Las Vegas, Nevada (October 1, 2011)–Justin Timberlake is hitting the stage tonight for his benefit concert that is held in conjunction with the PGA Tour's Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. Earlier in the week, Timberlake played in the MGM Resorts International Pro-Am. Following the round, he was interviewed by junior reporters from The First Tee of Southern Nevada. Among the topics Timberlake discussed was how his adopted cousin was provided major medical assistance by The Shriners organization. –By Brian Hurlburt
"During my exclusive interview with Justin Timberlake he said that starting this tournament was an easy and stress-free process," wrote Hilary Pauli. "He called the PGA Tour and told them that he would like to host a tournament and they said that Las Vegas was open. Around the same time, the Shriners called the PGA Tour and said that they would like to be a part of a tournament for the kids. Timberlake also said that being able to be a partner with the Shriners was personal for him because his adopted cousin was born with 6 fingers on both of her hands and 6 toes on both of her feet. At the age of 3 she was approved for surgery and Shriners was there to help and support her and her family." Click now to read Pauli's entire article about her experience with Timberlake and the others.
Timberlake's access to the media during the week of this PGA Tour event is very limited, but due to the efforts of The First Tee of Southern Nevada staff member Jim Hart, Pauli and other juniors were able to spend time with Timberlake, George Lopez and Cedric the Entertainer (full disclosure: this reporter's interview request was rebuffed by Timberlake and his body guard on Sunday following the junior clinic). But Timberlake spent several minutes with the junior golfers, answering thoughtfully and walked away impressed with the aspiring journalists.
The journalists also have been interviewing PGA Tour players including former UNLV Rebel golfers Chris Riley and Chad Campbell, among others. The PGA Tour and The First Tee created the "junior reporter" program to give the kids up close and personal access to the PGA Tour events. The articles are posted on the Southern Nevada chapter website. Click to also read a story about Campbell and Riley by Deloise Daniels.
About Shriners Hospitals for Children®: Shriners Hospitals for Children® is changing lives every day through innovative pediatric specialty care, world-class research and outstanding medical education. The 22 hospitals in the United States, Canada and Mexico provide advanced care for children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate. Shriners Hospitals for Children is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and relies on the generosity of donors. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Brian Hurlburt is a board member of The First Tee of Southern Nevada.