Look To The Stars News: Tiger Woods

Stars Sign Books For Charity Auction

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Eyebrows of rare book and signature collectors will rise this fall when an extraordinary collection with a tender mission will be available for an online auction beginning November 9-24, 2009.

Dubbed The Little Auction That Could, the 70+ collection includes signatures from some of the most iconic figures of our time, including President Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, JK Rowling and Tiger Woods.

Passionate about education and literacy, volunteer mom Karla Preissman wanted to foster a love of reading among children living at Jensen Beach, Florida-based Hibiscus Children’s Center who have suffered from abuse and neglect. First, she helped create the Reef Library within the shelter and filled it with hundreds of books and resources. But that wasn’t enough…she wanted to make sure that these resources would be replenished and the library maintained and supported by staff that would help make literacy a key component to the healing received at the foster care center.

She came up with an idea. Why not ask famous people what books inspired them as a child and ask them to simply sign their names in a copy that would be auctioned for the benefit of Hibiscus Children’s Center? What started off as a simple request has mushroomed into a wildly varied and fascinating glimpse of what some of the most famous people on the planet believed to be a motivating book from childhood. Other iconic figures, such as President Barack Obama, signed a book symbolic of his time in office—a first edition pop-up White House children’s book.

Author and poet Maya Angelou submitted three signed books, one coming from her personal library called Story of Phillis Wheatley detailing the life of a slave turned poet during the American Revolution. How do you place a value on a collectible item like that?

Other stars who have taken part include Hugh Hefner, Sean Connery, Arnold Palmer, Andy Roddick, Chris Evert, Katie Couric, Jay Leno, Jeff Probst, Bill Cosby, Jamie Lee Curtis, Lee Ann Womack, Tori Amos, Carrie Underwood, Donald Trump and many more.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based antiquarian book dealer and appraiser Robert Hittel believes, “Owning one or more books from this eclectic collection would be the cornerstone of anyone’s collection.”

For the complete listing of signed books and information about bidding, click here. To see the collection firsthand, visit the exhibition at the Elliott Museum in Stuart, Florida beginning November 6 through November 29, 2009.

Founded in 1985, Hibiscus Children’s Center is a non profit organization that addresses abuse and neglect issues throughout the Florida Treasure Coast. Programs include Foster Care, parental support, counseling for families in crisis and services to reunite children with their families, when appropriate. Click here for more info on this charity.

Sheryl Crow To Headline Tiger Woods Charity Party

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Singer Sheryl Crow is to headline this year’s Bloc Party for the Tiger Woods Foundation.

The Block Party is an exclusive event organized to express gratitude to the Orange County community for its support of the Tiger Woods Learning Center and its students. Through intimate musical performances and exciting live and silent auctions, the Block Party has raised more than $4 million for the TWLC since its inception in 2005. The 2008 Block Party raised approximately $700,000 for the TWLC, a 14-acre youth-education facility located in Anaheim, Calif.

Past musical guests include Seal, Melissa Etheridge, Grammy Award winner John Mayer, and Glenn Frey and Joe Walsh of the legendary Eagles. Block Party auctions have featured exceptional sports and entertainment experiences, including putting lessons with Tiger Woods, one-of-a-kind memorabilia, and VIP trips to the world’s best sporting events and entertainment destinations.

The event will take place on October 17, and more information will be made available here.

Tiger Woods To Play For Native American Youth

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:30:00 -0000

Golf legend Tiger Woods will play in a charity golf tournament next month to raise money for Native American youth.

The star will tee off at the Notah Begay III Foundation Challenge in New York on August 24 to support youth sports and wellness programs for Native Americans in New Mexico and other states.

Woods was expected to play at last year’s event – which raised $180,000 – but had to pull out due to a knee injury.

The Notah Begay III Foundation Challenge is a one-day event hosted by Notah Begay III to raise money for the Notah’s Foundation. The Foundation delivers sustainable programs for Native American youth in the form of soccer and golf programs and the Foundation Challenge is the biggest fundraising event of the year.

