Chevron World Challenge presented by Bank of America

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. --  Tiger Woods established the Tiger Woods Foundation with his father Earl in 1996 as a means of empowering young people of all backgrounds to reach their highest potential. That will continue at the 2001 Williams World Challenge.

Eighteen of the world's greatest golfers will converge upon prestigious Sherwood Country Club, Dec. 11-16, to participate in the Williams World Challenge Presented by Target, which will benefit the Tiger Woods Foundation, Target House at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. and Ride On Therapeutic Riding Program in Ventura County.

The 18-man field for the $4.1 million event will feature host and 2001 Master champion Woods, defending champion Davis Love III, 2001 British Open champion David Duval, 2001 US Open champion Retief Goosen, 2001 PGA Championship winner David Toms, 2001 Volvo Order of Merit title holder Padraig Harrington, Fred Couples, Vijay Singh, Darren Clarke, Colin Montgomerie, Bernhard Langer, Jim Furyk, Scott Verplank, Scott Hoch, Thomas Bjorn, Lee Westwood, Jesper Parnevik, and Mark O'Meara.

The Tiger Woods Foundation empowers young people to reach their highest potential by initiating and supporting community-based programs that promote the health, education and welfare of all of America's children. Through junior golf clinics, motivational speeches, educational programs, the support of local heroes and benevolent giving, the Foundation has interacted with over 85,000 kids across America.

"When I was younger, my dad encouraged me to change the world," Woods said. "He taught me that anything is possible and he showed me how to use talents to reach my goals. Now I am in position to pass these invaluable lessons on and to show kids how they can be applied to every aspect of life."

The Foundation has made it possible for Woods to help and inspire children through junior golf clinics, benefit concerts, motivational speeches, educational programs, direct grants and strong community support.

Since its inception, the Tiger Woods Foundation Benefactor Program has contributed to 132 youth programs in 68 cities throughout 30 states. As proud as he is of his accomplishments on the golf course, Woods is more proud of the difference he is making in the lives of others because the Foundation is enriching the lives of everyone it touches.

Target House is a home-away-from home for children and their families as they undergo treatment for life-threatening illnesses at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. The Tiger Woods Library at Target House provides the perfect place to read, play on a computer or daydream at a window seat.

Target raised more than $12 million to help build and furnish this unique residence. Each of the 50 private apartment suites include a kitchen, living room, bathroom and two bedrooms - all stocked with everything a family needs. There are several common areas with a warm, friendly, home-like atmosphere where families can come together to talk, share and work through each triumph or setback together.

Earlier this year, Target announced Target House -- Phase II. This $8.5 million addition includes the Tiger Woods Pavilion, a large gazebo-shaped pavilion where families can gather for events and entertainment.

Locally, proceeds from the Williams World Challenge will benefit Ride On, an accredited Therapeutic Riding Program in Ventura County that is dedicated to improving the life of disabled children and adults through instruction and guidance in the field of therapeutic horseback riding Over the next three years, the Conejo Valley facility will grow to serve approximately 125 mentally and physically disabled riders each week, give 12,000 lessons, and the community will donate over 18,000 hours of volunteer service.

Information on the Tiger Woods Foundation can be found online at www.twfound.org.