Tiger Takes World Challenge To Isleworth & All Of Its Fond Memories

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No jokes please, this is a sad day for southern California as the event had become a nice year-end gathering with arguably it's best-ever field this coming December.

However, just think of all the fun we get to have hearing about the Tavistock Group's "foundation," which is about as far from Tiger's superb foundation as you can get when it comes to producing tangible benefits for people-Americans. But at least the Tavistock folks can helicopter the players in from their hotels to get around Orlando's heinous traffic. Or the dangerous roads within the Isleworth development.

Also note the event, sponsored by Northwestern Mutual in 2013, reverts to the World Challenge in 2014. Either they have no sponsor lined up or Tavistock will be the sponsor.

It's not clear from this press release:

WORLD CHALLENGE MOVES TO FLORIDA FOR 2014 TO BE HELD AT ISLEWORTH GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

ESTABLISHING A NEW PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN TIGER WOODS FOUNDATION AND TAVISTOCK GROUP

IRVINE, Calif. (November 22, 2013) – The Tiger Woods Foundation announced today that the World Challenge will mark its 16th year by relocating to Orlando’s Isleworth Golf & Country Club, owned by Tavistock Group, in 2014. The tournament, which features 18 of the world’s best PGA TOUR players and offers Official World Golf Ranking points, will be held December 1 through December 7, 2014.

“We have a longstanding relationship with Tavistock Group and my friend, Joe Lewis, and I am thrilled to see it grow in support of our Foundations,” Tiger Woods said. “We’ve enjoyed 15 amazing years in southern California, which helped us launch our flagship Tiger Woods Learning Center. It serves as a lasting tribute to the local fans that have supported us year after year. I’m looking forward to this next phase of the World Challenge and what it can bring to Florida.”

The 72-hole, stroke play event features an elite field, including notable past champions such as Tiger Woods, Graeme McDowell, Jim Furyk, Luke Donald, Padraig Harrington, Davis Love III and Vijay Singh. Woods has won the event five times.

“We have had 10 great years hosting our own Tavistock Cup golf tournament, and we believe this new partnership with the World Challenge will allow us to expand our presence and investment in the game,” stated Andy Odenbach, vice president of Sports Ventures at Tavistock Group. “The World Challenge has become a marquee golf tournament. We are honored to build on its strong history and host the players, sponsors and fans at Isleworth Golf & Country Club.”

Launched in 2004, the Tavistock Cup was held at Isleworth or Lake Nona Golf & Country Club and was sanctioned by the PGA TOUR. In just ten years, the Tavistock Cup grew in stature to include six global golf clubs and awarded more than $10 million to charity.

The World Challenge was previously held at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, Calif., and Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona. Since inception, the event has raised more than $25 million for the Tiger Woods Foundation. Beginning in 2014, the World Challenge will benefit both the Tiger Woods Foundation and Tavistock Foundation.

“We’ve been looking for ways to expand our relationship with Tavistock and this is a perfect fit,” Tiger Woods Foundation President and CEO Greg McLaughlin said. “The golf season has evolved significantly since our first tournament in 1999. We are very proud of the $25 million the World Challenge has raised, and we’ve been evaluating the best path forward to continue this work. We are excited to partner with Tavistock Group and honored to bring our tournament to Isleworth.”

The 2013 Northwestern Mutual World Challenge will be held Dec. 2 through Dec. 8, 2013 at Sherwood Country Club with an elite 18-man field that includes Five-time Champion and World No. 1 Tiger Woods, 2012 defending champion Graeme McDowell, 2013 PGA Championship winner Jason Dufner, 14 of the top 20 players from the Official World Golf Rankings and an impressive roster of players from the 2013 Presidents Cup. At the 2012 World Challenge Graeme McDowell shot a 4-under-par 68 to finish at 17-under 271 to win by three shots over Keegan Bradley. Tickets are available at worldchallengegolf.com.