Justin Timberlake

While it is amazing to spend the week watching some of the best players in the world unleash their slick skills, (get excited for today's Championship Pro-Am!), it is critical to understand the reason behind all this action: Shriners Hospitals For Children. What we've learned first hand in talking with the volunteers here is Shriners' mission is distinct to any other charity and its impact truly inspirational.

Upon arrival on the golf course on Monday morning, we were instantly fascinated with Shriners' volunteers' funky famed hat, best known as a fez (See picts below!) Hence, we started chatting with a few volunteers who kindly led us to their trailer emblazoned with the Shriners Hospitals logo and proceeded to enlighten us about the history Shriners Hospitals for Children: 22 hospitals worldwide offering highly specialized care for children up to 18 years old... at no cost!

With the opening of a first hospital in Louisiana in 1922, this health care system originally started off to treat orthopedic conditions caused by polio. After a vaccine was developped, the Shriners decided to continue to devote time and money to the cause of children's health. They now specialize in pediatric orthopedics, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate (the hardcore stuff that can make a family who doesn't have insurance literally go broke.)

Inside the trailer, passionate volunteers told us a little more about the organization's mission. At the base of it all, the Shriners understand the impact of a comfortable environment on the healing of children. The hospitals don't look or smell or feel like one. Treatment rooms feature Barney and Spiderman-inspired examination tables, in order to offer kids a whimsical rather than traumatizing experience. Staff gets involved with families. There is no cash register except at the cafeteria, and the food is apparently cheap and delicious. In short, it is unlike any hospital we'd ever heard of!

Justin himself is the first one to acknowledge and commend this distinction: "There are so many charity events out there, and you'll often see philanthropists giving away tons of money on a nice piece of art, but then not know where that money is actually going. It's moving to know that the money we're raising this week is going directly to the kids," said Justin at the JT Shriners Open press conference held at the TPC Summerlin golf course on Tuesday.

500 or so volunteers will be dedicating their time and efforts during this week's tournament. They're Shriners people as well as family members of patients who have been helped, and just want to give back. "When you see all of the tournament's volunteers in one big group, you realize it takes a lot of people to get big things done," Justin added.

"Health care is a hot topic right now, and here we are, talking about free healthcare for anyone under 18. My goal is to start growing this tournament into a tradition blending charity, the game of golf and entertainment," Justin concluded.

You can find out more about Shriners HERE.

Also, you can follow the Shriners Hospital for Children on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

As for more on the tournament? Stay tuned to Justintimberlake.com or check out JTshrinersopen.com!

Touring is hard: the sleep deprivation, the stinky venues, the cramped conditions, the long drives and most of all, the lack of homely conveniences.

It's no wonder that bands become terribly resourceful on the road in an attempt to make their lives easier. Take The Dø for example. Frontwoman Olivia B. Merilahti has learned to slice up flying fruit using only the power of her guitar strings! Take that, oranges!

Okay, okay. We might have just made all of that up, but we really do wish fruit dissection was that fun (though we are relieved that it doesn't play as big a part in the dating process as the video for "At Last!" would suggest).

The Dø (that's pronounced "doe" by the way... as in "do-re-mi-fa-sol-la-ti-do") hail from a romantic combination of Paris, France (bassist, keyboardist and flautist, Dan Levy) and Helsinki, Finland (vocalist, guitarist and keyboardist, Olivia) and we're loving their laid back and wistful Euro-infused, folk-pop wondrousness. Olivia's adorable vocal stylings remind us of another sweet Scandinavian, Nina Persson of The Cardigans.

The duo's debut full-length, A Mouthful (currently available on import here, it finally gets an official US digital release next month), went straight to the top of the French album charts when it was released there last year and has been making waves all over Europe ever since.

That means, fellow Americans, that we're currently playing catch up.

So you heard it here first: don't miss out on The Dø.

Photo by André Gabb (dre.viewbook.com)

(Photo: Mark Davis)

Justin Timberlake Shriners Open kicked off with blue sky and a stream of happy, giggling children devoted to learning how to golf. Hundreds of children and parents came to TPC Summerlin yesterday to learn some swing techniques from hosts Justin Timberlake and famous coach Butch Harmon, best known for being Tiger Wood's golf coach. Who was also on hand to help? Pitcher Greg Maddux, Pro golfer Nick Watney, long drive world champion Mike Dobbyn and Shriners ambassador, Katie Walker. Check out the action below:

Kids practicing on the range.

Katie Walker on left; Mike Dobbyn on right demonstrating pro form golf swings.

19-year-old Katie, who was born missing her left tibia, is a living inspiration: At 1 years old, she was a patient at Shriners Hospitals for Children - Los Angeles and has endured countless surgeries since. She's now an ambassador for JT Shriners and a living inspiration for all as she golfs triumphantly despite having only one leg. (More info on Katie at Las Vegas Golf now.)

Justin picking out a couple of special volunteers.

Justin helping out lil friend with his first golf swing.

Not only was the 3-year old R.J super cute.....but he also managed to hit the ball impressively far for his little stature!

Golf coach Butch leading the way (in purple pullover) - in front of Justin and children.

Mike Dobbyn (or as Justin calls him - "a bear") showing his record-making long drive style.

If only we had recorded the swoosh sound that came with this shot. Goose bump worthy.

The whole crew from left to right: Nick Watney, Justin in stripes, Shriner's ambassador Katie Walker, Butch Harmon in purple pullover, Mike Dobbyn and former Atlanta Braves' pitcher Greg Maddux. (Photo: Mark Davis)

Justin chatting with Mike Dobbyn, the world long drive record holder.

Fun fact about Greg Maddux (on right)? He was the first pitcher in major league history to win the Cy Young Award for four consecutive years. Plus, he's the only pitcher to ever win 15 games for 17 straight seasons. And he's a fantastic golfer. Impressive!

Justin with a fan (Photo: Mark Davis).

Justin signing autographs... and inspirational words to a wounded fan.

The sign of the end of a good lesson? Smiling kids.

Justin with Teen Nick Halo Award winner, Leah Stoltz. (More info on Newsday.)

Justin proved yesterday what he has said earlier about his participation at this tournament:

"I am there to have fun. It’s for the kids."

(Photo: JT Shriners)

Later in the afternoon, the volunteers all met on the hill to toast to a good day.

The tournament itself begins today and will host a handful of celebrity participants, including Kenny G, Smokey Robinson, and Alice Cooper. Stay tuned to Justintimberlake.com for more day-to-day updates this week.

Photos: Faith-Ann Young, JT Shriners, and Mark Davis courtesy of PGA Archive.

More info: JTshrinersopen.com

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