Las Vegas, Nevada (April 1, 2012)–Michael Jordan has some work to do if he wants to successfully defend his title in his own event. Golf stud and former Major Leaguer John Smoltz, along with playing partner and U.S. Olympic soccer hero Brandi Chastain have the lead after one round at 6-under par. Jordan and NFLer Dwight Freeney stand at even par. The final round is Sunday at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas. –By Brian Hurlburt with press release.
Hall of Fame broadcaster Ahmad Rashad, and teammate and former baseball all-star Roger Clemens, are only two strokes back at 4-under. The two-person, 36-hole celebrity-only scramble continues tomorrow with tee times beginning at 7:30 a.m.
Returning to Shadow Creek, MJCI marks only the second time the exclusive golf course has opened its doors to the public. Proceeds from the charitable tournament will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, UC San Diego Nevada Cancer Institute, James R. Jordan Foundation, Opportunity Villageand Cats Care, the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats’ charity arm. Since its inception in 2001, MJCI has raised more than $6 million for charity.
You, too, can play Shadow Creek, just not this weekend. Click now to view the official website of Shadow Creek. If you stay at an MGM Mirage hotel you are eligible to play this Las Vegas golf legend.
The official celebrity scramble was played Saturday, the day following the gala event at ARIA, the host hotel. Click below for a look at the exclusive party and interviews with Chastain, Wayne Gretzky, and Las Vegas native Ne-Yo who performed. In the video, Chastain says, "I'm coming after you Michael." Looks like she was correct, and having Smoltz, who has aspirations of playing the Champions Tour, as a partner helps.
MJCI celebrities in attendanceinclude Michael Jordan, NE-YO, Marcus Allen, Brian Baumgartner, Jerome Bettis, Brandi Chastain, Chris Chelios, Eddie Cibrian, Roger Clemens, Vince Coleman, Julius Erving, Angie Everhart, Joey Fatone, Marshall Faulk, Terry Francona, Wayne Gretzky, Janet Jones-Gretzky, Ken Griffey, Jr., Penny Hardaway, Brett Hull, Toni Kukoc, Mario Lemieux, Sugar Ray Leonard, Greg Maddux, Win McMurry, Joe Morgan, Paul O’Neill, Maury Povich, Ahmad Rashad, Salli Richardson, LeAnn Rimes, Aaron Rodgers, Stuart Scott, Bruce Smith, Ozzie Smith, John Smoltz, Matt Stafford, Jason Taylor, Alan Thicke, Tico Torres, Michael Wilbon, Winky Wright, Adrian Young and more.