Even with wet weather, Celebrity Golf sets one day attendance record

Take a list of top celebrity athletes plus a retired LPGA champion and add the fact that the tournament is celebrating it's 25th anniversary, one would except large and excited galleries at the American Century Golf Championship.

Crowds didn't disappoint on Saturday when a record 13,000 attended the tournament at Edgewood Tahoe.

With thunderstorms coming into the region during the final round, many spectators left the course early when play was altered at the first sign of lightning. They missed one of the more spectacular finishes with any of the leaders able to take home the first place honors.

Perhaps due to the weather, the total attendance for the tournament was the third highest on record with 38,495 people attending.

“While we were disappointed with the weather, we completed what was one of the best tournaments in our history,” said Mike Milthorpe, tournament director. “The important issue is safety and we took every precaution to keep players and fans safe.”

More than 100 boats lined the shore along the 17th hole on Saturday, The warm and sunny weather brought out record crowds to the beach as well as the course.

“The results of this event were outstanding,” said Carol Chaplin, executive director of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. “The buzz was there, the town was full and lodging occupancy high. The tournament and Tahoe South continue to reinforce our brand as a destination for activities and good times.”

In case you missed it, A.J. Hawk of the Green Bay Packers tackled a spectator (per his request). The video of the antics got over 300,000 views on social media.

The tournament’s Instagram handle gained 350+ followers, Twitter had 400+, and Facebook received 280+ new followers, with a total reach of about 45,000.

Despite the rain delay, the tournament was considered a major success. Mark Rypien won, and as expected, Sorenstam competed, tying for second with Jeremy Roenick. Pfeifer was the week’s feel good story, earning fifth place, $20,000 and an invitation to next year’s tournament. Relegated to last place was Charles Barkley, whose presence delights fans, tournament officials, and the media year after year.