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"IF
IT'S NOT IN SKIER NEWS... IT'S NOT
IMPORTANT." TM
NBC's AMERICAN CENTURY GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
REPORTS from LAKE TAHOE
from 2004 to
2013
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Section Contents - Articles to be found below - please scroll. |
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| Report
from the 2013 American Century Championship... BILLY
JOE TOLLIVER DEFEATS FELLOW RETIRED NFL QB MARK RYPIEN in SUDDEN-DEATH
PLAYOFF The event is
scored using the "Modified Stableford Scoring" method whereby
plus points are awarded for good play, points are deducted for bad play
and the highest score wins as explained here: Double Eagle 10 points •
Hole in one 8 points • Eagle 6 points • Birdie 3 points •
Par 1 point • Bogie 0 points • Double Bogie -2 pointsIt took three one-hole tries but Tolliver won his fourth American Century Championship following 1996, 2005 and 2010. KORBEL HOLE-IN-ONE COMPETITION WON BY SKIER BODE MILLER LARRY the CABLE GUY FINISHED LAST in 85th PLACE with -66; OLYMPIC LEGENDARY U.S. SKIER BODE MILLER WAS 47th with +17. SWIMMER MICHAEL PHELPS, 22 OLYMPIC MEDALS, 18 GOLD, FINISHED NEXT TO LAST with -65 pts. Click here for a complete 2013 Day 1, Friday, photo essay · Click here for a complete 2013 Day 2, Saturday, photo essay · Click here for a complete 2013 Day 3, Sunday, photo essay By
Dave Leonardi, SKIER NEWS Publisher SOUTH LAKE TAHOE/STATELINE, NV -- July 21, 2013 - With current NBA star Stephen Curry entering the final day in the lead, NFL retired QB's Mark Rypien tallied +22 points and Billy Joe Tolliver +25 points to tie for first place with 67 Stableford points. MLB retired, Mark Mulder finished in third with +66 with the third round's highest score of the day with a +28. Curry only totaled +17 Stableford points for the day to end in a tie with Chris Chandler, NFL retired, for fourth place with +64 points. After a tight field all morning with Curry and Jeremy Roenick, NHL retired, among the top contenders, the final leaders gradually emerged along the 14th hole. Tolliver, Mulder and Rypien played steady while the others faltered with bad shots that led to Bogey's where no Stableford points were awarded. This was the first time in Stableford scoring play, and the third time in the 23-year history of the event, that the winner was decided by a sudden death playoff. It took three times - three extra holes, played on 18 - for Tolliver to secure the win. Both golfers, ex-NFL Quarterbacks, struggled on the first two sudden-death attempts but finished each round even, with a par hole and then a birdie hole. They each also played into problems on the third sudden-death hole. Tolliver's first shot went too far right and out of bounds but he managed to get it back on to the course on his second attempt and on the green on his third shot. At the same time, Rypien's third shot went in a pond named Lake Laimbeer near the green and it was just about "game over." Rypien's penalty all but assured Tolliver's win who sank his putt to seal the victory. Stableford scoring penalizes bad play with negative scores: -2 points for a Double Bogey; 0 points for Bogey; +1 for Par; +3 for Birdie; +6 for Eagle; +8 for a Hole-in-One and +10 for a Double Eagle. The tournament was without its premier fan favorite and perennial last place finisher, Charles Barkley. Barkley tore a bicep and could not continue after an attempt at a practice round. Sir Charles maintained a presence at the event helping NBC's broadcast, signing autographs and appearing at Harrah's at night on-stage with entertainer, Arthur Hervey and several celebrity friends including Michael Phelps, Alfonso Ribeiro, Jerry Rice and Guy Fieri, a few pictured below.
