30 facts about 30th annual American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe

The 30th annual American Century Championship is just one week away, July 9 – 14, 2019. Celebrities from the world of sports, television, comedy and more are headed to Edgewood Tahoe once again. Here are 30+ fun facts about the popular celebrity golf tournament.

1. CLEAR BAG POLICY
For the security of all guests and players, and like most major sporting events, the tournament will be utilizing metal detectors at the entrance and a clear bag and bag search policy. So please, for your convenience and smooth access, note the list of approved items and prohibited items BEFORE arriving at the front gate entrance. There is not a bag check or locker area to store items.

2. TICKETS
Pre-Sales Ahead of Last Year Record Attendance: As of June 28, ticket sales are trending 22% ahead of last year-same time and 2018 attendance established a new record of 57,097. Combine that with the favorable weather forecast and it could be another record. Daily Tickets are $20 per person Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; $30 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and are available at the entrance gate at Edgewood Tahoe. Special discounts at Raley’s, BelAir, Nob Hill stores ($17/$27 respectively; w/ $50 grocery purchase: $23 daily for Fri, Sat, Sun, limit four)
Free Admission for Kids 10 and Under – when accompanied by a paying adult. Limit: 2 Free Tickets for Military: Active duty, reservists, National Guard, military retirees and veterans receive one complimentary ticket and one complimentary guest ticket each day of The American Century Championship Tuesday, July 9, through Sunday, July 14, 2019.

3. PARKING
Parking near the course is extremely limited with a few spaces adjoining the course for very early arrivals. Carpooling, Uber/Lyft, cab rides (drop-off point near admission gate) are highly recommended.
Parking fees at adjacent casinos:

Harrah’s & Harveys: $20 valet; $13 self; except Friday: $40/$25 at Harveys and $30/$20 Harrah's
MontBleu: $25 (receive coupon for $25 food, beverage & gaming value)
Hard Rock $30 (receive coupon for $26+ minimum in food, beverage, gaming values). Handicap parking (limited spaces, suggest early arrival).

4. CAREER NUMBERS
Of the 489 celebrities who’ve played in the American Century Championship in 29 years, here’s their combined numbers in their chosen field/s of endeavor:

355 - Championships
8 - Heisman Trophy winners
76 - Hall of Famers
20 - Cy Youngs
1132 - All Stars
61 - MVPs
26 - Grand Slam Wins
134 - Gold Gloves
989,858 - points scored
12,626 - HRs
18,972 - Wins (coaches, pitchers)
48,178 - RBI
7573 - Stolen Bases
8,865 - Goals
215,085 - Assists
114,209 - Saves
4 - Wooden Awards
1,941,412 - Yards Passing
291,883 - Rushing Yards
298,511 - Receiving Yards
17,132 - TDS
1 - President
1 - Miss America
0 - Oscars
42 - Grammys
42 - Emmys
0 - Tonys
7 - Walk of Fame Stars
80 - Gold Medals
16 - Silver Medals
8 - Bronze Medals
31 - Wheaties Covers
5 - Purple Hearts

FOR 2019

5. 16 HALL OF FAMERS Are playing in the tournament; 22 current/active players; 10 of whom are All-Pro or All-Stars.

6. SIX NFL Coaches
Doug Pederson, Philadelphia Eagles; Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints; and first-timers Anthony Lynn, Los Angeles Chargers; Matt Nagy, Chicago Bears; Frank Reich, Indianapolis Colts; Mike Vrabel, Tennessee Titans.

7. ACTIVE NFL QBs
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers; Case Keenum, Washington Redskins; first-timers Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills; Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals

8. COMEDIANS
Larry the Cable Guy, Rob Riggle, John O’Hurley, Willie Robertson, Ray Romano, Brian Baumgartner.

9. WOME
Four women are playing in tournament: Lisa Cornwell, Golf Channel host; Kathryn Tappen, NHL on NBC host; Kira Kazantsev, 2015 Miss America; Dylan Dreyer, Meteorologist, NBC Today Show.

10. NBC BROADCAST TEAM
Host Steve Sands, analyst Peter Jacobsen will anchor coverage from the 18th tower. Jimmy Roberts, commentary; Notah Begay and Charlie Rymer inside the ropes; Heather Cox interviews with celebrities on No. 17.

10. BROADCAST TIMES
Fri: NBCSN 7 - 9 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. - midnight ET; Sat/Sun NBC noon – 3 p.m. live (PT)

11. TOURNAMENT FAVORITES
Harrah’s and Harveys Race & Sports Book have installed defending champion Tony Romo and Hal of Fame pitcher John Smoltz as co-favorites at 3-1 odds.

