February 19, 2009–So what's the bigger news from today? That Tiger Woods will return to competition next week at the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship or that Tiger Jam, his annual Tiger Woods Foundation fundraiser, returns to Las Vegas in May, headlined by No Doubt? “I’m thrilled No Doubt is kicking off their tour at Tiger Jam,” Woods said. “They are amazing performers, and I’m honored they are helping raise funds and awareness for the millions of young people my Foundation supports.” The concert is scheduled for May 16 and will be part of a weekend-long party with special events at Las Vegas golf courses Cascata and Rio Secco Golf Club.
It was at Tiger Jam last year in Las Vegas that Woods first appeared, aided by crutches, following his initial surgery of the year. Woods used crutches while meeting friends and sponsors on the floor of the Mandalay Bay Arena while Van Halen performed. Prior to the show, he limped on the stage–without the crutches–to thank everyone and introduce the group that includes avid golfer Eddie Van Halen. Woods went on to win the U.S. Open in June before having season-ending surgery. But it appears the long wait is over and Woods is back.
"We received confirmation today that Tiger Woods has committed to play in next week's World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship in Tucson, Arizona," said PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem in a statement. "We are delighted that Tiger is returning to competition and look forward to watching him compete next week." The event is the only match-play format on the PGA Tour and will give Tiger a very good challenge to kick things off in 2009.
The featured Las Vegas golf courses for this article are the aforementioned Rio Secco Golf Club and Cascata, two Las Vegas golf courses owned by Harrah's Golf. Both are award-winning Rees Jones designs. Rio Secco Golf Club is also home to the Butch Harmon School of Golf. Currently Las Vegas golfers can play Cascata for $300 during the week and $400 on weekends. Click now to reserve your Las Vegas golf tee times or Las Vegas golf packages at Rio Secco or Cascata. Rio Secco is also home to the fabulous and beautiful T-Mates.
As far as Tiger Jam XII Presented by AT&T goes, the event is again celebrating and raising funds for the Tiger Woods Foundation. Millions have been raised at the event with such notables as Christina Aguilera, Bon Jovi, Van Halen, Seal and others providing the entertainment. And celebrities such as Charles Barkley, Michael Jordan, Pamela Anderson, Carson Daly, Kevin James and many others annually attend the event. "Playing this show is going to be really fun for all of us," said No Doubt lead singer Gwen Stefani. "Tiger's foundation empowers kids to achieve their dreams and we're excited to help support that."
Since its creation in 1998, Tiger Jam has raised more than $11 million for the Tiger Woods Foundation and select Las Vegas based charities through its sold-out performances and one-of-a-kind auction items. Tiger Jam was created by the Tiger Woods Foundation, an organization dedicated to empowering young people to reach their maximum potential. Since its inception in 1996 by Tiger Woods and his father Earl, the Tiger Woods Foundation has reached an estimated 10 million young people through character development, career exploration, scholarships and grant making programs. Programs developed and supported by the Tiger Woods Foundation all share a similar mission of empowering young people to dream big and to set specific goals to achieve their dreams.
Specific programs of the Foundation include the Tiger Woods Learning Center, a youth-education facility and curriculum based in Anaheim, Calif., and Tiger’s Action Plan, a nationwide character development program based on Earl D. Woods’ book entitled Start Something. Tiger’s Action Plan is a free program for youth 8-17 that addresses three priorities: character education, volunteer service and career exploration. More information on the Tiger Woods Foundation and its programs can be found at tigerwoodsfoundation.org.
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