Star power, paradise and golf! And there's only one place where you can get it, and that's at the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament.

This year's MJCI will feature 36 of the greatest names in sports and entertainment in a 36-hole duel, and will be preceded by a two-day celebrity-amateur competition where event sponsors and representatives of the Bahamian corporate and local community will get to mingle with the stars.

Flex Alexander, Marcus Allen, Dave Annable, Stephen Baldwin, Boris Becker, Johnny Bench, Drew Brees, Brandi Chastain, Vince Coleman, Richard Dent, Eric Dickerson, Chris Doleman, Nomar Garciaparra, Phil Gordon, Bill Guthridge, Dennis Haysbert, Mia Hamm, Brett Hull, Dan Jansen, Michael Jordan, Boris Kodjoe, Cedric Kyles, Spike Lee, Mario Lemieux, John McEnroe, Paul O'Neil, Stone Phillips, Maury Povich, Albert Pujols, Ahmad Rashad, Smokey Robinson, Jimmy Rollins, Stuart Scott, Ozzie Smith, John Smoltz, Lawrence Taylor, Jason Taylor, Alan Thicke, Gabrielle Union, Adrian Young, Don Cheadle, John Elway, James Pickens Jr. and Mike Piazza, are some of the top entertainment and sports personalities scheduled to attend this year's event.

And you can be in the mix, watching the golfing action as it unfolds if you're a golf fan, or simply star-gaze at your favorite celeb, as Atlantis is offering complimentary tickets to anyone who wants to attend. Tickets are available at all guest services locations. But for more information on becoming a volunteer you can log on to www.mjcigolf.com or e-mail Peter Falcone at pete@mjcigolf.com. Remember, if you don't have a ticket, you won't get onto the golf property.

The tournament is scheduled to be held Wednesday, Jan. 16 to Sunday, Jan. 20 at the One & Only Ocean Club Golf Course, Paradise Island.

Michael Jordan, one of the most famous National Basketball Association players of all times, has been organizing the celebrity invitational tournament for seven years; funds raised are used for social services, and to help the underprivileged of the society.

Proceeds from this year's event will benefit the Butch Kerzner Memorial Fund, the James Jordan Foundation, the Ronald McDonald Houses of North Carolina, and 40 additional charities as designated by celebrity participants.

The Kerzner HIV/AIDS Initiative as the local charity to benefit from last year's tournament, along with the James R. Jordan Foundation, and Ronald McDonald Houses of North Carolina.

Dan Jansen and Stone Philips emerged as the winners of last year's event after the final divot had been replaced, and the last ball sunk at the tourney which was first held in 2001.

Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational

When: Saturday, Jan. 16-Sunday, Jan. 20

Where: Atlantis, Paradise Island

Venue: One & Only Ocean Club Golf Course

Admission: Free

 

Tickets: Available at all guest services locations. But for more information on becoming a volunteer you can log on to www.mjcigolf.com or e-mail Peter Falcone at pete@mjcigolf.com.

Schedule

Wednesday, Jan. 16

All-day guest arrivals and registration

All-day practice rounds

7:30 p.m. - Welcome reception

Thursday, Jan. 17

7:30 a.m. - First round of MJCI Celebrity-Amateur

Evening - Guests at brleisure

Friday, Jan. 18

7:30 a.m. - Final round of MJCI Celebrity-Amateur

7:30 p.m. - MJCI Celebration

Saturday, Jan. 19

9:00 a.m. First round of MJCI

7:30 p.m. MJCI After Dark at Aura

Sunday, Jan. 20

9:00 a.m. - Final round of MJCI

After-play awards presentation - 18th Green

All-day guest departures

*Schedule subject to change