The Golf Channel also sponsored the "The Big Break NFL Glass Break Charity Challenge" and had the celebrities breaking a glass pane with a golf shot. The event had two first place finishers when Stephen Curry and Joe Theismann tied, each breaking the glass pane in two seconds on their first shot. They will each receive $4,000 for a charity of their choice. The Charity Challenge will premiere as a web series on GolfChannel.com in September. In other fun events with the celebrities, Korbel sponsored a cork-off where corks on shaken bottles of champagne are gently eased out of the bottle in a distance challenge. Leaving his competition in the dust Miami Heat forward and twice NBA champ Shane Battier took top honors when his cork flew 100 feet when he popped the champagne bottle. Last year's winner, Dan Quinn - NHL retired, finished in 13th place with a +51. The 2011 winner, actor Jack Wagner, finished tied for 31st with actor Alfonso Ribeiro with +36 points. Rick Rhoden, MLB retired, who with eight American Century Championships, and who has won more than any player in the 24-year history of the event, finished on tenth place with +56. Tolliver will take home the winner's check for $125,000; Rypien will receive $60,000 for finishing second. Third place finisher Mark Mulder played as an amateur as well as fourth place finisher Stephen Curry. Their winnings will be donated to local Lake Tahoe area charities, as well as all who played with amateur status. The total purse was $600,000. Perhaps because Barkley, Tony Romo and Micheal Jordan out of the competition, the attendance fell by 1,793 from 2012's record crowd of 40,445. Yet, it still was the third best crowd with 38,652 reported at the end of the event. For information on Lake Tahoe, visit: www.TahoeSouth.com For more information on the American Century Championship, go to www.americancenturychampionship.com ### |
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| Report
from the 2012 American Century Championship...
DAN QUINN (NHL retired) WINS the 2012 AMERICAN CENTURY CHAMPIONSHIP THE
INAUGURAL KORBEL HOLE-IN-ONE COMPETITION PROVIDED NO WINNER,
By Dave Leonardi, SKIER NEWS Publisher SOUTH LAKE TAHOE/STATELINE, NV -- July 22, 2012 - On the day that Ernie Els won the British Open, one of Els' caddies, Dan Quinn, 14-year NHL veteran, won NBC's American Century Championship with a Stableford winning score of +66. Quinn's total was far below the top score posted in 2011 by actor Jack Wagner, who won with a Stableford +80. Many of this year's participants had problems on the greens as the three day event unfolded. Mark Rypien (NFL retired) finished second and John Elway ended in third. The American Century Championship, held at the beautiful Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in South Lake Tahoe, is played using the Stableford scoring method. The Stableford system awards positive points for better play. A Double-eagle awards the player +10 points; a Hole-in-one is worth +8; an Eagle +6 points; Birdie = +3; Par = +1; Bogey = 0; down to a Double-bogey -2 points. Therefore, unlike PGA play, the highest score wins. Also, unlike PGA play, you can lose points if you double bogey, so virtually no score is safe on a bad day. In the past two years Wagner, in 2011, had the lead wire-to-wire and Billie Joe Tolliver in 2010 recorded a +84 after running away with the event after the second day. The 2012 lead changed hands all three days with Saturday's leader Mark Rypien adding only +17 pts to his two-day total of +43 for the second place total of +60. Quinn's +26 on Sunday propelled him to his +66 victory. The $600,000 prize purse was divided among the 81 golfers who participated with Quinn taking the $125,000 first place winnings. Mark Rypien, in 2nd, received $60,000. Elway played with amateur status and his winnings, along with all amateur prize money, will be donated to local Tahoe charities. Billy Joe Tolliver, 2010 winner, finished in fourth for $25,000. Tony Romo the favorite, as handicapped by the host hotel/casino Harrah's, finished in 5th place. His winnings will also be donated to Lake Tahoe area charities. Rick Rhoden, the winningest American Century Tournament golfer had his third off year in a row. Wagner ended in 8th place winning $15,900; Rhoden finished in 9th place tied with John Smoltz, each took home only $13,800. Michael Jordan, amateur status, finished 28th; Olympic skiing great Bode Miller ended in 39th with $3,412; former VP, Dan Quayle, amateur status, finished 54th. In 55th was John O'Hurley with $1,815 tied with 1980 US Olympic Hockey Gold medal captain Mike Eruzione. Ray Romano, amateur status, was 64th tied with AJ Hawk and his new haircut. Hawk received $1,395 for his three days on the course. Jamie Moyer, MLB active, on assignment, played with amateur status and finished in 75th. This was the second time an active athlete in the middle of his season played in the event. His "on assignment" MLB status allows him to return during this 2012 season. Earlier this year Moyer became the oldest MLB player, at 49, to win in the major leagues. His victory came in April for the Colorado Rockies. John Smoltz participated while on rehab, in 2000. As a change of pace from the annual Korbel Long-Drive Competition, the makers of Korbel Champagnes changed formats and have begun a Hole-in-One challenge. The first player to get a 164-yard hole-in-one, shot on Edgewood Tahoe's beautiful 17th tee, would win $250,000, of which $125,000 would go to the Lake Tahoe Community College Foundation. In 2011, retired NHLer Joe Sakic hit a Hole-in-One on the 17th during competition, when the hole has a $1 million prize. John Elway was the closest to the pin hitting his shot just over six feet from the cup. As a consolation, Korbel donated $5,000 to the Foundation.