The 2008 Notah Begay III Foundation Challenge featured four of the top 25 players in the world in Vijay Singh, Camilo Villegas, Mike Weir, and Stewart Cink. Those players joined Notah at the Turning Stone Casino & Resort and, in front of 2,500 spectators, played an 18-hole exhibition match for $500,000 in “Skins”. Although Vijay Singh led early in the match, Camilo Villegas collected the most Skins and won $220,000.

The 2009 Notah Begay III Foundation Challenge will also be held at the Turning Stone Casino & Resort on August 23-24, 2009 and promises to be just as big of an event as 2008.

More info can be found here.

Tiger Woods To Host AT&T Golf Tournament

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Tiger Woods is to host a major charity golf tournament later this month.

The AT&T National Golf Tournament will tee off on June 29 and raise funds for the Tiger Woods Foundation and the Tiger Woods Learning Center.

“I was obviously disappointed not being able to play last year,” Woods said. “But I’m excited about being completely healthy and playing and competing this year.”

During a week when Americans are celebrating their independence, this commemorative occasion will pay tribute to the many courageous men and women serving in the Armed Forces. Not the least of whom is Tiger’s father, the late Earl Woods, a man with extensive military and Special Forces experience.

“In celebration of your service, we extend our heartfelt appreciation and support of the many sacrifices you make every day,” Tiger told military members. "It is because of your courage and bravery that Americans enjoy their freedom.

“We are privileged to host you the week of June 28 – July 5, 2009 at the AT&T National.”

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 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 set specific goals to achieve their dreams.

The Tiger Woods Learning Center is a youth-education facility and curriculum created by the Tiger Woods Foundation. Launched in February, 2006, the Tiger Woods Learning Center is an innovative 14-acre, after school campus designed to inspire career exploration. Serving members in grades 4 through 12, classes include forensic science, robotics, engineering, aerospace, video production and home design.

The event will be held at the 7,173-yard Blue Course in Bethesda. More information can be found here.

No Doubt To Headline Tiger Jam

Fri, 08 May 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Golf legend Tiger Woods is to host Tiger Jam XII on May 16, a charity concert with some very special guests.

Tiger Jam is an annual event that benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation and a selection of Las Vegas-based charities, such as Child Haven, Center for Independent Living, Greater Las Vegas Inner City Games, Boys & Girls Club of Las Vegas, GRAMMY in the Schools, and the VH1 Save The Music Foundation.

This year’s Tiger Jam will be headlined by Gwen Stefani and No Doubt, and will also feature Paramore and The Sounds.

The concert will take place at the Manadaly Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, with tickets ranging from $64 to $164.

To purchase tickets or find out more, visit the official Tiger Jam website.

Tiger Woods To Host Chevron Golf Tournament

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Aime Pingi

The Chevron World Challenge celebrates its 10th year by once again bringing golf’s finest stars to Southern California. This year’s tournament will be played at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, CA, from December 15 – 21 on a course designed by famed architect and professional golfer Jack Nicklaus.

Tournament host Tiger Woods will lead a field of 16 elite PGA TOUR players including the top 11 available from the Official World Golf Rankings, the Defending Champion, and four special exemption players selected by the Tiger Woods Foundation. The players will be competing for a $5.75 million prize purse in which the winner receives $1.35 million, and the 16th place finisher receives $170,000.

The tournament will help raise money for programs of the Tiger Woods Foundation, including the Tiger Woods Learning Center in Orange County. 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.

The Host

Born on December 30, 1975, Eldrick (Tiger) Woods was just six months old when golf first caught his attention. Intrigued by watching his father putt at their Cypress, California home, it wasn’t long before Tiger would be putting on the “Mike Douglas Show” at age two with Bob Hope.

The son of the late Retired Lieutenant Colonel Earl Woods and his wife Kultida, Tiger shot 48 through nine by age three. He compiled one of the most impressive amateur records in golf history, winning six USGA national championships and the NCAA title, before turning professional on August 27, 1996.

That same year, he and his father Earl founded the Tiger Woods Foundation with the mission of empowering young people to reach their highest potential by initiating and supporting community-based programs that promote the health, education and welfare of all of America’s children.

