PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas -- Top celebrities from the worlds of sports and entertainment came together once again for four days of competitive golf and exclusive events at the eighth annual Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational (MJCI) at the Ocean Club Golf Course, located on and hosted by Paradise Island in The Bahamas. The Tom Weiskopf-designed 18-hole course was unveiled in December 2000 and is set on the eastern end of the island and offers panoramic views of the lush course and waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The 7,159-yard scenic par-72 course takes advantage of the magnificent Bahamian landscape and island cross winds, challenging golfers' precision and accuracy.
Since the MJCI began in 2000, nearly $5 million has been raised for charity and it has become one of celebrity golf's most popular events. The four-day event kicked off on Wednesday, January 21st and benefited several worthy causes, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation, James R. Jordan Foundation and Butch Kerzner Summit Foundation. Over $150,000 was also donated to thirty local charities.
Celebrity teams in this year's tournament included: John Smoltz/Julius "Dr. J" Erving, Brett Hull/Brandi Chastain, Ozzie Smith/Paul O'Neill, Ahmad Rashad/Samuel Jackson, Michael Jordan/Toni Kukoc, John Elway/ Alonzo Mourning, Lawrence Taylor/Brian Baumgartner, Kenny Lofton/Phil Gordon, Aidan Quinn/Jay Feely, Vince Coleman/Charles Oakley, Richard Dent/Ken Griffey Jr., Stone Phillips/Marcus Allen, Boris Kodjoe/Boris Becker, Mike Piazza/Josh Duhamel, Angie Everhart/Adrian Young, Dan Jansen/Alan Thicke, Chris Doleman/Jimmy Rollins, Roger Clemens/Johnny Damon, Joe Morgan/Flex Alexander and President Bill Clinton/Scott Caan.
Champions Julius "Dr. J" Erving and John Smoltz donated their winnings to individual charities of their choice. Erving donated $20,000 to the Cory Martin Erving Foundation in honor of his son who passed away in 2000 at only 19 years old. Smoltz donated $20,000 to Kings Ridge Christian School in Alpharetta, GA.
Paradise Island Tourism Development Association (PITDA) was this year's Presenting Sponsor. The Jordan Brand and ICON International were also major sponsors, among a range of others.
"All year long, I look forward to hosting my friends at the Ocean Club Golf Course," said Michael Jordan. "There's no place I'd rather be in January than in the Bahamas, on Paradise Island, raising money for some very worthy causes."
The tournament is comprised of the two-day MJCI Celebrity-Amateur Competition Presented by PITDA, which paired one celebrity with three amateur participants drawn from event sponsors and representatives of the Bahamian corporate and local communities. The last two days of the event feature 36 holes of Celebrity-Only play, with celebrity teams competing against one another in a two-person scramble format.
Tournament guests were treated to a host of festive parties and activities at One&Only Ocean Club and her sister property, Atlantis, during the four days of competition. Evening activities included the MJCI Welcome Reception presented by Jordan Brand and the MJCI Celebration presented by PIDTA on Friday night with a special performance by Fergie. On Saturday evening, guests were invited to MJCI AfterDark at Aura, presented by ESPN and signature cocktails courtesy of GREY GOOSE® Vodka. In addition, the GREY GOOSE® 19th Hole show was broadcast on the Golf Channel from MJCI with host Vince Cellini and other celebrity guests who discussed the latest scores and highlights of the tournament.
An NBA legend, Jordan virtually rewrote the NBA record book. He played 13 seasons for the Chicago Bulls and two seasons for the Washington Wizards, leading the league in scoring a record 10 times. His 30.1 points per game average is the highest in NBA history, and, with 32,292 points, he ranks third on the all-time scoring list. Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA Championship titles and was named NBA Finals MVP during each of those series. A five-time regular season MVP, in 1991 and 1992 he became the only player to win back-to-back regular season and Finals MVP awards. In June 2006, Jordan joined the ownership group of the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats, becoming the team's Managing Member of Basketball Operations.
Additional tournament information can be found at www.MJCIGolf.com. For more resort information and reservations, visit oneandonlyresorts.com or call One&Only Ocean Club at 800/321-3000.
Michelle Munick
Senior Account Executive
Susan Magrino Agency
641 Lexington Avenue, 28th Floor
New York, NY 10022
Phone: 212.672.0355
Fax: 212.688.1324
michelle.munick@smapr.com