NBC's American Century Championship provides the spectators - as always - with the most recognizable field of players of any golf competition. The event features a number of very good golfers and a large number of fun celebrities and great athletes. Finishing last in 2012 was Javier Colon. Colon, who was the 2011 winner of NBC's "The Voice," did not finish and was technically listed as last, in 81st place. Actress/model Angie Everhart, in her first year of play, was +6 pts better than last place finisher and Tahoe's favorite adopted son, Charles Barkley. Everhart finished in 79th place with -75 and winning $1,020. Barkley was 80th with -89; Sir Charles plays with amateur status also. The 2012 attendance broke another five-day event record with reported figures of 40,455 and exceeded the 2011 totals of 40,156 by 299. The 2010 attendance number was 37,550. For information on Lake Tahoe, visit: www.TahoeSouth.com For more information on the American Century Championship, go to www.americancenturychampionship.com ### |
| Report
from the 2011 American Century Championship...
WIRE-to-WIRE - JACK WAGNER WINS the 2011 EVENT Highlights
included Joe Sakic's $1 million Hole-in-One and Jimmer Fredette was
worst than Barkley By Dave Leonardi, SKIER NEWS Publisher SOUTH LAKE TAHOE/STATELINE, NV --July 17, 2011 - In a dramatic finish, Jack Wagner took a four-point lead to the 18th Hole only to have his second shot (Par 5 hole) land in the water. Tony Romo, trying desperately to catch Wagner, also landed his second shot in the water. Wagner bogeyed the hole to gain no Stableford points, Romo fell short with a par, collecting one Stableford point. The result was the actor beat the athlete by three Stableford points, 80 to 77. Wagner collected a check from American Century for $125,000; Romo, playing with amateur status will see his second place earnings of $50,000 donated to local Tahoe charities. Drama also ensued earlier in the day when retired NHLer Joe Sakic hit a Hole-in-One on the course's beautiful 17th hole. The hole had a $1 million prize for a perfect tee shot on the last day of play. Sakic was the first ever to do it on prize day with a 169 yard stroke, hit with an 8-iron. Half of the $1 million was contributed to Livestrong Foundation and Sakic received the other $500,000. When asked about the money split, Sakic remarked, "...I'm just happy I got a Hole-in-One for the first time in my life." And later added, "I could never imagine getting a Hole-in-One, but I always said if you're going to do this, you gotta do it big. So no bigger than this."
The hole-in-one gave Sakic +8 Stableford points to help him finish tied for 11th with Vinny Del Negro with a total +50. This was the fourth hole-in-one in the Tahoe celebrity golf event, and second on 17. Marshall Faulk nailed his tee shot also off of Hole 17 for a perfect shot in 2009. The hole is also known for beautiful views, since it rests along Lake Tahoe from tee to green. It is a tricky par 3 with wind off the lake being the key. The first hole-in-one was recorded at the event by Rudy Gatlin (of Gatlin Brothers music fame) in 1995 on the 155 yard 5th hole. Dan Jansen had the second Hole-in-One in 1999, also on the same 5th hole. None of the previous holes-in-one were scored on the million-dollar prize day. Wagner, who won the American Century event at the Edgewood Tahoe golf course in 2006 with a Stableford +70, led from the day one and his confidence increased with every end-of-round press conference. The actor, who joked with his pro-athlete competitors that he "does the elliptical" enjoyed the company of David Berganio. Berganio is a PGA tour competitor who served as Wagner's caddie while nursing an elbow and low back medical issue. Wagner admitted that "David helped me alot on the putting green to be able to accelerate through the putts as opposed to kind of guiding them. ...This is our U.S. Open for celebrity golf. We have one weekend a year, so you gotta bring it. And fortunately I putted well today." The TV daytime star scored six birdies on the first 11 holes. Jeremy Roenick and Chris Chandler, who were tied for second on the first day of play, tied for third with a +66 score and each received $32,500. Last year's runaway winner, Billie Joe Tolliver, (NFL-QB) finished tied for 13th with Ken Whisenhunt (NFL Coach, Arizona Cardinals) to take