Since 1996, Tiger has won 86 tournaments, 64 of those on the PGA TOUR, including the 1997, 2001, 2002 and 2005 Masters Tournaments; the 1999, 2000, 2006 and 2007 PGA Championships; the 2000 and 2002 U.S. Open Championships; and the 2000, 2005 and 2006 British Open Championships.

Off the course, his Foundation has touched the lives of an estimated 10 million young people through career exploration and character development programs, and annual fundraising events like the AT&T National, Tiger Jam presented by AT&T, the TWLC Block Party, and the Chevron World Challenge presented by Bank of America. For more information on the Tiger Woods Foundation and how you can help, visit www.tigerwoodsfoundation.org

The History

The Chevron World Challenge is an offseason golf tournament hosted by Tiger Woods. The tournament takes place each December at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, California. In 1999, the tournament’s first year, it was played at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The field is comprised of the defending champion, the top eleven available players from the Official World Golf Rankings, and four special invitees chosen by the Tiger Woods Foundation. It is not an official money tournament on any tour, but it is recognized as an unofficial money event by the PGA Tour.

The Chevron World Challenge was established as a charity fundraiser by Tiger Woods, and all the funds raised go to charities with which he is associated. It is an extremely lucrative event for the professionals who take part. In 2007 the prize fund was $5.75 million. Woods donates his prize money to the Tiger Woods Foundation.

Tiger Woods' Caddy Digs Deep For Charity

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Tiger Woods' philanthropism has rubbed off on those closest to him – his caddy has just donated US$610,000 to a charity in New Zealand.

Steve Williams – who was born in New Zealand and has been Woods’ regular caddy since 1999 – donated the cash to the Starship Foundation in Auckland to go towards a new US$3 million cancer ward being built in the Starship Children’s Hospital, the country’s largest facility for sick kids.

The hospital treats nearly 70 percent of child cancer patients in the country but hospital authorities say the medical facilities are well below standard. Williams and his wife, Kirsty, spent a day at the hospital last year meeting many families in the cancer ward, and felt a donation was needed.

“It was impossible not to get emotional,” said the 44-year-old. “I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to have a child diagnosed with cancer and then have to go through the long treatment process.”

Williams donated the cash from his Steve Williams Foundation which traditionally supports junior golf projects.

Justin Timberlake's Charity Golf Gathers Support

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

As Justin Timberlake's Shriners Hospitals for Children Golf Open inches closer, some top golfers have pledged their involvement.

David Duval, Rory Sabbatini, and Jesper Parnevik have all been confirmed to play, and the Prince of Pop is thrilled with the lineup so far.

“For me, golf is one of those things where you go out and forget about everything else… I remember I hit one amazing shot off the tee, straight down the middle,” he said. “I got to thinking, ‘Maybe I could play this game.’ I’m self-taught. I’d watch Tiger and Ernie Els on TV and try to learn from what they did, but obviously I related music to it. The golf swing is very, very rhythmic. There’s a certain tempo to it, just in like in music.”

Following on from the success of last year’s event, the Open will take place October 13-19 at the TPC Summerlin course in Las Vegas.

The annual event has taken place every year since 1983 and has raised more than $10 million for Las Vegas area charities. Previous champions include Tiger Woods, Greg Norman, Davis Love III, Paul Azinger, Jim Furyk, Curtis Strange and Fuzzy Zoeller. Last year – thanks to Timberlake’s involvement – the event was re-named the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospital for Children Open.

Shriners Hospitals for Children is a network of facilities in North America that provides superior medical care at no charge to children under the age of 18. A PSA featuring Justin Timberlake can be found here.

Giving Back Fund Announces Top 30 Celebrity Givers

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:30:00 -0000

The Giving Back Fund has released its second annual Giving Back 30 survey, a ranking of the celebrities who have made the largest donations to charity in 2007 according to public records.

