When Colin Jost jokes that he’s going into the American Century Championship with confidence he definitely won’t win, you know this isn’t your typical golf tournament. It’s the kind of event where NFL Hall of Famer Joe Theismann and SNL cast member Colin Jost tee off alongside NBA MVP Steph Curry and actor Miles Teller — all for charity, all with zero pressure to actually be good.
The American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Resort has become the Super Bowl of celebrity golf, and this year’s 37th edition proves why. From July 8-12, more than 80 stars from sports and entertainment are converging on South Lake Tahoe for a three-day tournament that’s equal parts competition and celebrity watching. The field reads like a who’s who: Jerry Rice, Charles Barkley, Derek Carr, Roger Clemens, Ray Romano, and a roster so stacked you could fill a stadium just watching the pro-am rounds.
What makes this event different from typical celebrity fundraisers is that these aren’t B-list attendees showing up for a check. We’re talking Hall of Famers (Drew Brees, Vince Carter, Steve Young), current stars (Golden State Warriors’Seth Curry and Steph Curry, Sacramento Kings’Zach LaVine, Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence), and legitimate entertainment names (Bobby Flay, Alfonso Ribeiro, Rob McElhenney). Even reporter-turned-host Carson Daly is in the mix. The competition is real enough that defending champ Joe Pavelski will have his hands full — Seth Curry, who took home the title a few years back, is returning hungry.
Saturday and Sunday’s rounds will air on KCRA 3, while Peacock streams Friday through Sunday live. If you’re thinking about heading up to the Sierra, grounds passes for all days run $188.38 (including fees), though Saturday’s already sold out. The tournament’s $750,000 purse sweetens the deal for participants who actually came to play.
Beyond the golf itself, there’s karaoke. Yes, karaoke. NBC Meteorologist Dylan Dreyer is plotting a musical showdown with Billy Idol, while NBA star Steph Curry has dibs on a Neo song. That’s the energy here — high-stakes celebrity golf mixed with genuine fun and charity at nearly 6,300 feet. It’s what happens when you gather this much star power in one place and actually let them enjoy themselves.
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
