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"IF IT'S NOT IN SKIER NEWS, IT'S NOT IMPORTANT." ™
CHRIS
CHANDLER SETS COURSE RECORD TO WIN
CHRIS CHANDLER, Former NFL QB,
TAKES HOME $125,000 at
LAKE
TAHOE'S PREMIER SUMMER EVENT.
Out
of the sand and into the Winner's Circle,
Chris Chandler on the 18th Hole at Tahoe's
Edgewood Golf Course.
SKIER NEWS' photo, Dave Leonardi
After
three days in beautiful Tahoe weather, Rick Rhoden finished second, and
NHL
great Grant Fuhr ended in third place.
Celebrity Golfers Assist South Shore Fire Relief Efforts
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, NV/CA -- The American Century Championship announced that tournament fundraising efforts in 2007 are focusing on fire relief in the wake of the Angora Fire that impacted South Lake Tahoe residents for a week over late June/early July.
The tournament, the most prominent annual economic special event in the resort community since its inception in 1990, has already donated $25,000 to the special Raley’s Supermarket fund to benefit the American Red Cross—Sierra Nevada Chapter. Raley’s agreed to match up to $100,000 in donations – which has been achieved.
Other tournament initiatives include: a fundraising effort during the broadcast encouraging viewers to contribute to the fire relief fund for those 254 families who lost their homes.
A toll free number, 800-732-3100 and web site: www.HelpTahoe.com are available for those wishing to contribute.
SKIER NEWS' photo - Dave Leonardi, July 12, 2007
Lance Armstrong addresses the media concerning the Tahoe Fire Relief fund.
A cancer survivor, Armstrong made comparisons, "... the week before you have a fire, life is nornal, life is great there are no problems. Just like the week before a cancer diagnosis; and then all of a sudden something comes along and rocks your world."
Armstrong later presented a racing bike to 13-year-old Garrett Singer whose home and bike were destroyed in Tahoe's recent Angora Fire.
As life for
the residents slowly returns to normal, Tahoe's tourism industry in back in full swing with
happy beach go-ers, boaters and casino players.
NBC Sports aired a piece from the affected area with on-air reporter Jimmy Roberts and a few of the tournament’s celebrities with interviews of people who lost their homes. The telecast was shown during Sunday's live coverage of the golf event.
The celebrities who claim amateur status for the tournament will donate what they would have won during the three-day event to the fire fund.
A sports memorabilia auction was held at the pairings party on Wednesday evening with celebrities and guests bidding on various autographed items with proceeds to the fire relief fund.
Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course will also be donating all greens fees from Labor Day play on Monday, September 3.
Annually, the 54-hole, nationally televised tournament features big-name sports and entertainment celebrities, including Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Ladainian Tomlinson, Emmitt Smith, John Elway, Mario Lemieux, Ray Romano, Don Cheadle and many other sports and entertainment stars.
The event is sponsored by American Century Investments, a premier investment manager serving investment professionals, institutions, corporations and individual investors.
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CHRIS
CHANDLER WINS THE
2007 AMERICAN CENTURY GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
2007's Opening Day of the American Century Golf Championship was followed by the 2nd Annual Korbel Long-Drive Competition.
This year's Long-Drive event was won by former Chicago Bear QB Jim McMahon.
McMahon, on the left, receives a magnum of Korbel Champagne from Korbel President Gary Heck. .
SKIER NEWS' photo - Lorie Leonardi
LAKE
TAHOE FIRE VICTIMS GET $100,000 PLEDGE
FROM
NBA GREAT CHARLES BARKLEY ...
South Lake
Tahoe, CA/NV, July 14, 1:30 a.m. -- Charles Barkley, the NBA great who previously pledged to
donate $25,000 of his personal funds to Tahoe's recent fire victims, told a crowd of
party-goers and well-wishers at Harrah's in Lake Tahoe on Friday night (July 13) that after
touring the devastation of the recent Angora Fire near South Lake Tahoe, he has upped his
personal donation from the $25,000 to a whopping $100,000!
Barkley, who is a favorite
among the late-night party goers, often takes the stage at Harrah's during the American
Century Golf Championship. He surprised the crowd, which included tourists and locals alike,
with the announcement of his generous donation. His announcement was also made on a segment on
NBC's Sunday (7-15) broadcast of the tournament.
THANK
YOU FIREFIGHTERS
Charles
Barkley poses for the SKIER NEWS' camera at his "Thank You" party for the
Lake Tahoe fire crews.