Heading the list was Oprah Winfrey, who donated $50.2 million to the Oprah Winfrey Foundation and Oprah's Angel Network to “support the
inspiration, empowerment and education of women, children, and families around the world and to encourage people around the world to make a difference in the lives of others”. Coming in second was Herb Alpert, who donated a total of $13 million to the Herb Alpert Foundation, followed by Barbra Streisand, who gave over $11 million to the Streisand Foundation.

To compile the most accurate rankings, The Giving Back Fund culled media reports of charitable giving by sports and entertainment professionals; reviewed PF-990 tax-forms; contacted more than 250 publicists, attorneys, agents, agencies, and managers for information about their clients; sent inquiries to more than 150 charities known for their celebrity associations; and contacted the major sports leagues.

“Our hope is that celebrities will begin to become more comfortable sharing information about their charitable giving - perhaps not disclosing everything they give, but sharing enough that they will serve as role-models to their peers and fans,” said Marc Pollick, President and Founder of The Giving Back Fund. “We know that many celebrities re-direct income from sponsorship and merchandising deals to charity, or help to raise funds in other ways. We are researching reliable means to report this information in a separate list.”

The Giving Back Fund did not include grants made by foundations in the list so as to avoid counting the same funds twice - once when the donor gave money to a foundation and again when the donor decided on a beneficiary for that money. The Giving Back did not calculate giving as a percentage of the celebrities income because there is no consistent way to calculate income when taking into account income from sponsorship and merchandise sales.

Donations to private foundations are disclosed in public documents. However, donations to public charities are not publicly disclosed and therefore may not be reported in the Giving Back 30.

The rest of the list included Paul Newman, who gave away over $10 million; Mel Gibson, who gave $9.9 million to the AP Reilly Foundation, the tax-exempt entity named for his late mother, which supports Holy Family Catholic Church in Malibu, California; Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, who collectively donated over $8 million to good causes; and Lance Armstrong, who pledged $5 million to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Other celebrities listed included Michael Jordan, Rosie O'Donnell, Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh Hefner, and Tiger Woods.

To see the full list of celebrities and their donations, see the Giving Back Fund website.

Justin Timberlake Proves That Fashion Rocks

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Justin Timberlake, Miley Cyrus and Charlize Theron were some of the stars who appeared at the fifth annual Fashion Rocks concert celebrating the relationship between music and fashion last Friday.

Proceeds from the show – which was televised on CBS on Tuesday night – went to Stand Up To Cancer, which held its own star-studded telethon on the same evening. The Fashion Rocks show included a performance of more than a dozen divas — including Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Natasha Bedingfield, Fergie, Rihanna and Cyrus — who sung their new charity song Just Stand Up, which was beamed live to the Stand Up To Cancer television extravaganza.

“This is the first time we’re all together singing the song,” said Bedingfield. “It was really special. It was really like a sisterhood, like a bond… We’re all used to being the stars — the only star in the room — and it was really nice I think that everyone could just come together and really support each other.”

Also present at Fashion Rocks were Hilary Swank and Hayden Panettiere, with performances from Kid Rock, Keith Urban, Duffy, the Black Eyed Peas, and the Pussycat Dolls. But it was the sizzling duet between Timberlake and Beyonce on “Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing” that stole the show.

And just to prove that there really is nothing like the real thing, Timberlake has also confirmed he will once again host the Shriners Hospitals for Children Golf Open in October.

Following on from the success of last year’s event, the Open will take place October 13-19 at the TPC Summerlin course in Las Vegas.

Shriners Hospitals for Children is a network of facilities in North America that provides superior medical care at no charge to children under the age of 18, and more information about the event – including how to get tickets – can be found at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Golf Open website.

Tiger Woods Joins Sports Stars In Auction

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Sports stars Tiger Woods and Wayne Gretzky have donated items to an auction to benefit a Canadian charity that offers programs such as music therapy and physio-occupational therapy to more than 400 children a year.

Overlooking the shores of Okanagan Lake in Vernon, British Columbia, The Rise is a resort community that features a golf club, a private beach, a winery and vineyard, and a spectacular array of sought-after Okanagan real estate. This year it will hold its third Moonlight Serenade Charity Gala to raise money for the North Okanagan Neurological Association, an organization that aims to strengthen the abilities of children with special needs and enhance opportunities for them to participate in their community.

