Justin Timberlake: Good Rounds, Good Sounds

By Chris Carney

The Shriners have long been known for their dedication to charitable causes, and no cause rises higher in profile and good deed than the Shriners Hospitals for Children, which have provided free medical treatment for children for nearly a century.

Yet the Shriners, despite their roots in antiquity, are no stick-in- the-mud social fraternity. A glance at the snazzy red fezzes proudly donned by their miniature-car-driving members quickly shreds that illusion.

So it is of little surprise that they are teaming up with singer/actor Justin Timberlake, a man well known for both his sense of humor, outgoing personality and dedication to charitable causes.
He brings his considerable celebrity to the 2009 Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open Championship Pro-Am, a charitable golf tourney running from Oct. 12-18 at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas. It's a week of fun, golf and parties dedicated to helping the Shriners Hospitals for Children, often dubbed the World's Greatest Charity.

Joining Timberlake at this year's event are several pro golfers, including 2008 returning champion Marc Turnesa. Kenny Perry, Heath Slocum and Jason Dufner, all ranked in the Top 10 in the FedEx Cup point standings, are also competing. LPGA pro Natalie Gulbis challenges the boys on equal footing and don't be surprised if she gives them a run for the charity's money.

A bevy of celebrity players also joins Timberlake on the links. This year's crop includes metal god, and an avid Merlin of the greens, Alice Cooper, soul legend Smokey Robinson, saxophone maestro Kenny G and poker masters Phil Hellmuth and Daniel Negreanu.

Timberlake is playing alongside Oklahoma State University sophomore Rickie Fowler, who is making his professional PGA Tour debut. But don't believe for a second that just because this tournament is all about fun and charity, the competition is not fierce. Although players don't gain FedEx Cup points for their performance on the greens, the event is a fully accredited PGA Tour event.

Joining the Shriners are numerous corporate sponsors including Coca-Cola, Rain Cosmetics and Fiji Water. Yet, you do not need to be a celebrity or massive corporation to contribute. Buying tickets to the tourney and volunteering are just two ways to pitch in. Head to jtshrinersopen.com for more information on what you can do to help.

But the charitable largesse does not end there. Not content to tap celebrity power and dollars from the world of golf, Timberlake performs at Mandalay Bay at 8 p.m. on Oct. 17. Like the golf tournament, he won't be alone when he takes the stage. He'll have friends to back him up, including Alicia Keys, Ciara, Snoop Dogg, Taylor Swift and TLC. These stars will help bring much-needed attention to a cause that may not have previously been on their fans' radar.

For the children who benefit from the Pro-Am and concert, Justin Timberlake and the Shriners are a match very much made in an earthly heaven. No word yet on whether Timberlake will sport a red fez or drive the wee little car, but if his and the Shriners previously shown love of pomp, fun and good-natured humor shine through, we may very well be given one more gift to complete a great week.