Tiger Woods auction demands big bucks
To the highest bidder on eBay goes a round of golf with last year's Masters champion. But to get on to the green, you've got to show some pretty big green of your own.
The golf great is offering to play a round of golf with the winner of the auction and three of the winner's friends sometime later this year at his home course in Windermere, Fla. The proceeds from the auction, which is on eBay, will go to Woods' charitable foundation, which supports community-based youth programs.
The auction could prove pricey for the winner. Bidding on the round of golf started Thursday at $100,000. And to even make an offer, prospective bidders are being required to put down a deposit of $50,000.
"Imagine 18 holes with the youngest golfer ever to achieve the career Grand Slam," the foundation said in its auction advertisement. "Ask questions; get putting and driving tips, iron advice, course insights and much more. Live your dream! It doesn't get any better than this."
Representatives for eBay and the Tiger Woods Foundation did not return calls seeking comment Friday.
The round of golf with Woods is only the latest high-profile online auction. Late last month, three of the new Segway Human Transporters sold on Amazon.com's auction site for more than $100,000 each, far above their expected asking price of $3,000 when they go on sale to the general public later this year. Last fall, "Star Wars" creator George Lucas offered some authentic props and collectible items from the movie series on eBay as part of eBay's Auction for America charity campaign.
Unlike most auctions on eBay and last month's Segway auction, not just anyone can bid on the round of golf with Woods. Instead, the Tiger Woods Foundation is requiring prospective bidders to preregister with Transrow, a company that verifies bidders, before they can make an offer. In addition to the $50,000 deposit, Transrow is requiring bidders to provide their occupation, an authorization for a credit report, and credit or banking references.
"To preserve the integrity of this exclusive auction, bids will not be accepted until each bidder has been verified," the foundation said in its auction listing. "Verification and qualification of bidders protects all parties involved against fraudulent bids and claims posted during this auction."
Transrow office manager James Tenorio declined to say how many people have signed up to bid on the auction. "It has generated a lot of interest," Tenorio said.
The auction ends April 14. The foundation is also auctioning a pin flag from last year's Masters tournament, which Woods won. Bidding on that auction, which also ends April 14, has reached $3,050 with 18 bids placed.