Barkley treated the
hard-working men and their wives to an exclusive reception at Harvey's Cabo Wabo in South Lake
Tahoe.
The crews were responsible for containing the
recent Angora Fire that consumed several hundred homes in early July.
More photos
will be posted on our "AMERICAN
CENTURY CHAMPIONSHIP" web site.
SKIER
NEWS' photo, Dave Leonardi
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CHRIS CHANDLER SETS COURSE RECORD TO WIN Former NFL QB wins the 2007 American Century Championship with a one-round high score of 31 SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA/NV - After coming close for the past few years, Chris Chandler finally made his way into the Winner's Circle at The American Century Championship. Starting the day with a Stableford score of 47, four points behind leader Rick Rhoden, Chandler shot a 31 to break the old one-round record of 30. The event is held at Lake Tahoe's Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course on Nevada-California border. The tournament uses the Stableford method whereby the high score wins, a hole-in-one is worth 8 points, a double-bogey is -2. In a week that marked a celebration in the midst of recovery from the recent Angora Fire at Lake Tahoe that destroyed over 250 homes, firefighters were bigger celebrities than the stars who golfed. The town, as vibrant and as beautiful as ever was packed with tourists. Homemade signs adorned almost every business, thanking the people who extinguished the blaze. Charles Barkley added to the fire relief fund by personally donating $100,000 and hosting a dinner reception for the crews at Cabo Wabo on Saturday night. When the tournament ended, the firefighters thanked Barkley for his support with a "honorary fireman" certificate and Lake Tahoe Fire Department T-shirt. Chandler struggled through the 18th hole, see photo, but had a large enough lead to keep second place finisher Rick Rhoden at a distance. Rhoden finished with a +73 and would have needed a hole-in-one (8 points) on the 572 yard, par 5 final hole to get close. Grant Fuhr, NHL goalie great, finished third with a +70. Chandler gets $125,000 for his victory, Rhoden $60,000 and Fuhr takes home $35,000. Fourth-place finisher Mark Rypien received $25,000 for his efforts and Day One leader Billy Joe Tolliver earned $20,000. The event is a fun-filled week of enjoyment as some once-competitive athletes and popular comedians combine on the golf course to entertain the fans. This year's crowd was another record breaker with 28,004 paid attendees. It broke last year's record by 692 patrons. Boaters also moored their craft adjacent to the lakeside tee-to-green 17th hole to add more spectators. At the bottom, at 78, of the pack was Charles Barkley, with a score of -94. Cheech Marin, was 77th at -67, Lou Holtz was 76th, Brandi Chastain 75th and Kevin Nealon was 74th. Actor Don Cheadle, who probably set a tournament record for signing autographs, finished 73rd with a -44. For information on Lake Tahoes, visit: www.BlueLakeTahoe.com. For more information on the American Century Championship, go to www.tahoecelebritygolf.com. ### |
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TAHOE'S AMERICAN CENTURY CHAMPIONSHIP The 2007 Event Promises Something for Everyone By Dave Leonardi Pick your favorite athlete, pick your favorite celebrity and pick Tuesday, July 10, to Sunday, July 16, to see them all at the premier celebrity golf event in the world, the American Century Championship. It will be held again at the beautiful Tahoe Edgewood Golf Course on Lake Tahoe's south shore. The fan friendly events occur on July 10-12; on these days you can bring your camera and get "up close" with the celebrities. The "money game" begins on Friday, July 13, and cameras and autographs are banned. The $100,000 first-place prize was won last year by actor and recording artist, Jack Wagner. Coming in second was 2005 winner and former NFL quarterback Billy Joe Tolliver, he took home $50,000. Both are returning for 2007. This is the "Super Bowl of Celebrity Sports" and the events' home page claims it to be the "best destination vacation event in the USA." Come for the day or stay a few nights, either way it is bound to be an enjoyable time. About 80 pro athletes and entertainers get together for five days of fun and competitive golf. Most players are PGA rated and take home part of the $600,000 purse, including the first place $100,000 