Tiger Woods Foundation Marks 18th Annual Tiger Jam with Sold-Out Crowd
The Tiger Woods Foundation returned to Las Vegas for the 18th annual Tiger Jam at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino Friday, April 29 and Saturday, April 30 (Pictured: Tiger Woods and Singer-Songwriter Jason Mraz – Photo credit: © Powers Imagery).
Tiger Woods at Shadow Creek
Photo credit: © Powers Imagery.
All proceeds from the sold-out, two-day charity event, hosted by Tiger Woods, will help the Tiger Woods Foundation equip underserved students with the ability to exceed any and all expectations.
Tiger Woods at Shadow Creek
Photo credit: © Powers Imagery.
Tiger Jam kicked off Friday morning at the beautiful Shadow Creek where guests were treated to breakfast and a question and answer session with Joe LaCava, Tiger Woods’ caddie. Woods later hosted an exclusive golf clinic for players on the driving range where he walked through his swing form, discussed club selection and gave insider golf tips.
Chris Harrison, Tiger Woods and Kira Kazantsev at Shadow Creek
Photo credit: © Powers Imagery.
“The Bachelor’s” Chris Harrison, Miss America Kira Kazantsev and professional tennis player Andy Roddick joined guests in a round of golf on the bucket-list course.
Scotty Nguyen at Tiger’s Poker Night
Photo credit: © Powers Imagery.
That evening, guests had the opportunity to knock out the world’s top poker players as they hit the tables at Tiger’s Poker Night, presented by the World Poker Tour (WPT). Poker legend Phil Hellmuth emceed the exciting event, which included celebrity participants Harrison and Roddick; professional poker players David Chiu, Maria Ho, Scotty Nguyen, Vince Van Patten and David Williams; and WPT TV host Lynn Gilmartin. Boyz II Men member Nathan Morris also stopped by the event to support Woods.
Tiger Woods and Lynn Gilmartin at Tiger’s Poker Night
Photo credit: © Powers Imagery.
Three players went all in on the final table, which resulted in crowning Robert Sanchez as Tiger’s Poker Night amateur champion. Van Patten took home the crystal for winning the professional and overall awards.
Tiger Woods and Phil Hellmuth at Tiger’s Poker Night
Photo credit: © Powers Imagery.
The festivities continued Saturday morning as Tiger Jam’s guests got to test their skills in the sponsor golf tournament at Shadow Creek before making their way back to MGM Grand for the reception and live auction.
Final Table at Tiger’s Poker Night
Photo credit: © Powers Imagery.
Harrison welcomed guests to the Grand Ballroom and spoke about what an honor it was to be a part of such an amazing event. He then brought up Rick Singer, president and chief executive officer of the Tiger Woods Foundation, who introduced Earl Woods Scholarship recipient, Evan Chang. Chang is the Tiger Woods Foundation’s first doctor. He graduated from New York University School of Medicine and will attend the University of California, Los Angeles for his residency training in anesthesiology this summer.
Vince Van Patten, Tiger Woods and Robert Sanchez
Photo credit: © Powers Imagery.
Chang thanked the Tiger Woods Foundation for challenging him to further his limits and for constantly reminding him that success is not defined by where you started from, but by overcoming obstacles and showing character through countless hours of hard work and dedication. After his speech, he introduced Woods who spoke about the foundation and thanked everyone for attending.
Chris Harrison and the Fergie Twins
Photo credit: © Powers Imagery.
Harrison then jumped back on stage with auctioneer Jake Parnell to co-host the live auction. Guests were able to bid on one-of-a-kind luxury items including a Full Swing golf simulator, ACURA MDX, international getaways, rounds of golf on elite courses and more.
Kira Kazantsev examines auction items
Photo credit: © Powers Imagery.
Following the bids, singer-songwriter Jason Mraz performed an intimate, once-in-a-lifetime private concert for guests. He even paid homage to past Tiger Jam performer Prince with a rendition of “Purple Rain.” To cap off the night, attendees headed to the official after party where they danced the night away to DJ Suga Ray and enjoyed custom cocktails.
Tiger Jam Reception
Photo credit: © Powers Imagery.
The 2017 VIP list, is now open for entry to next year’s Tiger Jam 19 events.
Tiger Woods, Evan Chang and Rick Singer
Photo credit: © Powers Imagery.
Tiger Jam After Party
Photo credit: © Powers Imagery.
Kira Kazantsev and guest
Photo credit: © Powers Imagery.
Jason Mraz performs during Tiger Jam Concert
Photo credit: © Powers Imagery.
The Tiger Woods Foundation
Where you come from shouldn’t mean failure. At the Tiger Woods Foundation, it doesn’t. Our programs break the cycle of poverty with college-access opportunities for low-income students. At Tiger Woods Learning Center satellites across the country, scholars in grades 5-12 are immersed in an interactive STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) curriculum. Here, they make the connection between school and career, while planning a road map to college. Tailored to the needs of the first-generation scholar, the Earl Woods Scholarship Program provides four-year college scholarships coupled with an unyielding support system. But we don’t stop there. Through dedicated mentors, professional development workshops and internships, our one-to-one philosophy ensures the success of our students in college and beyond. See how our scholars are smashing the cycle of poverty at tigerwoodsfoundation.org and @TWFoundation.