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Celebrity
Golf Tournament Bahamas: Swings in Style!
by Ester Napoli
Glance through any entertainment magazine and you will catch a glimpse
of celebrities all dressed up on the red carpet, on film sets, and/or
attending elegant parties and premieres. You can see them relaxing on
yachts in exotic locations, tanning on sandy beaches, and/or shopping
for haute couture in chic boutiques. Where else can you spot celebrities
smiling? Why, playing a round of golf in the Bahamas on one of its many
pristine courses, of course! The Bahamas, apart from being one of the
best vacation spots and boasting luxurious resorts and superb beaches,
is also home to an array of lush and challenging golf courses.
In the Swing of Things
When speaking of celebrity golf tournaments, Bahamas immediately comes
to mind as it is home to one of the most famous celebrity tournaments.
Each year, the One & Only Ocean Club, located on the aptly named Paradise
Island, is host to the Annual Michael Jordan Celebrity
Invitational (MJCI). This event draws hordes of important celebrities
who show off their golfing skills on the Tom Weiskopf designed championship
golf course in order to raise money for their favorite charities. In the
past, MJCI participants have included former president Bill Clinton, soccer
star Mia Hamm, and actors Mark Wahlberg,
Chris Tucker, and “Friends” star David
Schwimmer. Celebrities from the sports and entertainment industries
come out to revel in the competitive spirit of the game and the boisterous
festivities. They take time to pose with fans and sign an autograph or
two while working on their handicap.
MJCI 2007
Bahamas’ celebrity golf tournament is like no other. In 2007, The
MJCI celebrated its sixth year in the Bahamas, and was held from January
17th to the 21st. The Paradise Island Tourism Development Association
(PITDA) signed on as the Presenting sponsor, with Icon International,
Jordan Brand, Nassau & Paradise Island Promotion Board, Nike, Gatorade,
and Golf Magazine also offering their sponsorship. It drew big names such
as Michael Douglas, Wayne Gretzky, John
McEnroe, Kurt Russell and Mario Lemieux.
Since its inception in 2001, the MJCI has raised nearly 3 million dollars
for its charities, and has become the most popular celebrity golf tournament
Bahamas has to offer. Featured charities were: The Butch Kerzner Memorial
Fund, Ronald McDonald Houses of North Carolina, The James Jordan Foundation,
and 40 additional charities designated by celebrity participants. The
event is comprised of an Amateur-Celebrity round, which pairs one celebrity
with a partner drawn from event sponsors and representatives of the Bahamian
local and corporate communities, as well as a Celebrity-Only round. In
2007, the duo of Dan Jansen and Stone Phillips were the winners of the
Celebrity-Only round.
Up to Par
Whether planning, participating, or attending
a celebrity golf tournament, Bahamas definitely
beats other locations! The spectacular scenery
and refreshing tropical breezes combined with
the lavish fairways and meticulously-manicured
greens provide a perfect haven for golfers.
Many of the Bahamian courses are designed by
world-famous golf architects. The Four Seasons
Resort Emerald Bay Golf Club opens up onto the
beautiful waters of Emerald Bay and was designed
by famous golf architect Greg Norman. The Lucayan
Golf Course on Grand Bahama Island is designed
by Dick Wilson and features Tif dwarf grass,
a type of Bermuda grass that allows for faster
putting. Right next door is the Reef Golf Course
designed by Robert Trent Jr., where the golfing
experience is spread over 7,000 yards and features
water hazards on the majority of its holes.
For an up to list of the celebrity golf tournaments
in the Bahamas, see http://golfing.bahamas.co.uk/golfingtournaments/.
About the author:
Ester Napoli: They say if you want to be happy, you have to do something
you are passionate about. One of my passions is traveling and the one
place I fell in love with was the Bahamas; the white sand, clear waters,
friendly environment. It is paradise on earth. I enjoy all aspects of
the Bahamas; the culture, the history, the countless sports and activities
to keep you busy, and of course, the fabulous weather. Website: Glorious
Bahamas Real Estate (www.gloriousbahamas.com).
Oceania
Heights Real Estate
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