prize. Most of the non-rated players, about 10 each year, donate their winnings to charity. Tickets for the event are $10 each day for July 10-12; these are great days for autographs and photos. On tournament days, July 13-15, tickets are $20. A Season Pass, good for all days Tuesday through Sunday, is $50 per person. In 2006, more than 27,000 spectators entered the gates for the event. The "serious" golfers are there to play. Rick Rhoden ('03 winner and frequent senior event qualifier) will return this year, Dan Quinn (winner in '04) as well as other past champions of the event will also return. Rhoden is coming off a recent seven shot victory in the Toyota Celebrity Classic at Morgan Run this past April. However, most of the participants are there to enjoy the fans, the beautiful scenery Lake Tahoe has to offer and each other's friendship. For them, this is a more of a fun time than a serious game. Last season Anthony Anderson emerged as the "event comedian." Anderson sang at night on Harrah's Casino Center Stage and wore a kilt on the last day of competition, . Also joining Tahoe's ultimate entertainer Arthur Hervey on Harrah's Stage was Chris Webber, Mark Rypien and Digger Phelps. The stage usually is packed with celebs nightly, who take turns on the mike to the delight of the casino players and passers-by. NFL great and "Dancing with the Stars" winner, Emmitt Smith as well as NFL great, and dancer, Jerry Rice can also be found there. Last year's event also featured comedian Ray Romano who is scheduled to return. Also returning are hockey greats Mario Lemieux ('98 winner) and Brett Hull, Olympic skier Bode Miller, from the NFL Herman Edward and Ben Roethlisberger, from the current NHL Jeremy Roenick and Joe Sakic. Also attending will be retired running back Tiki Barber and his twin brother Rhonde, defensive back for Tampa Bay. Others in the field of 80-plus personalities include everyone from LaDainian Tomlinson and Donald Trump to former Vice-President, Dan Quayle. Additions to this year's line-up include; singer/actor Meat Loaf, NFL announcer Al Michaels, comedian Chris Tucker, NFL great Jerome Bettis, and current Dallas QB Tony Romo. Lance Armstrong will also be on hand on Thursday to play and promote his "Livestrong Foundation." Here are some tips to help you enjoy the event: Expect to be screened: Participants in the event are the best in their field whether they are active or retired. Many have personal bodyguards and the good guys of the Douglas County Sheriffs Department are ever present. Parking is outside of the golf course and all entrants must pass through a screening gate. Dress for comfort: Wearing flip-flops or high-heels can be painful. Wear sneakers, you will be walking more than you can imagine over varying terrain. Comfortable footwear will make it more enjoyable, especially later in the evening when it is dinner and gaming time at Tahoe's new MontBleu Resort, Casino & Spa or at Harrah's. Remember the altitude: The Lake level is 6,200 feet so you should drink plenty of water to help acclimate. Use sunscreen and sunglasses, a hat will help protect against the stronger rays that are prevalent at higher altitudes. Buy a program: It contains all the info you need for the event including celebrity bio's and a page for autographs. Watch the ball: There are good players and there are many others who are not. It is easier to be conked than at a PGA event. Pick a fun group to follow: Last year's best jokester was Anthony Anderson. Kevin Nealon always is fun to watch, also. And with the addition of Chris Tucker this year, you may need to bring some duct tape to hold your sides together. Watch the Long-Drive Championship: This fun event is scheduled for Friday, July 13 at 4:15 on the First Tee. Some golfers will do anything to win the event, which includes distracting and joking during their opponents' back swing. Make a point to visit the 17th Tee: This is a Par 3, 201-yard hole and if you find a good location you can see all the action from tee to green. Last year, 2006, NBC positioned cameras and interviewers to catch the stars as they were one hole away from finishing the event. With the Lake level high, many boaters were able to anchor along the course and several boaters were recipients of NFL footballs signed by the many QB's that played in the event. This year (2007) NBC plans more activities and fun events for the onlookers, please see photos below.
