2011 FedExCup Kick-Off featuring Keali’i Reichel

By Wendy Osher

Today is the kick-off event for the 2011 FedExCup featuring entertainment by award-winning recording artist and kumu hula, Keali’i Reichel, ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro, a long drive contest, and more. It’s all part of this year’s Hyundai Tournament of Champions taking place this week in Kapalua on Maui.

Kumu Hula Keali'i Reichel. File Photo by Wendy Osher.

Today’s festivities start at 2 p.m. with televised live coverage on The Golf Channel from 3-5 p.m. The FedExCup features golf pros and celebrities and is a benefit for the non-profit Maui Family and Support Services.

Entertainment featuring both Reichel and Shimabukuro takes place on the 1st Tee.

The Pro/Celebrity Charity Challenge features a list of celebrities and golf greats. 2010 FedExCup Champion Jim Furyk joins Anthony Kim, Dustin Johnson, Graeme McDowell, pro surfer Kelly Slater, and more on Holes #1, 2 and 9 at the Plantation Course.

Other Golf happenings today:

• Dan Boever, the Senior World Long Drive Champion will shows off his trick shots as part of the event.
• Long Drive Contest with Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson, Robert Garrigus and ’09 RE/MAX World Long Drive Champion, Jamie Sadlowski.

There’s also free entertainment daily after the last putt, taking place at around 5 p.m. Thursday, January 6 to Sunday, January 9, 2011.

• Thursday, Jan. 6: Gail Swanson. Influenced by a wide range of singer/songwriters including Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge, Bonnie Raitt and more, Gail’s style is acoustic rock crossed with folk and country genres.
• Friday, Jan. 7: Jimmy Mac & The Kool Kats. Covering everything from funk to Motown, Buffet to the Beach Boys, disco to swing, ballads to good old rock & roll!
• Saturday, Jan. 8: AnDen. An eclectic mixture of Island, Rock steady Ska, and Latin fusion influenced rhythms.
• Sunday, Jan. 9: George Kahumoku Jr. Grammy Award & Hoku Award-winning master slack key guitarist, songwriter and world-traveling performer.

All events are free and open to the public.