May 14, 2009–Tiger Woods isn't coming to Las Vegas on crutches this year, as he did for Tiger Jam XI in 2008, the annual fundraiser for the Tiger Woods Foundation. Tiger is healthy heading into the festivities for 2009, and plans call for him to be welcomed to the Mandalay Bay Events Center stage on Saturday night, May 16, by Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Woods will then introduce Grammy Award winners No Doubt. Other events surrounding Tiger Jam XII presented by AT&T include golf outings at Las Vegas golf courses Cascata and Rio Secco, and a private reception with live and silent auctions prior to the public concert.
Roethlisberger is a two-time Super Bowl champion, and is an avid golfer. Roethlisberger is also scheduled to play next month with Justin Timberlake, host of Las Vegas' PGA Tour event, Michael Jordan, and a player-to-be named later, during the Golf Digest US Open Challenge at Bethpage Black, site of this year's US Open. The event allows the celebrities and an everyday amateur the chance to break 100 just days before the best players in the world try to tame one of golf's sternest tests. Roethlisberger is said to have a single-digit handicap who went from shooting in the 90s to near even par in just a couple of years. Timberlake hosts the PGA Tour's Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open each fall in Las Vegas.
Tiger Jam annually brings some of the biggest names in the world to Las Vegas for fun and a good cause. In 2008, the Tiger Jam raised more than $1.5 million for the Tiger Woods Foundation, and those organizations associated with the Foundation. Some of the celebrities who have attended Tiger Jam in past years include Will Farrell. Kristi Yamaguchi, Carson Daly, Pamela Anderson, Charles Barkley, Ray Romano, Kevin James, Michael Jordan, and many others. Van Halen headlined the concert in 2008. Stick close to Golf Las Vegas Now for the inside scoop on all things Tiger Jam 2009.
Woods, who is struggling with his game–at least for his talent level–was already talking about Tiger Jam just moments after failing to win the 2009 PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Florida. "I've got a concert to host this weekend, so we've got a little bit of work to do, not golf stuff, but organizing that and all the things that come with it," said Tiger, who also holds a clinic as part of the festivities. Last year, Las Vegas resident Charley Hoffman filled in for the injured Woods. Las Vegas golf courses Cascata and Rio Secco Golf Club are both Rees Jones-designed layouts and are resort and open for public play. Click now for your Las Vegas golf tee times at these Las Vegas golf courses.
No Doubt, with lead singer Gwen Stefani, is back together for the first time in five years and are kicking off a summer tour in conjunction with Tiger Jam. "Playing this show is going to be really fun for all of us," said Stefani, a new Mom with two children. "Tiger's foundation empowers kids to achieve their dreams and we're excited to help support that." Other past headliners for Tiger Jam have included Prince, Stevie Wonder, Sting, the Eagles, Celine Dion, Van Halen and Bon Jovi, among others.
Woods said the following in a statement regarding Tiger Jam and No Doubt. “I’m thrilled No Doubt is kicking off their tour at Tiger Jam. They are amazing performers, and I’m honored they are helping raise funds and awareness for the millions of young people my Foundation supports.” All of the members of No Doubt and Tiger Woods grew up in Southern California so it will be somewhat of a homecoming for all.
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.
AT&T is a longtime sponsor of Tiger Woods and is very involved with his philanthropic efforts. About AT&T: AT&T Inc. is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services, the nation’s fastest 3G network and the best wireless coverage worldwide, and the nation's leading high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of their three-screen integration strategy, AT&T operating companies are expanding their TV entertainment offerings. In 2008, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE® magazine’s lists of the World’s Most Admired Companies and America’s Most Admired Companies.