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 May 30, 2008--About a month ago, Tiger Woods held his annual Tiger Jam event in Las Vegas that benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation. The event was held just days after his knee surgery, and in this video from ATT Blue Room Sports, you can watch as Tiger Woods and Las Vegas golfer Charley Hoffman give a clinic at Cascata, one of the best Las Vegas golf courses. Tiger serves as the emcee--while on crutches--while Hoffman hits shots, and the two discuss their playing philosophies. Hoffman is known as one of the Tour's funniest guys, and his personality comes through in the video. At one point Hoffman says, "I schedule my events around Tiger's ... I'm going to be playing a lot in the next month." To that Tiger responds dryly: "If that's the case, I'm coming back early!" Click here to watch the exclusive Las Vegas golf clinic video now (the video takes a few seconds to start rolling). The clinic was a part of Tiger Jam XI presented by AT&T that featured a concert by Van Halen in addition to other festivities.
Woods is introduced as the emcee and walks out to the driving range while using crutches, and says, "Golf's a contact sport, can't you tell?" He then perches on the corner of a high chair and compares himself to legendary golf instructor Harvey Penick, again proving that Tiger is a true student of the game. There are several pearls of wisdom in the clinic and it is definitely worth watching. Tiger seems genuinely impressed with Hoffman's ball-striking, imploring Hoffman that he should be winning more than he has. "Honsestly, why don't you win more ... he hasn't missed a shot yet ... the way he hits it you are going to see him win more tournaments. I have always been a big admirer of Charley's." You can play Cascata. Book your Las Vegas golf course and Cascata tee time ... now. Hoffman seems taken a bit aback by that comment, but Tiger says he's serious and remarks: "You hit, I talk!"  The two also talk a bit about Hoffman's time playing college golf for UNLV, where Hoffman was a member of the 1998 NCAA National Championship team. Woods--who came very close to signing with UNLV--says "You guys were loaded" referring to the time when Hoffman was in school at the same time as current PGA Tour players Chris Riley, Adam Scott and Chad Campbell.
Hoffman and Woods both grew up in Southern California, competing against each other as juniors. The biggest laugh of the clinic was generated when a cell phone goes off while Hoffman is hitting. Hoffman says, "No cell phones please ... Stevie, will you get on that!" in reference to Woods' caddie Steve Williams who is notorious for chastising gallery members for cameras and other disruptions. Cascata is one of three Las Vegas golf courses operated by Harrah's Entertainment. Rio Secco Golf Club is another Rees Jones design, while Las Vegas National Golf Club is one of the most historical golf courses in Las Vegas, having hosted the PGA Tour and LPGA TOur. The course was in the three-course rotation of the 1996 Las Vegas Invitational when Tiger won his first PGA Tour event at the ripe old age of 20.
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