Go to a casino at night: The players play at the tables and they dance at Harrah's Casino Center Stage lounge, either on the floor or on the stage. Some, as mentioned above, sing with Arty. You can always count on Marcus Allen and Charles Barkley to continue their tradition of adding to the on-stage fun at night. Plan a side trip: Tahoe has an array of accommodations and places to sightsee during your stay. Heavenly Ski Resort, which overlooks the course, has a gondola that is accessible one block from Harrah's. Take Heavenly's Gondola for fantastic views of the Lake and get out at the Observation Deck on the way up. From the deck, you will find breathtaking views of all of Lake Tahoe and among which are the Desolation Wilderness area, Cave Rock, Carson City and the Tallac Cross. All sites are easily found with markers pointing the way. Then continue to the top of the ride where you will find food, a climbing wall and moderate to serious hiking trails. There are also many other hiking trails, with varying degrees of difficulty that can be found all around the 72-mile lakefront. The First Round will be covered (tape delay) on ESPN on Friday, July 13 from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. PDT, 7-9 p.m. EDT. NBC will provide live coverage of the Second Round on Saturday from 1-3 p.m. PDT, 4-6 p.m. EDT. NBC will also have expanded live coverage of the Final Round on Sunday from Noon-3 p.m. PDT, 3-6 p.m. EDT. As you have read, there are a vast array of famous participants and activities that provide something for everyone. You can find updated player lists and other tournament info at: www.tahoecelebritygolf.com ### |
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JACK WAGNER WINS the 2006 AMERICAN CENTURY CHAMPIONSHIP CHRIS WEBBER BEATS BARKLEY AGAIN SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, NV - Although it is a long weekend of golf and fun alongside beautiful Lake Tahoe on the Nevada/California border, the $100,000 first-place prize for the serious side of the event was won by Actor, Jack Wagner who finished with 70 points. (Stableford scoring method, please see last paragraph.) Wagner was followed by last year's winner, (Former NFL QB) Billie Joe Tolliver, 69 points. Tolliver was in the lead after the first two rounds, and was on track to win the third round when his game began to struggle. Wagner began playing a relaxed game to take and keep the lead on the 18th hole. The event broke attendance records for the second straight year with 27,402 spectators over the event, plus non-paying boaters who lined the Tahoe shoreline for a free view of the event. NBC-TV provided NFL footballs for players to sign and toss to the crowds in the boats. The boaters were able to get close to the course due to a higher lake level, a result of record February and March snow fall that made for a great ending to Tahoe's ski season. Once again, with a $50,000 challenge between the two "golfers", Chris Webber beat Charles Barkley to finish slightly higher in Lake Tahoe's American Century Championship. With the Stableford scoring system, players are awarded (plius) points for Par and above; zero for a Bogey; and minus 2 points for a Double Bogey. Webber scored -71, high enough to beat Barkley who finished with a -78. The pair golfed together all three days of the event and finished the tournament with LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Charger All-Pro Running Back. Tomlinson finished with a -52. As the challenge goes, Barkley owes Chris Webber $50,000 which will be used to help support C Webb's Foundation, which helps several charities. |
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CHRIS WEBBER WINS THE $50,000 CHALLENGE with CHARLES BARKLEY at the 2005 AMERICAN CENTURY CHAMPIONSHIP (View photo and caption from event.) By SKIER NEWS' Publisher, Dave Leonardi SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, NV -- July 17, 2005- It was all good fun and it is all for charity and now it is official. Chris Webber is less bad at golf than Charles Barkley. Both players had the very worst scores at the American Century Championship over the years. Webber did it in the standard scoring format, with a single round "low" in the 134 range. Barkley did it in the new "modified Stableford" scoring the method that gives "plus" points for good play, three points for a birdie, one point for par, no points for a bogey, and -2 points for a double-bogey. Barkley's previous "low" was -79. This year the final scores were Webber at -76 and Barkley at -84. The two finished 79 and 80 out of 81 golfers. Coming in last was "Everyone Loves Raymond" actor-comedian Brad Garrett (-87), who also golfed with the Philly guys on Saturday, July 16, 2005. Garrett's TV brother, Ray Romano was a little more prolific, scoring +6, finishing in a tie for 60 with San Diego Chargers' wide-receiver, Keenan McCardell. Finishing just above Webber was former Charlie's Angel, actress Cheryl Ladd (-60). Other fan favorites, but low-finishers, were "Hotel Rwanda" actor Don Cheadle in 75th place, tied with Kevin Nealon, at -50. Donald Trump, playing the second year in a row, finished almost half-way in the pack in 42nd place with +26. Current American skiing sensation Bode Miller ended in a tie with dapper-dancer (and Seinfeld's J. Peterman) John O'Hurley in 56th place with +8. As for the "Challenge," Sir Charles humbly and laughingly proclaimed "The better man won!" Webber said the $50,000 he will receive from Barkley will be split up between several charities