12. ON THE ODDS
Dave Cudney, Harrah’s and Harveys Sports Book Manager re: the 6,000 to 1 odds on Charles Barkley to win: “It’s as high as we’re allowed to make the odds. I’d go higher if I could.”

13. FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THE TOURNAMENT ON THE SOUTH SHORE
Estimated at more than $30 million impact on the community: lodging, dining, entertainment, gaming, recreational activities and amenities, dozens of local businesses as tournament vendors, publicity value.

14. KORBEL MEDIA SPRAY-OFF
Wednesday, 4 – 5 p.m. at No. 17; Celebrity Spray-off, Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at No. 17 (Sign-up to participate in the media room. Win golf bag, clubs, champagne.)

15. RADIO ROW
Along the left side of driving range, there will be numerous nationally syndicated, local, regional stations conducting live broadcasts.

16. THURSDAY, HOLE #7
The Corona Skybox and public viewing area by the tee will be the place to see and be seen. Get ready to get wild!

17. YEAR OF THE VOLUNTEER
The 30th annual American Century Championship, being celebrated as the “Year of the Volunteer”. They are the backbone of every golf tournament and the American Century Championship highlights that fact. The staff of nearly 400 community-minded, golf and celebrity-obsessed, good-hearted is the number one reason the event has been able to donate more than $5 million to the area and national charities and non-profits through the years.

18. GOLF COURSE SET-UP NUMBERS
Tournament Services Inc., of Phoenix, Arizona has handled course logistics and set-up since the inaugural event in 1990. Check out these figures:
9.0 miles of rope to line the fairways and tees
1,500 stakes
7 days of set-up for a crew of 5
100 radios on the course
800 signs
8 scoreboards
1,000 bleacher seats
11 skyboxes
4 corporate hospitality tents
85 porta-potties
6 restroom trailers
600 feet of fencing
600 dozen range balls (Bridgestone Golf)
Miles of TV cable
300 trash boxes
35,000 trash bags

CHARITY/NON-PROFIT NEWS

19. TAHOE DOUGLAS ROTARY BREAKFAST
NHL All-Star Joe Pavelski who just signed with the Dallas Stars (former All-Star and captain of San Jose Sharks), and NFL All-Pro placekicker Robbie Gould of the San Francisco Forty Niners will be addressing the Tahoe Douglas Rotary & SLT Rotary during its Fifth Annual Breakfast with Celebrities on Wednesday, July 10, 7 – 9 a.m. at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. In addition to socializing, Pavelski and Gould will be fielding questions from those in attendance. Tickets are $25 and include breakfast and can be purchased online for the first 100 members of the public at www.TDRotary.com. (Press release with more details in the media room.)

20. JONATHAN THOMAS OF ACI TO RECEIVE PAUL HARRIS FELLOW FROM TAHOE DOUGLAS ROTARY
Jonathan Thomas of ACI to receive Paul Harris Fellow from Tahoe Douglas Rotary
In recognition and appreciation for all that American Century Investments has done for the greater South Tahoe community during its 20 years as the tournament’s title sponsor, the Tahoe Douglas Rotary is presenting Jonathan S. Thomas, President and CEO with a “Paul Harris Fellow” (named for Rotary’s founder). ACI has helped direct more than $500,000 to various Tahoe Area non-profit organizations. (Rotary International has presented Paul Harris Fellow recognition to U.S. Presidents, famous entertainers, athletes and business leaders.) The City of South Lake Tahoe is also proclaiming Friday, July 12 as American Century Championship Day.

21. BENEFITS FOR TAHOE EDUCATION ORGANIZATIONS
Edgewood Tahoe is partnering with Lake Tahoe Community College Foundation, Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation, and Tahoe-Douglas Rotary Club to handle the four main concessions tents this week. Each group will be donating approximately 400 volunteer hours to earn up to $50,000 -- $60,000 for their organizations.

22. TAHOE PROSPERITY CENTER
Korbel Champagne has named this organization their charity partner on the $250,00 Closest to the Pin Contest, Friday after the first round of play. Fifteen celebrities will each get two shots on No. 17, the par 3, 155-yard lakefront hole. If an ace is made, half of the $250,000 will be donated to Tahoe Prosperity Center; if there’s no ace but someone is within 2-feet, $25,000 will be shared. In past years if no one has hit it within feet, Korbel has donated $5,000 to the charity. Heidi Hill Drum, TPC executive director says she’ll jump in the Lake to celebrate an ace!

