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"IF IT'S NOT IN SKIER NEWS, IT'S NOT IMPORTANT." ™
PLAN
to ATTEND THIS YEAR'S PREMIER, FUN, CELEBRITY-FILLED EVENT - JULY 14-19, 2009
RICK
RHODEN WINS AGAIN
SKIER
NEWS photo -Lorie Leonardi
RHODEN
HELD OFF ALL CHALLENGERS
TO
CAPTURE THE $125,000 1st PLACE PRIZE
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down or link here to article.
CELEBRITIES & ATHLETES LINED-UP for
The 2008 AMERICAN CENTURY CHAMPIONSHIP
SKIER
NEWS photo
MARCUS
ALLEN (NFL Great) & ALPHONSO RIBEIRO (TV's FRESH PRINCE Show)
As
"The American Century Championship" got underway, night time means the party
continues at Harrah's in Lake Tahoe.
In
an impromtu get together the pair sang and entertained the crowd with Harrah's mainstay Arthur
Hervey.
Hockey Great WAYNE GRETZKY also
participated,
joining outstanding NHL legend, and 1998
winner MARIO LEMIEUX.
GRETZKY
and LEMIEUX POSE BEFORE PLAYING
TOGETHER
ON THE FINAL DAY, Sunday, July 13.
SKIER
NEWS' photo, Dave Leonardi
July
11, 2008 was Charles Barkley Day in Lake Tahoe
at
The American Century Championship
SKIER
NEWS photo
Receiving an award from the
Mayor of South Lake Tahoe, Mike Weber, Charles Barkley is congratulated and thanked for his
$100,000 contribution to last year's Angora Fire Fund. (See below for more.)
Later
Friday night, Barkley told the crowd gathered at Harrah's that he was donating another
$100,000 this year.
2008's Opening Day of the American Century Golf Championship was followed by the 3rd Annual Korbel Long-Drive Competition.
This year's Long-Drive event was won by former Cleveland Indian, Kenny Lofton.
Lofton, on the right, receives a magnum of Korbel Champagne from Korbel President Gary Heck. .
SKIER
NEWS' photo - Lorie Leonardi
THANK
YOU FIREFIGHTERS
SKIER
NEWS' photo, Dave Leonardi
Charles Barkley
poses for the SKIER NEWS' camera at his 2007 "Thank You" party for the Lake
Tahoe fire crews.
With Barkley, from left to right, are Bryce
Cranch, Jeff Peterson, Barkley, Dave Hekhuis and Ben Pratt.
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.
July 11, 2008 - Charles Barkley has done it again. From Harrah's
stage last night Sir Charles told the audience he was going to donate another $100,000 to the
Angora Fire relief fund.
Last year, in 2007,
Charles Barkley, the NBA great who had 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 June 2007 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 (7-15-07) broadcast of the tournament.
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| 2008 - RICK RHODEN WINS AGAIN Rhoden captures
his seventh  SKIER NEWS' photo, Dave Leonardi Rick Rhoden tees off to begin his title day. South Lake Tahoe, CA/NV -- Rick Rhoden, former MLB pitcher, held on to his day two lead to capture the 2008 American Century Championship with a Stableford score of +70. Rhoden, who rebounded from a bad shot from the 18th tee, salvaged the victory with a near-perfect second shot from the rough and on to the green a few feet from the cup. He beat NHL star Dan Quinn by two points with Quinn scoring a +68. The Stableford scoring method awards positive
points for better play. A hole-in-one is worth +8; an Eagle +6 points down to a
doulbe-bogey -2 points. Therefore, unlike PGA play, the highest score wins. WAYNE GRETZKY, (Actress) JANET JONES GRETZKY and GRANT FUHR. Posing before teeing off to start their Day One round.  SKIER NEWS' photo, Dave Leonardi A thinner Charles Barkley once again finished
dead last with a -81. Sir Charles, a local Tahoe favorite for his generosity to fire
fighters and the 2007's fire victims (see related articles and photos) was 20 points
behind Denver Broncos QB, Jay Cutler (-61). Actor/comedian Kevin Nealon was third from the
bottom with a -49. The 2009 American Century Championship,
tevlevised on NBC and ESPN, will take place at the Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course from July 14
to July 19. |
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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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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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