Tebow golfs as Jets vets practice nearby

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- When Mark Sanchez, Santonio Holmes and Dustin Keller got together for some workouts this week in Orlando, they were missing one of the highest-profile members of their offense: the backup quarterback.

And Tim Tebow was just up the interstate, spending some time in Jacksonville!

That's OK, Tebow said Friday at the kickoff gala for his second annual Tim Tebow Foundation Celebrity Golf Classic at TPC Sawgrass.

"We'll have enough time working out together," he said.

Beginning Monday, in fact. Tebow said he'll be leaving Florida for New Jersey on Sunday for the start of the Jets' voluntary offseason training program Monday morning. That will be the first time he'll get a chance to really interact with his new teammates and coaches. He spent about four days at the facility immediately after the trade last month, but on Monday, he'll finally begin the process of becoming a Jet.

As for being left off the invitation list for the Orlando workouts? Tebow didn't mind.

"I've been in contact with Mark and he's a great guy, we've got a great relationship," he said from the high road. "We'll look forward to seeing each other on Monday."

Attending the gala was former Jets running back Leon Washington, now a Seahawk. Washington said he was going to give Tebow advice for the New York spotlight.

"Be the same guy," Washington said. "Don't change. And I'm sure he'll do that. He won't deviate from that. The presence he brings to that locker room, instant credibility, it'll be great for those guys. That's going to be a big, big help for [coach] Rex Ryan. I know they're excited about that."

Recently minted Masters champ Bubba Watson committed to the event two months ago and is glad he did. He planned on asking Tebow's advice on instant stardom.

"Watching him perform, watching him show his character and his true colors, it's awesome to watch and it's awesome to see and you learn from that," Watson said. "Everyone can learn from Tim."

Washington, a golf enthusiast, compared Watson and Tebow. Watson became Masters champion without ever taking a lesson or having his swing analyzed. Tebow's throwing mechanics have been ruthlessly criticized despite his success.

"At the end of the day, a playmaker is a playmaker," Washington said. "It doesn't matter how you get it done. I know Rex Ryan can recall last year when Eric Smith was chasing Tim Tebow from behind and he scored a touchdown. Hey, a touchdown is a touchdown. He's a tremendous football player and he's going to do well."

And maybe next year, Tebow will be invited to work out with the established offensive players. Heck, he might be the one putting together the guest list.

"Knowing Tebow, he's not coming there to take a back seat," he said. "He's going there to play, and I'm excited about seeing him play."