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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, March 25, 2010

Wie is wheeling and dealing

 •  Meet the Big Wiesy's biggest fan ... by far


Advertiser Staff

In the space of four days, Michelle Wie finished her sixth semester at Stanford, announced a new endorsement deal with McDonald's, and talked and tweeted about this week's Kia Classic and Mark Rolfing's new TV show. Life moves fast when you are 20 and in demand.

The two-year McDonald's deal is rare, according to a story in SportsBusiness Journal. The fast-food company has not used a pro golfer in U.S. TV advertising since Greg Norman more than a decade ago. Wie is expected to be the "face of a public relations campaign" launching McDonald's smoothies in May, according to the journal. Her first ad will debut in about a month.

The affiliation is an extension of the work Wie did with Ronald McDonald charities here in December. At Tuesday's press conference for the Kia Classic, which starts today at La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, Calif., Wie said she still ate Happy Meals and had no knowledge of a "Michelle Mac."

Later, one of her tweets was: "Who doesn't love Big Macs and Fries?! And now with the McCafe, there is absolutely no need to go anywhere else! I'm lovin it. For sure."

Wie also signed a deal with Kia last month. Her endorsement deal included driving a custom made Soul.

"It's black and has a dragon on the side with black rims," Wie said. "The interior is red, so it's Stanford colors. It's really cool."

Wie is Rolfing's guest in his new Global Golf Adventure show, which debuts Saturday on NBC and features Hawai'i the first week.

NOTES

Hoakalei Country Club will host its second annual Ernie Els Hoakalei Cup charity tournament April 20. The event will raise funds for five local charities that help children: Beautiful Son Foundation, Boys & Girls Club of Hawai'i, Campbell High Athletics, Hoakalei Cultural Foundation and Hoakalei Charities. Team sponsorship packages range from $2,000 to $25,000 and include golf, lunch, dinner, prizes, a tee package worth $300, cocktail awards reception and dinner at the club members lounge. For more information, call 388-4049 or visit www.hoakaleicountryclub.com.

The third annual Hawai'i HomeOwnership Center benefit is May 12 at Pearl Country Club. Teams that enter by March 31 will be in a drawing to win a trip to Las Vegas. The tournament supports the center's programs for first-time buyers and homeowners having problems with mortgage payments, on O'ahu, Kaua'i and the Big Island. For more information, visit www.hihomeownership.org or call 523-9500.

The inaugural Kahiau charity golf tournament will be July 23 at Hawai'i Prince Golf Club. All proceeds will support the "growth and development of junior tennis in Hawai'i." Call 585-9526 for more information on playing and sponsorship.