Star-filled night kicks off Turn 2 event

Jeter's Celebrity Golf Classic begins with launch party

Chris Girandola / Special to MLB.com

Actor Morgan Freeman joins Derek Jeter at the launch party as part of the 2008 Turn 2 Foundation's Tropical Getaway. (Preston Mack/MLB.com)

01/26/2008 10:00 PM ET

• Photos from the event

TAMPA, Fla. -- Derek Jeter did not hold back this year in hosting the launch party for the fifth annual Derek Jeter Celebrity Golf Classic. The Yankees All-Star shortstop held this year's event at the Yacht StarShip on Saturday night to kick off the start of the Classic as a part of the Turn 2 Foundation's Tropical Getaway.

While the weather brought a bit of some rain, Jeter made sure to lighten the mood as he welcomed guests on board once they arrived.

"Hopefully, this rain will hold off and we'll be able to enjoy the night," said Jeter in front of the massive yacht that was docked alongside the Channelside port in Tampa, Fla. "As long as we have most of our guests here, which appears we do, then everything else is just an added bonus."

Jeter welcomed celebrity guests such as Morgan Freeman and John Legend as a part of his charitable event. The Turn 2 Foundation, established in 1996, has awarded more than $8 million in grants to create and support signature programs and activities that motivate young people to choose healthy lifestyles.

"Oh yeah, this is definitely a part of it," Morgan Freeman said, in a tongue-in-cheek reference to the movie, "The Bucket List," which he stars in with Jack Nicholson. "This and trying to get my golf score below 90."

All kidding aside, Freeman and others were very appreciative to be a part of an event that has grown exponentially over the short period.

"It's been an amazing journey," Jeter said. "I never knew it would get to a point like this where we would have the participation of such amazing people that we do. It keeps growing and I'm proud to be a part of this."

The event on Saturday night is a prelude to the auction dinner on Sunday night. On Monday, Jeter will host his golf classic at the Avila Country Club in Tampa.

In addition to Legend and Freeman, Jeter expects Michael Jordan, Annika Sorrenstam, Allan Houston, Andruw Jones and Warren Sapp, among others, to join him on the links.

"It's very special for us as a family to be able to get so many prominent people to come together and raise money for Derek's foundation," Sharlee Jeter, Derek's sister, said. "The foundation's grown so much and it's been so wonderful and unbelievable to see where it's come from 15 years ago."

Jeter's friends and fellow celebrities enjoyed an evening of cocktails, dancing, and a special performance by Legend as a part of the launch party. Guests will continue the festivities as a part of the fundraiser on Sunday and Monday.

"It's always something special when you can do something to give back," Legend said.

Through ventures like this, the Foundation strives to raise money to give back to children in a productive way. The money is used to create outlets for children to achieve academic excellence, develop leadership skills and remain drug and alcohol free. These programs all share the same goal of helping today's youth become the leaders of tomorrow.