Derek Jeter hasn’t forgotten about his old stomping grounds. Or giving back to it, either. For the 21st consecutive year, the Kalamazoo, Mich.
native and legendary MLB Hall of Famer will tee off the Derek Jeter Invitational (DVI) this Thursday at Baha Mar’s Royal Blue Golf Course in The Bahamas, an event loaded with some of the biggest stars in sports and entertainment –– all benefiting Jeter’s Turn 2 Foundation, which has programs in Kalamazoo. The longstanding event is scheduled from Sept. 19 to 22 at Baha Mar, The Bahamas’ premier luxury resort.
“As young people immerse themselves in the Turn 2′s programs, they not only recognize their ability to achieve their goals, but they also discover they hold the power to make a difference in their local communities and beyond,” Jeter said in a news release. “This event is about so much more than a golf tournament – it plays pivotal role in enabling The Turn 2 Foundation to drive meaning change every day. We’re very proud to partner with Baha Mar once again and we are so grateful to our friends and supporters for joining us.
” The Turn 2 Foundation, founded during Jeter’s rookie MLB season in 1996, has long worked to help young people reach their full potential by creating and supporting initiatives that promote leadership development, academic achievement, positive behavior, healthy lifestyles and social change. The event comes nearly a year after Jeter, former Kalamazoo Central star shortstop, unveiled the completion of his alma mater’s entirely revamped baseball and softball stadiums –– a project he donated $5 million through the Turn 2 Foundation, along with the help of Cal Ripken Jr.’s Cal Ripken Sr.
Foundation. Turn 2 also includes Jeter’s Leaders, a four-year leadership development program for high school students in Kalamazoo and New York. Those same leaders serve as ambassadors for Jeter, the retired New York Yankees star, five-time World Series champion and 14-time all-star.
The invitational will include another star-studded lineup during its three days of competitive golf including: CC Sabathia, Flo Rida, Nick Swisher, Johnny Damon, Dexter Fowler, Andruw Jones, Kenny Lofton, Jorge Pasada, Ahmad Rashad, Chris Tucker and Deron Williams, among others. This year’s event kicks off on Thursday with a welcome party emceed by Angie Martinez at Baha Mar Fish + Chop House, which will feature music by legendary, award-winning artist D-Nice. The two-round celebrity-amateur golf tournament, which pairs one celebrity with four amateur participants, will begin on Friday, followed by a competitive shootout and will conclude on Saturday followed by the event’s gala.
Flo Rida will perform live during the gala, which will include a star-studded red carpet. As part of its partnership with Baha Mar, The Turn 2 Foundation will donate $50,000 to the Baha Mar Resort Foundation, which supports causes related to community, culture, and conversation throughout The Bahamas. RECOMMENDED • mlive .
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Proceeds from the event will go directly to Turn 2, which has raised millions to support the foundation’s works since its inception in 2003. During its 28-year history, Turn 2 has given back more than $45 million, funding its signature programs as well as organizations that support its mission. Previous stars from the DVI include Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, Ken Griffey Jr.
, Cap Ripken Jr., Russell Wilson, Rob Riggle, Nate Burleson, Frankie Muniz, Jerome Bettis, along with performances from Snoop Dogg, Pittbull, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes and more..