and added "a lot of kids will be helped and the best part about it is I get to go to the kids and say this is all because of Barkley. So everybody is going to love and laugh have a good time." Conceding that neither he nor Charles had a chance to win the tournament he added, "We came up with our own little championship and I won so I am happy about that." Also happy were the many Sacramento-based spectators who visited the event to cheer "C-Webb" (former Sacramento King) as will be the charities that receive the donations. The event completed its 16th year at the Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in beautiful Lake Tahoe. Some of the other NBA stars attending were Ray Allen (+18), Jason Kidd (-12), Vinnie Del Negro (+42) and Michael Jordan (+30). Most players are PGA rated and received prize dollars, a portion of the dollars the amateurs would have received goes to charity. Third place was claimed by perennial favorite and 2003 winner Rick Rhoden. Rhoden took home $30,000 with a +71. Cleveland Browns' QB Trent Dilfer finished second with +72 and received a check from American Century for $50,000. NHL Alumnus Dan Quinn finished in a tie with former NFL place kicker Al Del Greco for sixth place. Quinn won the event in 1999, 2001, 2002 and 2004, Del Greco won it in 2000. Former NFL quarterback Billy Joe Tolliver, who won in 1996, finished first in the serious side of the event, taking home the $100,000 prize by scoring +76, perhaps in "honor " of the former 76er Barkley, and current Sixer, Webb. ### |
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N.H.L. ALUMNUS DAN QUINN WINS the 2004 AMERICAN CENTURY CHAMPIONSHIP By SKIER NEWS' Publisher, Dave Leonardi SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, NV -- July 18, 2004 -- NBC must have a flair for predicting the closeness of the final round of its nationally televised celebrity golf event, the American Century Championship. The three leaders after two rounds, Billy Joe Tolliver (QB Texas Tech and NFL), Rick Rhoden (MLB Pitcher) and former Senator, Penguin, Flame and Flyer Dan Quinn were grouped. It came down to the 18th hole for Quinn to capture a one-point lead over last year's winner Rhoden. The one "point" is due to the Stableford scoring system that gives "plus" points for good play, three points for a birdie, two points for par, etc.) On eighteen Rick Rhoden would have had to eagle putt to capture the title, but it was former Flyer Dan Quinn who tapped in for birdie and the $100,000 first place check. Quinn has now won three out of the last four Championships held at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course. Both Rhoden and Quinn shot 4 under par rounds of 68, but it was Quinn's 7 birdies that gave him the victory in the Stableford format with +74 points. Rhoden received a check for $50,000 for his second place finish with +73 points. Quinn won the title in 1992, after his first year with the Flyers and three times since his NHL 1997 retirement, in 2001, 2002, and 2004. Quinn was with the Flyers in 91-92 and again in 95-96. Former Philadelphia Flyer, Jeremy Roenick started well on Friday and finished on the leader board with a +17. Quinn was +25 and Rhoden +23. J.R.'s Saturday result was not as encouraging and he was quick to joke after his Sunday round "There's nothing to talk about after the way I played today." Roenick finished 48th out of 79 participants with nine points. Former Sixer Charles Barkley finished last among non-amateurs in 76th place. Barkley was sandwiched between "The Apprentice" standouts Bill Rancic (-89 points) and Carolyn Kepcher (-79 points), while their boss Donald Trump finished 56th with -6 points. Among others with Philly connections: former Eagle QBs Jim McMahon (+41 points) ended 27th and Ron Jaworski finished in 63rd place. Quinn was not the only player with ice hockey connections. Grant Fuhr finished fifth (+63 points), Brett Hull 18th (+49 points), Pierre LaRouche 25th (+45 points), Mario Lemieux 32nd (+32points), Mike Eruzione 46th and Jeremy Roenick 49th. "The course is great, I didn't play very well, but I haven't been playing much so it's always disappointing when you don't do well," said the former New York Ranger and Penguin favorite. But after his second round when he increased from a +10 to a +33, Pierre quipped that his improvement was due to "just one more round of golf." In addition to LaRouche, Lemieux, Quinn and Rhoden, other Pittsburgh players were Steelers' QB's Tommy Maddox and Ben Roethlisberger. Maddox finished in 20th place with +47 and Roethlisberger ended 60th with -12. Quinn most likely won the competition because he played a ball off of a tree on Saturday (7-17). Rather than take a stroke and drop his ball nearby, he set his shot, bounced it off a tree and into play. He bent his nine-iron in the process and had to compensate all Sunday. Quinn described the American Century Championship as a premier celebrity golf event, "This is the Masters, British, U.S. Open, P.G.A. and Ryder Cup all in one, everything. This is celebrity golf at its best. Lake Tahoe is beautiful, the Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course is spectacular and the people here have really embraced the event." Spectators also had opportunities to get autographs from the likes of Michael Jordan (+49 points), Trump, NFL co-MVP Peyton Manning (+11 points), comedian Kevin Nealon, John O'Hurley ("Seinfeld" character J. Peterman) and "The Bachelor" Jesse Palmer. ### |
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