LAS VEGAS, Sept. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The 11th Annual Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational (MJCI), hosted by ARIA Resort & Casino at Shadow Creek, returns to Las Vegas for the second consecutive year March 29-April 1, 2012.  Tickets are now on sale for one of celebrity golf's most popular events, giving fans the opportunity to watch four days of competition with some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment.  

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(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110914/LA68782-b)

"ARIA and Shadow Creek are incredibly proud to welcome the return of the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational to Las Vegas," said Bill McBeath, ARIA's president and COO.  "We loved opening Shadow Creek to the public for the first time earlier this year for this spectacular tournament and very much look forward to welcoming back Michael, his fans and his celebrity guests.  Most importantly, we are honored to be a part of an event that raises money for a variety of important charitable organizations."

Since its inception in 2001, the tournament has raised nearly $6 million for charities including Make-A-Wish Foundation, Nevada Cancer Institute, James R. Jordan Foundation and Cats Care, the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats' charity arm.  This past April, the four-day tournament and celebration boasting incredible parties, A-list entertainment and competitive golf, included celebrity and sports-star appearances by Jordan, Drew Brees, Wayne Gretzky, Ken Griffey, Jr., Anthony Anderson, Jerome Bettis, Roger Clemens, Larry David, Julius Erving, Jamie Foxx, Janet Jones-Gretzky, Kevin Hart, Brett Hull, Toby Keith, Toni Kukoc, Spike Lee, Mario Lemieux, Mike Piazza, and Alan Thicke, among others.

Michael Jordan said, "Last year's event was a fun-filled, exciting weekend for not only me, but for our guests, partners and fans.  Bill and his entire resort team at ARIA provided service throughout the weekend that was second-to-none and I, of course, can't pass up playing golf at Shadow Creek.  I'm looking forward to another successful Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational in 2012 and am hopeful to raise even more money next year for the participating charities."

This year's MJCI is scheduled to kick off Wednesday, March 28 at ARIA with a welcome reception presented by Jordan Brand.  The first of two rounds of the Celebrity-Amateur tournament, which pairs one celebrity with four amateur participants, will take place Thursday, March 29 at Shadow Creek.  The final round of the Celebrity-Amateur will take place Friday, March 30.

The MJCI two-person, 36-hole scramble format tournament begins Saturday, March 31 and includes only the competing celebrities.  The second and final round of the MJCI will be played Sunday, April 1.  Additional festivities and special events surrounding the Saturday and Sunday competition, as well as celebrity participants, will be announced in the near future.

Tickets are on sale and available at all 10 MGM Resorts box offices, Concierge desks, and online at www.arialasvegas.com, www.mjcigolf.com and www.shadowcreek.com.  Fans who wish to experience this exclusive event can purchase daily or weekly general admission tickets, as well as daily or weekly VIP passes.  VIP spectators will enjoy an unparalleled view of the course from the "M life VIP Deck," an open-air hospitality complex overlooking the par-5, 18th hole.

Prices are as follows:

Discounted tickets are available for military service members with valid identification, and Senior Citizens 65 years of age or older with valid ID; both groups will receive 25 percent off a daily or weekly general admission ticket.  Additionally, the tournament has created a special "Bring the Kids for Free" general admission ticket offer, which provides access to Shadow Creek for youth 16 years of age and younger when accompanied by a general admission ticketed adult (up to two children per paid adult).

For more information about the MJCI at ARIA at CityCenter, visit www.arialasvegas.com, www.MJCIgolf.com or call (877) 253-5847.

About ARIA Resort & Casino

The centerpiece of CityCenter, ARIA features an unprecedented combination of striking architecture, sustainable design, high-end service and spectacular amenities.  From Viva ELVIS™ by Cirque du Soleil, celebrating the life and legacy of Elvis Presley, and unique culinary offerings from the world's most talented chefs to innovative nightlife and spa offerings, ARIA embodies the excitement and vitality of Las Vegas.  Guests of the resort also enjoy the most technologically advanced guestrooms and premium meeting and convention space.  Combined with CityCenter's unparalleled amenities including the luxurious shopping at Crystals and the first-of-its-kind public Fine Art Collection, ARIA introduces a new generation of resort experiences, unlike anything Las Vegas, and more remarkably the world, has ever seen.  For more information about ARIA, please visit www.arialasvegas.com.

About Shadow Creek

Perennially ranked among Golf Week magazine's Top 10 courses, Shadow Creek's special environment is normally reserved solely for guests of MGM Resorts International.  Located in the midst of the barren Nevada desert, the Tom Fazio-designed Shadow Creek makes golfers feel they've been transported to another world with its natural beauty, rolling terrain, glistening brooks and ponds, spectacular waterfalls, lush gardens and mature trees.

SOURCE ARIA Resort & Casino