Some athletes peak once. Others find a way to climb the mountain again and again. Tennis legend Mardy Fish just proved he’s in the latter camp, capturing his third American Century Championship title at Edgewood Tahoe Resort this past weekend.
The 37th running of this celebrity golf tournament brought together over 80 stars from sports and entertainment to South Lake Tahoe from July 8-12, all competing for a $750,000 purse. Fish finished strong with a score of 72 on Sunday, joining an elite club of repeat winners at an event that’s become as much a showcase of athletic versatility as it is competitive sport. His prior victories came in 2020 and 2024—proving this wasn’t a flash in the pan, but a genuine pattern of excellence on the links.
The leaderboard read like an All-Star fantasy draft. Former San Jose Sharks legend Joe Pavelski came in second with a 66, while NBA MVP Stephen Curry rounded out the top three at 59. What made the tournament special, though, wasn’t just the winners—it was the entire experience. Charles Barkley made headlines by telling Sacramento Kings fans to lower their expectations (ouch), WWE’s The Miz connected with young fans through a handwritten card, and Derek Carr reunited with KCRA 3’s Mike Cherry to honor a promise made 13 years prior. NBC Meteorologist Dylan Dreyer was already planning her karaoke strategy against Billy Idol, while Steph Curry prepped his go-to Neo track for the evening.
That’s what made this tournament feel different from your typical golf outing. Yes, these athletes came to compete. But they also came to connect—with each other, with fans, and with the Lake Tahoe community. Fish’s three championships are impressive on paper. But the real trophy might be the event itself, which keeps drawing the best in sports and entertainment back to the Sierra Nevada summer after summer, proving that golf—and good company—never goes out of style.
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
