Countdown to American Century Championship: Celebrity autographed Vessel bags for charity

Over the years, the American Century Championship in South Lake Tahoe has raised $4.5 million for multiple national and regional charities, and this year will be no different.

Vessel is teaming up with the tournament for the third year to raise money for charity through an online auction of premium golf bags autographed by the 90 participants competing in the annual celebrity tournament at Lake Tahoe, which starts TUesday at Edgewood Tahoe.

Customized bags with their names stitched on the outside will be given to the celebrities for the tournament, then they will all autograph them and give back to be auctioned online. There is also one bag with all celebrity golfers's autographs.

The auction has already started, and will continue through Sunday, July 24, 6 p.m. ET, the day of the final round. So far, a bid of $300 has been received on the multi-autographed bag, and all other bags are still at the opening bid of $200.

All proceeds from the autographed bags will go to the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, a biomedical research organization, which is the official national charity beneficiary of the tournament in 2016. The Stowers Institute is dedicated to improving human health by studying the fundamental processes of life. The Institute is the controlling owner of American Century Investments and has received dividend payments totaling over $1.2 billion since 2000. The auction has raised nearly $100,000 over the past two years, with $47,731.79 raised in 2015 and $48,080.30 in 2014.

Among the prominent celebrities whose autographed bags will be available are Justin Timberlake, father and son basketball stars Dell and Steph Curry, Charles Barkley, Aaron Rodgers, Larry the Cable Guy and a robust list of Hall of Fame football, baseball and basketball stars.

Interested bidders can go to http://golfbag.gesture.com or text “GOLFBAG” to 52182. The bidder will be alerted if they have been outbid.

Tournament competition begins on Friday, July 22, and continues through Sunday, July 24. Contested under a modified Stableford format, the tournament features $600,000 in prize money, including the $125,000 first prize.

Televised coverage of the tournament will be aired live on NBC Sports and NBCSN. First round Friday coverage airs live on NBCSN, 3-5p.m. PST, 6-8p.m. ET. Second round Saturday and final round Sunday coverage is live on NBC, noon-3p.m. PT, 3-6 p.m. ET. The auction will be promoted during the telecasts to enhance fundraising efforts.

This isn't the only charitable event going on with Vessel. For all golf bags purchased, they give a school backpack to a child in need.