Tiger Woods Hosts Charity Poker Event at MGM Grand

Tiger Woods hosted a charity poker tournament at the MGM Grand’s Whiskey Down saloon on Friday night. The poker event, the Tiger Jam Experience, raised money for the TGR Foundation. TGR Foundation raises tuition money for college students, while funding educational opportunities for underserved American students.

The Tiger Jam Experience includes more than a poker tournament, of course. Celebrities attended for a charity golf tournament at the Shadow Creek golf course.

After the poker event, all those who contributed to the fundraiser attended post-event dinner and a concert. The Tiger Jam is a yearly chance for wealthy citizens who buy the package to rub elbows with pro card players, entertainers, and athletes.

The exclusive charity poker event has an $11,000 buy-in. The entry fee goes to the TGR Foundation and gives players a chance to play poker against Tiger Woods, a cross-section of poker pros, and other celebrities. The World Poker Tour (WPT) sponsors the event, so the various hosts and presenters of the WPT are always on hand.

Who Attended Tiger Woods’ Poker Night?

In years past, attendees included Daniel Negreanu, Maria Ho, and of course Vince Van Patten. Mark Cuban attended several years in a row. Both this year and last year, Lynn Gilmartin and Tony Dunst presided over the event.

Phil Hellmuth, Janet Jackson, and Russell Westbrook attended the 2019 Tiger Jam poker events. Tiger and Russell Westbrook had an all-in moment that drew attention.

Ultimately, Daniel Shak and Anthony Alberto won top honors at Tiger’s Poker Night 2019.

Tiger Woods Resurgence

The past month has seen a Tiger Woods resurgence. Woods became the second-oldest golf player ever to win the Masters, as he mounted a come-from-behind win at the age of 42. Though still the most famous poker player in the world, Tiger Woods had not won a major on the PGA Circuit in 12 years.

Besides the win at the Masters, Tiger Woods also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Donald Trump. Along with the Congressional Gold Medal, the award is the highest honor an American civilian can receive.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is bestowed upon people who made “an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”

Who’s Won the Presidential Medal of Freedom?

Americans mostly win the medal, but past winners include Mother Theresa, former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and former UK PM Tony Blair. Athletes like former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach, New York Yankees star Joe DiMaggio, and Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell all won the award. Among golf players, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus each won the award.

A wide range of others received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The long list includes Hollywood stars (Bob Hope, Jimmy Stewart), activists (Rosa Parks, Lech Walesa), and military figures (Jimmy Doolittle, Omar Bradley, Chuck Yeagar).

Lawsuit Against Tiger Woods

Not every event in the past month of Tiger Woods’ life has been good news. The family of 24-year-old Nicholas Immesberger — an employee at Tiger Woods’ restaurant in Jupiter, Florida — is suing the golf star. Immesberger became inebriated after his shift (while still at the restaurant), then dried while driving drunk.

The Immesberger family believes the restaurant’s management should have stopped serving Nicholas Immesberger. On the idea that Tiger Woods is responsible for his management, they sued the restaurant and the golf player.

Cliff Spiller

Cliff Spiller has been an online writer for more than a decade. He worked for Small World Marketing for years, where he covered topics like gaming, sports, movies, and how-to guides. He's covered US and international gambling news on BestOnlineCasinos.com, USPokerSites.com, and LegalUSPokerSites.com since 2014.

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