The Gala will include an auction that features an autographed photo donated by golf legend Tiger Woods and a jersey from “the greatest hockey player ever”, Wayne Gretzky. NHL stars Trevor Linden and Sidney Crosby have also donated signed jerseys to the auction.

“The business community in Vernon and the surrounding area has really rallied around this cause and are contributing to make this year’s gala the most successful one yet,” said Leona Snider, president of The Rise.

The Gala takes place at The Rise on August 23, and will include a champagne reception at 5 p.m. followed by a three-course dinner. Tickets cost $199, and more information can be found at the website.

Tiger Woods Foundation Wants Cell Phones For Soldiers

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Dawn Fantasia

“This event means a lot to me,” wrote Tiger Woods in a note to his fans expressing his appreciation for their outpouring of support for the AT&T National, in which 120 of the world’s best players will compete for the AT&T National tournament trophy and $6 million in prize money at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesday, MD, on July 2-6.

The opening ceremony will include performances by the U.S. Air Force Ceremonial Brass Quintet, the Joint Honor Guard representing the five branches of the military.

“I wanted this year’s ceremony to honor the men and women who serve in our military and their families,” Tiger Woods said. “I grew up in a military household, which gave me an understanding of the sacrifices these soldiers and their families make for all of us. It’s our way of saying thanks to them.”

“I’m really looking forward to playing the AT&T National. It’s a world-class venue that should provide a great week of competition,” said Fred Couples, who holds 15 PGA TOUR victories and will be participating in the AT&T National’s ceremonial first shot on Wednesday, July 2. Davis Love III, who holds 19 PGA TOUR titles, added: “Congressional has one of the greatest courses in the U.S. and I wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to compete on the Blue Course.”

Tournament officials announced that other top golfers committed to the 120-player field include KJ Choi, Rocco Mediate, Zach Johnson, Anthony Kim, Stuart Appleby, J.B. Holmes, Ryuji Imada, Paul Goydos, Bart Bryant, Jeff Quinney, Daniel Chopra, D.J. Trahan, Fred Funk and Charles Howell III, Notay Begay, Chris Riley, Olin Browne, Billy Andra and many more.

Children ages 13-18 will have the opportunity to participate in the First Pump Challenge at a station in the Grove at Hole 11 by sharing their proudest moments and greatest achievements with Tiger Woods. Children at home can also participate in this challenge online by submitting an essay or video about their “first pump moment” to the Tiger Woods Foundation at www.tigerwoodsfoundation.org.

AT&T has donated more than $500,000 worth of prepaid phone cards to Cell Phones for Soldiers. During the tournament you will receive free postage at the AT&T Digital Clubhouse to mail your old cell phone to the organization. If you are not planning on attending, you can still help out by dropping your old cell phone off any AT&T store.

For more information, go to www.att.com/pressroom/soldiers. Tickets for the tournament start at just $25 and can be ordered by calling 1-800-594-TIXX or visiting the tournament website at www.attnational.org.

Toby Keith Raises Cash For Ally's House

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:34:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The annual Toby Keith & Friends Celebrity Golf Classic in Oklahoma last week set a new record by raising $709,000 for Ally's House, a nonprofit organization that helps families dealing with childhood cancer.

Since establishing the golf tournament five years ago, country music sensation Toby Keith has raised more than $2.3 million for the charity – named after the daughter of one of Keith’s band who died from kidney cancer – and this year was no different, with more than 750 people attending the weekend of sport, music and a celebrity auction.

Auction items were donated by stars such as George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Loretta Lynn, Tom Hanks, Tiger Woods, Brett Favre, LeBron James, Andre Agassi, Tony Stewart, and Peyton Manning, although it was the chance to dine with Toby Keith himself that raised the most cash – a huge $35,000.

“I knew we could make a difference with Ally’s House, but it really is even bigger than I’d hoped,” said Keith. “We’ve helped a ton of families, and we’re proud that we have never had to turn away an Oklahoma family that needs help.”

