NFL Hall-of-Famer Emmitt Smith Commits to Las Vegas PGA Tour Event Pro-Am

Las Vegas, Nevada (August 12, 2011)–The tournament management of the PGA Tour's Justin Timberlake Shrines Hospitals for Children Open has announced that football great Emmitt Smith, who was enshrined into the Hall of Fame last week, is scheduled to play in the official MGM Resorts International Championship Pro-Am at the JT Shriners Open on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010 at Las Vegas golf course TPC Summerlin. Smith, who works with his wife on their own foundation, said in a statement he is happy to play and continue the efforts of Timberlake and the Shriners. “I’m thrilled to be a part of the Pro-Am to support the Shriners Hospitals for Children,” said Smith. “Pat and I are driven to help children through our organization and it’s an honor to be involved with such a prestigious event in Las Vegas. I have a lot of respect for Justin’s charitable efforts and I want to support him.”–By Brian Hurlburt.

A true advocate and supporter of America’s youth, Smith and his wife, Pat, founded the Pat and Emmitt Smith Charities, an organization dedicated to creating unique educational experiences and enrichment opportunities for under-served children. Recently inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2010, Smith is the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, having amassed 18,355 yards during his 14 seasons in the league. "We are thrilled that Emmitt has put his support and participation behind the 2010 Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open," says Adam Sperling, Tournament Director. "The work that Emmitt and his wife Pat have done to benefit under-served children in other parts of the country only serve to further the charitable movements aimed at assisting those most in need. If his golf game is as solid as his heart he’s my early pick to win."

The Pro-am for this year's tournament is sponsored by MGM Resorts International, operators of several Las Vegas hotels including MGM Grand, The Mirage, in addition to operating Las Vegas golf courses Primm Valley Golf Club and Shadow Creek. Primm Valley Golf Club is the home of two Tom Fazio Las Vegas golf courses that are open for all to play. Shadow Creek is also a Tom Fazio design and reserved only for MGM guests. You can click now to view the official web site for the Las Vegas golf courses at Primm Valley. You can reserve your tee times in Las Vegas online at the official website.

The pros at TPC Summerlin played a role in getting Smith to commit to the event. Smith holds his annual charity event at TPC Craig Ranch near Dallas, and the Las Vegas pros worked with the pros in Texas to help get the invite, via the tournament management, to Smith. Word is that another NFL Hall-of-Famer also holds a charity event at a TPC course and an invite has been sent and could be accepted in the near future. It's also cool to note that the golf pros at TPC Summerlin played a helping hand in securing Smith for the tournament. Smith holds his annual charity event at TPC Craig Ranch just outside Dallas, and because of that, it was easy to get in touch with Smith and his people throught the TPC Network of courses.It's  also cool to note that the golf pros at TPC Summerlin played a helping hand in securing Smith for the tournament. Smith holds his annual charity event at TPC Craig Ranch just outside Dallas, and because of that, it was easy to get in touch with Smith and his people throught the TPC Network of courses.        Smith is a three-time Super Bowl champion (1993, 1994 and 1996) and the only player in NFL history to win the Super Bowl, Super Bowl MVP award and the NFL MVP award in the same season (1993). Smith also holds the NFL record for career rushing touchdowns (164) and was named to the Pro Bowl eight times. The Cowboys selected Smith in the first round (17th overall) of the 1990 NFL Draft. Smith starred collegiately at the University of Florida where he set 58 school records in his three years along with earning All-American honors including being named the 1989 SEC Player of the Year. After retiring from football, Smith, along with his dancing partner Cheryl Burke, was crowned the winner of the hit ABC reality show “Dancing with the Stars” in 2006. 

The 2010 Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open is the ongoing commitment between Timberlake and Shriners Hospitals for Children® to continue the tradition of a PGA TOUR event in Las Vegas. The collaboration between Shriners Hospitals for Children® as Title Sponsor and Host, along with Celebrity Host Justin Timberlake, creates a truly unique and world-class event for players and fans alike. A variety of well-known golfers will participate in the competition and help support the mission of Shriners Hospitals for Children®, while enjoying the signature flair that Las Vegas has to offer. The 2010 tournament is October 17-24 at the TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas.