September 13, 2008; Monterey, CA; Celebrating ten years of “swing” and outstanding music, the Monterey Jazz Festival sporting event returns to its roots with the 10th annual Golf ‘n’ Jazz Tournament at Carmel Valley Ranch golf resort on Thursday, September 18, 2008, prior to the 51st Annual Monterey Jazz Festival presented by Verizon September 19-21, 2008.

The 10th annual MJF Golf ‘n’ Jazz Tournament offers golf and jazz fans the ultimate mix of world-class leisure, sport, and jazz on Thursday, September 18, 2008 at Carmel Valley Ranch in Carmel, California. The event challenges contestants to compete on the newly-renovated Pete Dye-designed par 70 golf course, “on the sunny side of the street” of the Monterey Peninsula. The recently completed multi-million dollar restoration includes enlarged greens, enhanced fairways, augmented tee boxes and state-of-the-art amenities. Nestled in the foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountains, Carmel Valley Ranch is rated by Travel and Leisure as one of the “Best US Golf Resorts” in the “World’s Best” readers’ survey, and is a true golfer’s paradise.

Golf contests include Closest to the Pin, Longest Drive, a Putting Contest, and Hole-in-One, each with a chance to win fabulous prizes. Hole-in-One prizes are presented by Sam Linder Jaguar / Land Rover.

With a four person shamble format and shotgun start (beginning at 12:30 pm) Golf ‘n’ Jazz participants will play for awards and prizes while mingling with fellow golfers and select jazz luminaries. The registration fee includes a tasty barbecue buffet lunch, jazzy gift bag, and an afternoon of golf (with cart). Contestants and guests will then enjoy an elegant cocktail and hors d'oeuvres reception, live jazz performance, golf awards ceremony, live auction, and a fabulous gourmet dinner created by award-winning Chef Michel Richard of Citronelle (internationally recognized as one of the world's finest restaurants) at the newly renovated Arbor Ballroom and Terrace at Carmel Valley Ranch. The benefit event, co-chaired by film actor/director Clint Eastwood and Frank Geisler, raises nearly $50,000 annually for the Monterey Jazz Festival's internationally recognized jazz education programs.

The elegant evening concert features vocalist Spencer Day, who inspires comparisons to Harry Connick Jr., Cole Porter, Paul Simon, Rufus Wainwright, and has been called “the male counterpart to Norah Jones,” fusing jazz, contemporary and folk/country genres. Day’s work reveals the influences of composers from Gershwin to Lennon and McCartney; the vulnerability of Chet Baker or Jeff Buckley; and the phrasing and swing of Ella Fitzgerald. The longtime San Francisco resident has and performed at some of the finest venues in the United States, and has released two recordings. The San Francisco Chronicle said “Day's velveteen tones are as rich as ever.”

10th annual Golf ‘n’ Jazz supporters include: Bank of America, the Dunspaugh Dalton Foundation, AT & T, First National Bank, Unity Music and 1st Capital Bank, Green & Jespersen, Inc., Ocean Mist, McGilloway, Brown & Kaufman, Innerworkings, TFD, and Open Systems.

The net proceeds from the Golf ‘n’ Jazz Tournament benefit the Monterey Jazz Festival’s Jazz Education Programs, which have helped change thousands of students’ lives through music education. The Traveling Clinicians and Latin Jazz Programs, Digital Music Education Project, MJF Instrument Bank, the MJF Summer Jazz Camp, and Next Generation Festival and other outreach projects from the Monterey Jazz Festival are made possible every year due to generous donor support.

Playing spots are still available for the 10th annual Golf ‘n’ Jazz Tournament. In anticipation of another sold-out event next year, those interested in participating in or sponsoring the Monterey Jazz Festival’s 10th annual Golf ‘n’ Jazz Tournament on September 18, 2008 are encouraged to contact Michelle Skipwith, MJF Golf ‘n’ Jazz Tournament Director, at (831) 373-3366 or michelle@skipwithandassociates.com or visit the page www.montereyjazzfestival.org/golf.