home $6,674. The winning-est player at the event, eight-time champion Rick Rhoden, finished 6th to receive $17,579. Skier Bode Miller, outstanding Olympic Gold and Silver medalist, finished 51st with a Stableford score of +12 to collect $3,299. Last year Miller also placed 51st but with a better Stableford score, +16. In addition to the $500,000 donated to Livestrong, several players, like Tony Romo, retain amateur status and their earnings are combined and donated to local Lake Tahoe charities. This year's amateur winnings combined for a total of $156,086 donated to Tahoe based groups. Other amateur participants included (MLB) Jamie Moyer; and Andy Pettite; (NFLers) Tim Tebow, John Elway, and Wes Welker; (NBAers) Michael Jordan, Jason Kidd and Charles Barkley; (entertainers) Ray Romano, Javier Colon, Joe Don Rooney and Oliver Hudson as well as (former U.S. VP) Dan Quayle. NBC's American Century Championship provides the spectators with the most recognizable field of players of any golf competition. The event features a number of very good golfers and a large number of fun celebrities and great athletes. Finishing last is a "badge of honor" and this year the biggest badge went to college basketball great Jimmer Fredette, who remained worse than Charles Barkley. Fredette was last, in 83rd place, with a Stableford -88, while Barkley scored -68. Barkley improved over 2010's -92 and 2009's -97. Sir Charles' coach Hank Haney, in 2010, predicted Barkley would improve and he did, by +24 Stableford points. Another attendance record was set with an announced total of 40,156, a 6.5% increase over last year's 37,550 for the five-day event. For information on Lake Tahoe, visit: www.TahoeSouth.com For more information on the American Century Championship, go to www.americancenturychampionship.com ### |
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from the 2010 American Century Championship... BILLY JOE TOLLIVER TAKES FIRST PLACE in THE 2010 AMERICAN CENTURY CHAMPIONSHIP By Dave Leonardi,
SKIER NEWS Publisher Elway held a secure second spot until the 18th green played havoc with him and his double-bogey -2 score dropped his point total down to 65 as Romo and Smoltz picked up in points to tie with the former Bronco. Wagner gained a point on 18 and thus the four-way tie was in place. The American Century Championship at the beautiful Edgewood-Tahoe Golf Course is played using the Stableford scoring method. The Stableford system awards positive points for better play. A Double-eagle awards the player +10 points; a Hole-in-one is worth +8; an Eagle +6 points; Birdie = +3; Par = +1; Bogey = 0; down to a Double-bogey -2 points. Therefore, unlike PGA play, the highest score wins. Also, unlike PGA play, you can lose points if you double bogey, so virtually no score is safe on a bad day. Far below the pack, in a tie for eighth place was the event's most lucrative winner, Rick Rhoden with a +58, Rhoden has won a total of $1,125,289 since 1991. This was his worst finish in the event having never finished lower than fourth place. Grant Fuhr, who was in the top three in recent years finished 15th with 50 points. Tolliver's 19-point victory was the greatest point spread in the history of the event and ten points higher than Rhoden's 2009 win of +74 and Rhoden '08 victory with +70 points. Usually finishing last Charles Barkley did not disappoint but improved his game by four points over last year to finish in 82nd place with a -94, better than his 2009 finish of -97. U.S. Olympic Bobsled Gold Medalist, Steve Holcomb finished 81st with a -87. NFL QB Trent Green was 80th with a -48 taking home $2,775, Ray Romano was 79th scoring -33. Finishing 78th was Shane Battier (NBA) with -29 and receiving $2,865. NBC's "The Office" star finished 77th with -27 taking home $2,955. Barkley now claims to be changing his game and will tee-off left-handed to try to improve for 2011. He began the final day driving left-handed, but playing the shorter game in his right-hand style. Barkley, Romano and Holcomb were playing as amateurs as well as John Elway and Tony Romo. The second place amateurs, Elway and Romo, take of the second place prize money of $47,500 each goes to local Lake Tahoe charities and Lance Armstrong's Livestrong Foundation. A total of $142,197 in amateur prize money was donated to the charities after the 2010 event.
