THE CROWD:

In the early morning hours last Saturday one of the world’s most famous athletes walked on to the greens of the Mesa Verde Country Club in Costa Mesa. Tiger Woods, golfer extraordinaire, joined fellow stars John Cook, Fred Couples and a field of enthusiastic local players for a day of golf and philanthropy that would raise more than $1 million for programs supported by the Tiger Woods Learning Center.

Approximately 10 years ago Tiger Woods and his late father Earl Woods and mother Kultida joined together to do something significant for less-fortunate kids.

The concept was to create learning centers that would provide opportunities for young people not considered part of the mainstream to find their own path to a successful future through hands-on mentoring and experience that would turn on that light bulb in the heart and minds of youth.

Last Saturday evening at the Grove in Anaheim, following the day of golf, Tiger told the audience that from a slow beginning, the Learning Center in 10 years’ time has mentored some 15,000 youth.

Dressed in a loose-fitting, black-and-white-striped dress shirt, tails out, the champion of the golf world sauntered on to the stage unannounced, while the president of his foundation rattled off statistics associated with the Learning Center.

Tiger interrupted politely, leaned into the microphone and said, “Stanford 24, USC 23.” He turned and left the stage as the crowd went wild with disbelief.

Woods attended Stanford University. This was the beginning of a spirited night in Orange County, raising big bucks for a big cause supported by a host of celebrities from the Hollywood community as well as the athletic world. It was the third annual event at the Grove of Anaheim to benefit the Tiger Woods Learning Center.

Championed by two prominent Newport Beach couples Sally and Randy Crockett, and Lori and Brian Hirth, the crowd turned out in full force with wallets open, ready to bid generously on the live auction that was absolutely a stunner.

The hoopla began as Teri Hatcher, the beautiful star of the ABC TV series “Desperate Housewives,” warmed up the crowd for the auctioneer to inspire people to donate enormous sums for travel itineraries related to national sporting and entertainment events.

Big-ticket items included a VIP Grammy Awards package hosted by James “Jimmy Jam” Harris III, chairman of the National Recording Arts and Sciences Academy’s board. Jimmy Jam was on hand to up the ante, raising an astounding $38,000.

Throughout the auction, hostess Sally Crockett, seated front and center, wearing a sleeveless black sequined cocktail outfit, jumped up and down in her seat, encouraging the generous participants to up the bidding. Her unbridled enthusiasm worked magic.

The highlight of the evening was raising $145,000 from a bidder for two tickets to the 2008 Masters Tournament. No, Tiger was not going to take them with him and play with them. Couples, though, came up on stage and offered to fly them to Augusta and play with the winning bidder the Sunday before the event. That got them bidding.

Couples said, “When Tiger gets to be my age, I’m sure he will do this for someone else. It’s an honor to support the Tiger Woods Learning Center.”

The Grove was packed to the rafters with upward of 1,000 guests in attendance.

The food was incredible, prepared and catered by the gifted Giada de Laurentiis of Food Network and “Today” show fame. Dinner began with a fresh tomato and goat cheese strata followed by an entrée of filet mignon and ricotta manicotti.

Platters of succulent grilled vegetables and fresh baked breads were passed. For dessert, there was a superb Italian delicacy in the form of a zuccotto mini dome cake with raspberry coulis. Espresso brownies were passed along with citrus-flavored biscotti and lemoncello cheesecake squares.

Following dinner, Grammy-winning artist John Mayer got the crowd cheering. Superstars, including Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, joined him.

The evening was dedicated to champion honoree Thomas McKernan, chief executive of the Automobile Club of Southern California.

Major support for the party came from Pam and Tom Bender, Marta and Raj Bhathal, Mike McKee, Don and DeeDee Sodaro, Ellen and Harold Pazanti, Harriett and Sandy Sandu, and a host of local business partners including Deutsche Bank, Target, Buick and American Express

With all of this incredible food and entertainment the true highlight of the evening was the appearance of a dozen kids who came on stage as testament to the life-changing effects of Tiger Woods Learning Center.

One young lady had the crowd in the palm of her hands sharing her personal story about finding belief in herself and going to college when she never thought she could do it. Woods said, “After 9/11 I asked myself if I had done enough in this world. The answer was no. I am working on making a difference one kid at a time.”

THE CROWD runs on Thursdays and Saturdays.