By Special to the Town Crier

The U.S. Open may have had Tiger Woods, but the upcoming El Camino Heritage Invitational Golf Tournament will have a star of its own.

Professional golfer Matt Kuchar - considered a PGA “young gun” and winner of the 2002 Honda Classic - will join golfers at Monday’s tournament, at the Palo Alto Hills Golf and Country Club.

All 144 spots in the annual event have been sold.

Kuchar will take an active role at the tournament, according to El Camino spokesperson Judy Twitchell. He will meet and greet players, sign autographs, pose for pictures and help players with their swings, drives and putts.

The tournament, set to begin at noon, is hosted by the El Camino Hospital Foundation and benefits community programs such as the RotaCare Clinic and the Health Resource Center.

Last year’s event raised more than $114,000 for these programs, according to Twitchell.