WILL
HANK HANEY'S KARMA BEAT TEAM TOLLIVER? Below left: Shown between his two "Challenges" Golf Guru Hank Haney vows that Charles Barkley will be an improved golfer within the next year. The legendary instructor, Haney, tutored both Barkley and Ray Romano this past year. Barkley again finished last, with a -93, while Romano finished 79th (out of 82) with a -33. Below right: Four friends and Texas fans surprised Billy Joe Tolliver outfitted with "Team Tolliver" shirts to show their support. They claimed they helped Billy Joe to break records and win this year and Tolliver in his Press Conference said, "I'm going to have to get a bus to take them home now. Now they're part of the family."
For more photos and the 2010 lively daily updates, click here. Skier Bode Miller finished tied for 51st with a +16. Former and current NHL players finished as follows: Jeremy Roenick, 7th; Jamie Langenbrunner tied for 8th; Brett Hull, 11th; Dan Quinn tied for 12th; Grant Fuhr, 15th; Mike Modano 17th and Joe Sakic, tied for 22nd. Among all pro sports, the NHL group had the highest number of top finishers. The event saw record-setting attendance once a again with a crowd total of 37,550 of the five day event. The number is 345 higher than the 2009 record of 37,205. For information on Lake Tahoe, visit: www.TahoeSouth.com For more information on
the American Century Championship, go to
www.americancenturychampionship.com
|
| Report
from the 2009 American Century Championship... 2009 - RICK RHODEN CLAIMS 8th CHAMPIONSHIP Successfully Defends His 2008 Title
By Dave Leonardi,
SKIER NEWS Publisher Tied for third was former NHLer (Calgary, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia) Dan Quinn and NFL QB (Chargers, Falcons, Oilers, Saints and Bears) Billy Joe Tolliver. Both finished with a +70. Quinn shot a +21 for the day and Tolliver +26. They will take home $30,000 each. Other current and former NHL players faired well in the final standings. San Jose Shark, Jeremy Roenick finished 5th with a +22 to end with a +69. Dallas Stars' great Mike Modano (pictured below) finished 7th with a +64 shooting a +26 on Sunday. The +26 was the best score posted on the final day, Tolliver's +26 moved him into a tie for third with Quinn. The NHL had four of the top seven finishers and five of the top nine. The American Century
Championship at the beautiful Edgewood-Tahoe Golf Course is played
using the Stableford scoring method. The Stableford system awards
positive points for better play. A Double-eagle awards the player +10
points; a Hole-in-one is worth +8; an Eagle +6 points; Birdie = +3;
Par = +1; Bogey = 0; down to a Double-bogey -2 points. Therefore,
unlike PGA play, the highest score wins. Also, unlike PGA play, you
can lose points if you double bogey, so virtually no score is safe on
a bad day. Rick Rhoden posted a +18 for a total of +74 to hang on to the lead and for the eighth time claim the trophy and a check for $125,000. Rhoden, former pitcher for the L.A. Dodgers, stated afterwards, "It's like yesterday, everybody said they'll probably break the (course) record. The last day's always different. Rhoden referred to the overall poor play of the top of the field. Perhaps a psychological block occurred after many of the players learned of Tom Watson's horrible finish at The British open. Watson blew the lead and the playoff while the American Century contenders were completing the front nine. They learned of Watson's finish before they teed off on the 10th hole and most expressed shock that Watson collapsed on his final strokes. Rhoden later added, "Just
played bad all day. I got up-and-down a couple times. Saved pars. And
few I should have I didn't get up-and-down." Another attendance record was set when this year's crowd was listed at 37,205 beating last year's 31,220. This year's event was framed with outstanding weather, sunny skies and beautiful temperatures which brought out a record number of spectators. Two years ago the Tahoe region was in the aftermath of the Angora Fire which devastated a south shore neighborhood weeks before the event. At last year's tournament in 2008, the Lake was overcast with smoke and haze from massive fires in central California. Heather
Locklear followed Jack Wagner on the course. Jack Wagner (visor) surveys the fairway, and Locklear and NHL player Mike Modano speak before the guys began their play on the 17th hole.  SKIER NEWS photo, Dave Leonardi Once again Charles Barkley finished dead last with a -97. Looks like Barkley's lessons did not pay off, as he had a better "worse" score of only -71 last year. (Link here for related Barkley and firefighter article and photo.) Chuck Liddell, MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fighter, was next to last at -94 and actor/comedian Kevin Nealon was third from the bottom with a -76. The 2010 American Century
Championship, televised on NBC and ESPN, will take place at the
Edgewood-Tahoe Golf Course from July 13 to July 18. For more information on
the American Century Championship, go to
www.americancenturychampionship.com
|
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from the 2008 American Century Championship... 2008 - RICK RHODEN WINS AGAIN Captures
his seventh American Century Championship  SKIER NEWS' photo, Dave Leonardi Rick Rhoden tees off to begin his title day. By Dave Leonardi,
SKIER NEWS Publisher The Stableford scoring
method awards positive points for better play. A hole-in-one is worth
+8; an Eagle +6 points down to a double-bogey -2 points. Therefore,
unlike PGA play, the highest score wins.