Sting’s 20th Year Saving Rainforests

Mon, 05 May 2008 11:44:38 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler, will celebrate their 15th annual Rainforest Foundation Fund benefit concert, Some Kinda Legacy, at Carnegie Hall May 8.

The Rainforest Foundation Fund (RFF) came out of Sting and Styler’s Rainforest Foundation International (RFI), created in 1989 to raise awareness about the need to conserve tropical forests, support indigenous peoples, their land, their rights and to develop resource management. RFI began its focus on Brazil and then spread throughout Latin America, Africa and Asia. RFF has continued funding the programs and creating new ones to this end since 1999.

To help raise awareness of both the rainforest and the Fund’s mission, the Mayor’s office has declared May “Rainforest Awareness Month” and the Empire State Building will be lit in green Thursday evening during the event.

Besides Sting, the many other performers at the concert will include Billy Joel, James Taylor and Brian Wilson, followed with a gala dinner at the Grand Ballroom at Plaza Hotel, and then impressive items will be up for auction, such as a smart car, an opera night in Paris and stay at the Ritz, Bruce Springsteen memorabilia and concert tickets, tickets to a Police concert, a meeting with Tiger Woods, a visit to the set of Law & Order, and more.

Tickets to the concert range from $150 to $600, and can be purchased through Carnegie Hall

Justin Timberlake To Host Golf Open

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 08:31:06 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

The PGA Tour has named four-time Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter Justin Timberlake as the 14th celebrity to ‘host’ a PGA Tour event. Renamed the ‘Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open’, the event takes place at TPC Summerlin on October 13-19, 2008, in Las Vegas, and will be televised on the Golf Channel. In addition to hosting, Timberlake will also take part in Wednesday’s Pro-Am, and hold a concert during the week of the Open.

“I couldn’t be more excited to host the upcoming 2008 Las Vegas tournament and to be involved with the Shriners Hospitals for Children,” said Timberlake. “We will make sure to make this event unique and memorable, and we will raise money for charity while participating in the greatest game ever played. I thank the PGA Tour and the Shriners Hospitals for Children for this amazing opportunity. Raising money to better children’s lives while playing golf? I can’t think of a better way to pass the time.”

The annual event in Las Vegas has taken place every year since 1983 and has raised more than $10 million for Las Vegas area charities. Previous champions include Tiger Woods, Greg Norman, Davis Love III, Paul Azinger, Jim Furyk, Curtis Strange and Fuzzy Zoeller.

“The PGA Tour is delighted to announce Justin’s involvement with our Las Vegas event,” said PGA Tour commissioner, Tin Finchem. “This promises to be an exciting and effective collaboration, one that will only raise the profile of the great work done by the Shriners Hospitals. The Tour is proud of its history of improving the lives of people in the communities in which we play, and we are confident that the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open can be a leading example of that charitable mission.”

While Timberlake joins the ranks of other celebrity ‘hosts’ – including Bing Crosby, Sammy Davis Jr., Bob Hope, Andy Williams, Danny Thomas, Dean Martin, Ed McMahon, Frank Sinatra, Glen Campbell, and Jackie Gleason – he certainly isn’t new to the game itself. The ex-NSYNC heartthrob has already established himself as an avid golfer and is rumored to have a 6-handicap.

“Justin is a very keen golfer and he’s playing to a very high standard now,” a source close to Timberlake said in April. “His aim is to make it into a pro event, just for a tournament or two. He practices every day, has a coach and takes his clubs wherever he goes.”

Timberlake, who is a member of the exclusive Sherman Oaks Country Club in Los Angeles, took a cue from rocker/golfer Alice Cooper. “As Alice Cooper said, you can either drink all day or golf” said Timberlake.

Last year, Chris Baldwin, a senior writer for Golf Publisher Syndications, asked Timberlake if he gets nervous playing in front of the galleries at PGA events. “I get way more nervous playing golf in front of 500 people than being on stage in front of 20,000 people. I’ve been performing all my life pretty much in music. On stage, even if it’s an outdoors concert with half a million people, I’m in my element. I know what it takes to put on a good show for the fans. Out on the course, you want to hit the ball well so badly, but there are so many things you don’t have control over.”

