LAKE TAHOE, Nev. -Wednesday, July 9 marked the first official day of the American Century Championship (ACC) at Edgewood Tahoe. While the day was categorized as a celebrity and amateur competition (Celeb-Am) and practice rounds, it was full of celebrity sightings and fans wanting to take pictures with their favorite athletes and actors.
The first set of celebrities we encountered was around 11 a.m. at Hole 10. After being cheered on and greeted with requests for autographs and pictures, New Orleans Saints Safety Justin Reid, TV Host Chris Harrison, former NHL All-Star Joe Pavelski, country music singer Jake Owen and former NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick began their practice round. Staying at the hole for about 10 minutes, the group quickly moved on for their round of golf as they prepared for the tournament, which begins Friday.
Following these celebrity encounters on the course, fans could be seen cheering for 2024 ACC Champion Mardy Fish, a former professional tennis player. He told South Tahoe Now that he does not feel pressure while playing in this year’s tournament to defend his title. He said there are actually two players defending the title since Golden State Warriors Point Guard Steph Curry was unable to defend his 2023 title due to playing in the Olympics.
Having attended the ACC tournament eleven times previously, and winning in 2020 and 2024, Fish is very familiar with the Edgewood golf course and Lake Tahoe.
“It’s my favorite week of the year,” said Fish. “American Century does such a great job putting on the event and tons of stuff for us to do. It feels like a family sort of atmosphere. We can bring the kids, with everybody around, and have a blast.”
According to Fish, his kids also enjoy the setting of the tournament and being able to spend time around Tahoe.
“They like the lake,” said Fish. “My son likes watching golf, my daughter doesn’t like watching golf. We go boating, there’s great food here, it’s an awesome experience.”
At 1 p.m., the second Celeb-Am round of the day started, the first being at 7:45 a.m. Notable celebrities playing in this round included Saturday Night Live lead writer and personality Colin Jost, former MLB pitcher Roger Clemens, comedian Larry the Cable Guy, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Mardy Fish and Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Austin Reaves.
Due to his successful basketball career and history at the ACC, Steph Curry was a fan favorite. Starting at Hole 15, Curry played with golf-centered content creator and public figure Roger Steele, and moved from hole to hole, ushered by deputies and his security guard. Fans cheered him on, asking for autographs and signatures, some getting their wish as he stopped during walks to the next green.
The day concluded for us with two interview panels concerning different
aspects of the tournament. The first included WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, “Today Show” Anchor and Meteorologist Dylan Dreyer, “NBC Sports” reporter Kathryn Tapper and golf host and content creator Hally Leadbetter. These women, who make up four of the five total women competition participants, discussed the impact they hope to have on young girls in the male-dominated tournament.
Additionally, they shared their fierce support and encouragement for World Golf Hall of Fame member Annika Sorenstam, the fifth woman participant in this year’s ACC competition.
At 3 p.m., following the women’s panel, American Century Investment Chief Marketing Officer Erik Schneberger and former MVP and All-Pro NFL quarterback Joe Theismann spoke about American Century’s investment initiatives and new AI technology being introduced to the tournament used in a new competition, “Smash for Cash”.
According to both panel members, AI technology will be used to measure swing statistics, or more specifically, the “smash factor” (the ball’s speed divided by the speed of the club). This new competition started on Wednesday and will continue on Thursday.
Thursday’s play will be another Celeb-AM and more practice rounds, and the official competition begins on Friday.
Stay tuned to southtahoenow.com and the South Tahoe Now Instagram for
tournament coverage and updates.