23. WOUNDED WARRIORS
The celebrity of the week is U.S. Marine Capt. Jerry Woods (Ret.) who earned his playing spot this week as the winner of the Warrior Open, an annual competition organized by former President George W. Bush for injured members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Since 2014, Warrior Open champions have earned $74,697 in personal prize money. Captain Woods who used golf as therapy during his transition back to civilian life, received severe wounds to his left leg in Iraq in 2004. With multiple pieces of shrapnel still lodged in his limb, he retired in 2018 and now works for the U.S. Navy as a government contractor. He resides in Mechanicsburg, PA. Woods’ caddy is U.S. Army Captain Adam Napier (Ret.), also a wounded warrior. (See 31. Notable Caddies.)

24. 11th ANNUAL GENE UPSHAW SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
Ben Harrison, a local Whittell High School student entering his senior year, was awarded the 11th annual Gene Upshaw Memorial Scholarship Award. NBC Sports and Edgewood Tahoe each contributed to the $5,000 scholarship award named for the former NFLPA President, Hall of Fame offensive lineman of the Oakland Raiders, and a long-time participant in this tournament.

KORBEL, KING OF CELEBRATIONS

25. $250,000 HOLE-IN-ONE
For the fourth year, Korbel will host a $250,000 Hole-in-One contest, gathering 15 of the tournament’s favorite players to compete. Following the first round of tournament play on Friday, each player will have two shots from 155 yards on hole No. 17, the lakefront party hole. The first ace wins the prize money. If no ace, $25,000 will be awarded for closest-to-the-pin if within 2-feet. Half the money will be donated to the Tahoe Prosperity Center, a locally based organization which unites Tahoe's communities to strengthen regional prosperity.

26. KORBEL CELEBRITY SPRAY-OFF
Which player is the world champion of champagne cork-popping distance? Go see for yourself on Thursday near No. 17 green when each competitor gets a chance to shake it up and let it fly!

27. KORBEL MEDIA SPRAY-OFF (OKAY, SO IT'S A REPEAT)
Media will also have a chance to can channel their own inner World Championship celebration style and see how far their cork can fly Wednesday at 4 p.m. near No. 17 green. Winner will sport a new Korbel golf bag, a rescue club and wedge. Everybody’s a winner with a split of champagne just for participating – and celebrating.

28. FIRST-PERSON BEACH PARTY
It’s no coincidence that these guys know how to have a good time the Korbel pros throw a party for their guests in their skybox behind No. 17 green.

29. PRODUCTS ON DISPLAY
While you’re out on the course watching the stars, there’s also a list of notable companies displaying their wares:
Skechers, Travis Mathew will have their two travel buses located out at 17 one will be a merchandise opportunity for spectators
Phat Scooters – check out the latest in golf bag “mobility”
Belgard – they’re adding a fireplace to the stone patio they erected out at 17th green last year
Corona Premier - has approximately 500 guests attending the tournament (skyboxes at #7 tee, 7 green, 14 green and a hospitality tent at 9 green),
Mastercraft will be offering a $200,000 Mastercraft X Star Towboat valued at $200,000 for a hole-in-one on the 12th hole, Friday-Sunday
NBC’s Shop with Golf – visit their merchandise area near 17th green. You could win $1 million if you qualify and sink a 50-yard putt on the 17th green on Saturday, July 13, 2:45 p.m.
ACI will announce their purchase of “Avantis Investors” with branding tee signage on the 18th hole.

30. CELEBRITY TEE PRIZE GOODIE BAGS
Ever wonder what’s in the celebrity’s gift bag:
Vessel Garment Bag
Bridgestone JGR 5 and 3 Wood
Travis Mathew Golf Shirts
Travis Mathew Hat
Pair of Skecher Shoes
Club Glove Microfiber Golf Towel
Costa Del Mar Sunglasses

BONUS

31. NOTABLE CADDIES
While most of the caddies are acquaintances or relatives of the players, here are a few with interesting stories:

Charles Barkley’s caddie, Chris Detsch is director golf at Genoa Lakes and has offered swing suggestions to Charles over the years: one-arm, left-handed swing, goggles. (Keep your day job, Chris.)
Kyle Williams, All-Pro defensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills has Nick O’Leary, the Bills’ tight end and grandson of Jack Nicklaus on the bag.
John Smoltz, co-favorite and Hall of Fame pitcher, has his former catcher with the Atlanta Braves, Greg Olson on the bag. Olson helped Smoltz win at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions in January in Orlando, FL at the LPGA/Celebrity tournament.
U.S. Marine Capt. Jerry Woods has his friend, U.S. Army Captain Adam Napier (Ret.) on his bag. Napier survived two Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attacks that killed an Iraqi interpreter and his radio transmission operator, causing him to suffer several Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) and secondary wounds to his face, hands, and shoulder. Golf has acted as both mental and emotional therapy throughout his military career and beyond retirement.

32. LET’S DO IT AGAIN NEXT YEAR
The 31st annual American Century Championship is July 7-12, 2020.

For more information, www.AmericanCenturyChampionship.com.