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