Third Annual Tiger Woods 'Block Party' Raises over $1M

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 19:27:44 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

On October 6, Tiger Woods hosted his third annual Block Party at the Grove of Anaheim to benefit the Tiger Woods Learning Center (TWLC), a 14-acre youth-education facility located in Anaheim, California. The yearly event raised more than $1M, which goes directly to programs at the TWLC. “I want the kids to become better,” said Woods, “Better overall as a person, have a better opportunity at life, achieving their goals, and ultimately, giving back what they’ve learned.”

On Saturday morning, Woods hosted a private golf event at Mesa Verde Country Club in Costa Mesa, where Fred Couples and John Cook joined Woods for an exhibition game before heading off to the red carpet festivities surrounding the Block Party at the Grove. Crimson lighting, red roses and red carpets decorated the Grove, where over 700 people showed up to support Woods’ efforts.

The event featured a VIP reception, cocktails, silent and live auctions, a gourmet dinner and a performance by Grammy Award winner John Mayer. Guests included Teri Hatcher of ABC’s “Desperate Housewives,” Isaiah Washington of NBC’s “Bionic Woman,” tennis pro Lindsay Davenport and Dave Annable of ABC’s “Brothers & Sisters”. Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis prepared the four-course dinner, which included filet mignon, crab and ricotta manicotti, and fried polenta with marinara sauce. De Laurentiis, host of the program ‘Everyday Italian’ is the granddaughter of Italian movie producer Dino De Laurentiis and shared her thoughts on today’s youth. “We better take care of them, or we’re not going to have a great society when we grow old.”

Live auction items included an autographed guitar and meet and greet with John Mayer and Tiger Woods, which sold for $16,000; and a ‘VIP Grammy package’ auctioned off by National Recording Arts and Science President ‘Jimmy Jam Harris’, who also kicked in free recording time at his personal studio, winning bid: $38,000. But the bidding really got exciting when a trip to the 2008 Masters Tournement was auctioned off. 1992 Masters Champion, Fred Couples fueled a bidding frenzy after joining the auctioneer on stage to offer the winning bidder a round of golf at Augusta National Golf Club with himself on the Sunday prior to the 2008 Masters Tournament and transportation to Augusta with Couples on a private jet. Wining bid? $145,000. Thanks to Tiger Woods and all the sponsors for giving us yet another great event to benefit today’s youth.  

The Tiger Woods Learning Center is a youth-education center that represents the vision of Tiger Woods and his goal to provide Orange County youth from diverse backgrounds an interactive enrichment program that will improve individual aptitude in reading, math, science and technology. As a result, youth will develop personal accountability, independence and resilience leading to greater knowledge of career options and an increase in college enrollment.  

The Block Party is held to express gratitude to the Orange County community for supporting the Tiger Woods Learning Center and its students. The Block Party has raised more than $2 million for the Orange County youth attending the Tiger Woods Learning Center. Woods has donated more than $9 million of his own money to the 35,000-square-foot center, located at Crescent Avenue and Gilbert Street. The center cost about $25 million to establish.

Oprah Tops Celebrity Philanthropy A-List

Sat, 12 May 2007 08:24:00 -0000

Written by Steve Purcell

A list of the 30 largest public donations made by celebrities in the past year puts Oprah in the top spot.

The Giving Back Fund, which encourages and advises on celebrity philanthropy, compiles its list each year. President Marc Pollick said, “Encouragement-by-example is the main reason for the Giving Back 30 list.”

Oprah gave $58.3 million to Oprah's Angel Network and her recently-opened Leadership Academy.

Of the other celebrities high on the list, Barbra Streisand was in fourth spot, having given $11.75 million through her Streisand Foundation.

Tiger Woods took fifth place, giving $9.5 million to organisations including the Tiger Woods Learning Center funded by the Tiger Woods Foundation.

