage and a charged-up golf cart, we made the rounds, spotting Ravens players present and retired, including Mark Clayton, Corey Ivy, Jonathan Ogden and Brad “Bearcat” Jackson, along with Ch. 13’s Don Scott, Towson University men’s lacrosse coach Tony Seaman and former Baltimore Colts great Jonathan Ogden.
Caught up with Big Steaks COO David Sadeghi, whose feet were firmly planted on the ground and still trying to convince yours truly to join him skydiving. Met up with the owners of Life Fitness Physical Therapy — Dan Gardner, Josh Gochnauer and Brian Weisman — who hit it big by getting Anita Marks, radio host at 1300-AM, as their celeb fourth. The girl’s got game.
Speaking of hits, while watching Ms. Mark’s fabulous drive, a ball came from behind us and nailed her — hard! — right on the shoulder blade. After making sure she was all right, one of her teammates said, “Jeez Anita, that makes two today?” What?! Seems Anita was hit in the bum on the previous hole. While she was nursing her latest bruise, the owner of the second hit came running up the fairway screaming “Anita, I’m so sorry.” Then he turned to me and said, “See, golf is more dangerous than skydiving.” Yup … Dave Sadeghi was the guilty party.
After all the golf fun, the post party was held at the Havana Club in Baltimore, where de Castro announced the golf winners — Bill Shenas, Rick Slaughter, Karl Osterling, Frank Glorioso and Howard Stevens — and the record-breaking total of $311,000 that was raised.
By the way
• Legal beagle Sheela Murthy, founder and prez of Murthy Law Firm, recently donated one million bucks to the United Way to establish a fund to support women in Central Maryland and abroad, according to United Way’s Amrit Dhillon.
• Congrats to Baltimore artist, Joseph Sheppard, who shares time living here and in Italy, for joining the prestigious list of world- renowned sculptors in winning an award from the International Sculpture Society.
• A whopping $45,000 was raised at the recent Wreckers Ball to benefit Baltimore’s Second Chance Inc.’s job-training programs.
• The Commerce Corporation was in town recently for a convention. To entertain themselves — and 2,500 of their best buds, they brought in legendary (and this columnist’s favorite band) Lynyrd Skynyrd to The Hard Rock Cafe. “Of course, the encore will be ‘Free Bird,’ ” Hard Rock’s GM Peter Litecky told us, and it was.
• Spotted at Roy’s Restaurant in Baltimore was none other than celebrity chef Roy Yamaguchi, who was in town to celebrate the restaurant’s 20th anniversary. It was a yummy celebration. Just ask former Oriole catcher Rick Dempsey and Charm City Cakes’ Duff Goldman, who were there enjoying the great food.
Anne’s top pick
What: The Larry and Lori Lickstein Foundation’s Steps to the Cure Inaugural Ball
When: Friday at 8 p.m., with a VIP cocktail hour starting at 7 p.m.
Where: American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Highway in Baltimore
Tickets: Go to www.stepstothecure.com, or call 410-818-4252
