Two-Day Golf Tournament Played at Las Vegas’ Exclusive Shadow Creek Course
APRIL 2016 – LAS VEGAS, NV – The biggest names in the worlds of sports and entertainment gathered for three days of special events and competitive golf for the 2016 Derek Jeter Celebrity Invitational (DJCI) April 2016.
Shadow Creek, one of the world’s most exclusive golf courses, was once again the home of this spectacular private, invitation-only golf event. “The Derek Jeter Celebrity Invitational is a tremendous opportunity to enjoy world-class golf, food and entertainment with great friends while supporting my Turn 2 Foundation in its mission to create social change and help young people reach their full potential,” said Derek Jeter. “I am grateful for what we have been able to accomplish so far and look forward to building on our success in 2016.”
During his rookie year in 1996, New York Yankees All-Star shortstop Derek Jeter established the Turn 2 Foundation while sharing a pizza with his father in a Detroit hotel room. The name “Turn 2” is symbolic of the dramatic double play made by infielders during a game. It also represents Jeter’s wish to promote healthy lifestyles among young people and enable them to “Turn 2” his Foundation for guidance and much-needed help to avoid drugs and alcohol.
Since its launch in December 1996, the Turn 2 Foundation has awarded more than $20 million to create and support programs and activities that motivate young people to turn away from drugs and alcohol and “Turn 2” healthy lifestyles.
Its signature Jeter’s Leaders initiative is a four-year leadership development program that fosters academic achievement, positive behavior and social change among high school students in New York City and West Michigan. “The partnership with Derek Jeter and the Turn 2 Foundation has been extraordinary.” said Pete Falcone, president & CEO of JP Sports & Entertainment, LLC, who negotiated the terms to bring this event to fruition. “We are passionate about Derek’s mission with his Foundation and look forward to continuing an incredible event raising funds for an important cause.”
This year’s DJCI kicked off Wednesday, April 20 with a private welcome reception. The first of two rounds of the Celebrity-Amateur tournament, paired one celebrity with four amateur participants, began Thursday, April 21 at Shadow Creek. The event concluded with the final round of the Celebrity-Amateur Friday, April 22 and was followed by one of the event’s signatures, the DJCI Gala and incredible silent auction at ARIA Resort & Casino.
The Tournament
After a slow start on Thursday, tournament host Derek Jeter lead (Jorge Posada, Tino Martinez & Ahmad Rashad) his Friday team with consistent play off the tee and on the greens finishing with a birdie putt on the 18th green to create a three way tie to conclude the invitational at 18 under par.
NFL free agent Reggie Bush and former Yankee & Red Sox Johnny Damon were part of the three-way tie.
On Thursday, former NY Knick John Starks hit the pin from the middle of the fairway on 18 to then tap in for the shot of the day.
About Turn 2 Foundation
The Turn 2 Foundation, established in 1996, has awarded more than $20 million to create and support signature programs and activities that motivate young people to turn away from drugs and alcohol and “Turn 2” healthy lifestyles. Through these ventures, the Foundation strives to create outlets that promote and reward academic excellence, leadership development, and positive behavior.
Turn 2’s goal is to see the children of these programs grow safely and successfully into adulthood and become the leaders of tomorrow.