Giving Back’s Marc Pollick praised an increasing trend in celebrity donations, saying, “Ten years ago when Slate magazine first published the Slate 60 reporting on the most generous American philanthropists, the last donor on their list gave $5 million. This year the last donor donated $30 million to charity. This is the type of growth we are hoping to inspire within the sports and entertainment community. One cannot help but be influenced by the generosity of his or her peers.”

The full list and information about how it was compiled can be found at givingback.org. This site has previously reported on many of the list’s featured celebrities and their donations; a comprehensively linked version of the list appears below:

Position	Celebrity	Donation	Cause(s)
1	Oprah Winfrey	$58,300,000	Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy, Oprah's Angel Network, and other groups
2	Geoffrey Beene	$44,000,000 (bequest)	Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
3	Jack and Marie Lord	$40,000,000 (bequest)	Hawaii Community Foundation
4	Barbra Streisand	$11,750,000	Streisand Foundation, numerous civil liberties, environmental, and civil rights organizations “dedicated to democratic values”
5	Tiger Woods	$9,500,000	Tiger Woods Learning Center, Earl D. Woods Sr. Scholarship Fund, and other Tiger Woods Foundation programs
6	Rosie O'Donnell	$5,700,000	Katrina Relief efforts including Renaissance Village (a temporary shelter for Katrina victims), day care centers, a rehabilitation center in San Antonio, and a Habitat For Humanity sub division in Baton Rouge
7	Martha Stewart	$5,000,000	New York’s Mt. Sinai Hospital for a center on healthy aging
8	Carmelo Anthony	$4,282,000	CAF Youth Center in Baltimore, AAU Basketball, Syracuse University Recreational Center, and other charities
9	Pat Boone & Shirley Boone	$3,000,000	Pepperdine University for the Graduate School of Education and Psychology Center for the Family
9	LeRoy Neiman	$3,000,000	The School of the Art Institute of Chicago to support a Master’s class in figure drawing
11	Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt	$2,415,000	School and Community Center in Swakopmund in Namibia, Daniel Pearl Foundation, Namibian hospitals, Doctors Without Borders, Global Action for Children and others
12	Nicolas Cage	$2,000,000	Amnesty International for a fund to help child soldiers
12	Dwayne Johnson (“The Rock”) and Dany Garcia Johnson	$2,000,000	University of Miami to name new Alumni Center living room
12	Paul McCartney	$2,000,000	Adopt-A-Minefield
12	Arnold Palmer	$2,000,000	Pledged to the Arnold Palmer Foundation ultimately to benefit the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute
16	David Geffen	$1,600,000	David Geffen Foundation
17	Susan Saint James and Dick Ebersol	$1,300,000	The Gunnery to help pay for a new dormitory in memory of their son Teddy killed in a plane crash
18	Jeffrey and Marilyn Katzenberg	$1,250,000	Boston University to renovate facilities
19	Andre Agassi	$1,070,000	Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation
20	Tiki and Ronde Barber and family	$1,000,000	University of Virginia to support the McIntire School of Commerce, the Virginia Athletics Foundation, Childrens Hospital, a scholarship fund for African-American students, the Young Alumni Council, and to challenge young alumni to participate in the capital campaign
20	Bob Barker	$1,000,000	Georgetown University to endow a fund at its law school that will focus on the study of animal rights
20	Gloria Estefan	$1,000,000	The Miami Project
20	Dr. Phil McGraw & Robin McGraw	$1,000,000	Dr. Phil Foundation
20	George Steinbrenner & family	$1,000,000	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for Boshamer Stadium for baseball
20	Tony Stewart	$1,000,000	Victory Junction Gang Camp
20	Denzel Washington	$1,000,000	Save Africa's Children
27	Mike Sexton	$560,000	Special Olympics, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis, Children, Inc., Wounded Warrior Project, Ohio State University, and other charities
28	Lance Armstrong	$500,000	Lance Armstrong Foundation
28	Dolly Parton	$500,000	Fort Sanders Medical Center
28	Elizabeth Taylor	$500,000	New Orleans AIDS Task Force to purchase mobile medical unit for AIDS sufferers in New Orleans

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