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 (link for a related article and photo)
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, televised on NBC and ESPN, will take place at the
Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course from July 14 to July 19. |
| Report
from the 2007 American Century Championship...
CHRIS CHANDLER SETS COURSE RECORD TO WIN Former NFL QB wins the 2007 American Century Championship with a one-round high score of 31 By Dave Leonardi, SKIER NEWS Publisher SOUTH LAKE TAHOE/STATELINE, NV -- July 15, 2007 - 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. A Double-eagle awards the player +10 points; a Hole-in-one is worth +8; an Eagle +6 points; Birdie = +3; Par = +1; Bogey = 0; down to a Double-bogey -2 points. 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 Tahoe, visit: www.TahoeSouth.com. For more information on the American Century Championship, go to www.americancenturychampionship.com. ### |
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| Bonus
Report from the 2007 American Century Championship...
CHARLES BARKLEY THANKS the
LAKE TAHOE FIREFIGHTERS By Dave Leonardi, SKIER NEWS Publisher SOUTH LAKE TAHOE/STATELINE, NV -- July 14, 2007 - Barkley treated the hard-working men of Lake Tahoe's several Fire Departments 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 of 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. UPDATE - 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 $90,000 to the Angora Fire relief fund. Sir Charles total donation to the 2007 Tahoe Fire Relief fund has now reached the $190,000 mark. UPDATE - July 17, 2009 - Barkley donated the aforementioned $90,000 before this year's event in Lake Tahoe and after the communities received the second check from the NBA Hall of Famer and TNT basketball analyst, rumors jokingly circulated that the area may have to be renamed “Barkleyville.” Link here for a report and photo. For information on Lake Tahoe, visit: www.TahoeSouth.com For more information on the American Century Championship, go to www.americancenturychampionship.com ### |
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| Pre-Event
Report for the 2007 American Century Championship...
TAHOE'S AMERICAN CENTURY CHAMPIONSHIP The 2007 Event Promises Something for Everyone By Dave Leonardi, SKIER NEWS Publisher SOUTH LAKE TAHOE/STATELINE, NV -- June 30, 2007 - 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 passersby. 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.americancenturychampionship.com ### |
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from the 2006 American Century Championship...
JACK WAGNER WINS the 2006 AMERICAN CENTURY CHAMPIONSHIP CHRIS WEBBER BEATS BARKLEY AGAIN By Dave Leonardi, SKIER NEWS Publisher SOUTH LAKE TAHOE/STATELINE, NV -- July 16, 2006 - 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 (plus) points. A Double-eagle awards the player +10 points; a Hole-in-one is worth +8; an Eagle +6 points; Birdie = +3; Par = +1; Bogey = 0; down to a Double-bogey -2 points. 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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from the 2005 American Century Championship... CHRIS WEBBER WINS THE $50,000 CHALLENGE with CHARLES BARKLEY at the 2005 AMERICAN CENTURY CHAMPIONSHIP By Dave Leonardi, SKIER NEWS Publisher SOUTH LAKE TAHOE/STATELINE, 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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from the 2004 American Century Championship... N.H.L. ALUMNUS DAN QUINN WINS the 2004 AMERICAN CENTURY CHAMPIONSHIP By Dave Leonardi, SKIER NEWS Publisher SOUTH LAKE TAHOE/STATELINE, 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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