What Makes the American Century Championship Much More Than a Game of Golf

Every golfer will tell you there are good days and bad days, and most will even say they’ve questioned why they continue to play. Golf is often more a mental game than a physical one. Actor Ray Romano who played in the American Century Championship this past weekend in Lake Tahoe shared exactly that with us when he said, “I have a bad back, I am playing through pain, and the altitude is making it hard to breathe, but I’m playing through it, that’s how much fun it is.” That sentiment was echoed by most of Romano’s fellow star players throughout the weekend tournament. Former NFL player, Mike Golic, asked The Miz how he felt when they finished their final round on Sunday, and when The Miz said he didn’t play well that day but had fun, Golic laughed and replied “if we can’t have fun here, then there’s something wrong.” It was obvious the love of golf was the first draw to play in the tournament, but the comradery with their opponents, the beauty of Lake Tahoe and the Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course and the mission of the American Century Championship game is what makes it all worthwhile.

The American Century Championship is a premier celebrity golf tournament, held each summer on the beautiful shore of Lake Tahoe. Now in its 35^th year, the tournament raises funds for local and national charities and draws a crowd of thousands of spectators. This year alone over 77,000 people attended and more than $6 million in total has been raised for charity. Top athletes, actors, comedians and hosts come together for a weekend of festivities. Golf is only one part of the fun – there are games and contests on certain holes, cocktail parties and karaoke at night, and lots of fans getting to see their idols in action. Autographs and selfies are taken between each hole, creating special memories for adults and kids alike. Jason Kelce signed a baby, and held another one, while Raiders legend Tim Brown got a hole in one and won a brand-new boat, and Alfonso Ribeiro serenaded players singing Michael Jackon hits.

Tennis pro Mardy Fish took home the winner’s trophy, for the second time, but was the first to win a prize himself, as the tournament supported charities this year and offered monetary prizes for 1^st through 5^th place. At the winners press conference, Mardy’s adorable little girl jokingly asked her dad, “what’s mommy going to do with the money?” When Mardy was handed his check he told his son and daughter it was for them! Fishes caddie, as well as his father then joined him for a plunge into Lake Tahoe to celebrate his victory.

That sense of family and support was abundant not only among the Fishes, but among all the golfers, who included some of the greatest athletes of all time – NFL players: Jerry Rice, Brian Urlacher, Travis Kelce, John Elway, Davante Adams; NBA players: Seth Curry, Charles Barkley, Austin Reaves; Baseball Players: Albert Pujols, Roger Clemens, Alex Rodriguez; Hockey Players: Joe Pavelski, John Carlson; Golfer: Annika Sorenstam – as well as TV hosts: Carson Daly, Dylan Dreyer, Chris Harrison, and Actors: Ray Romano, Rob Riggle, Michael Pena.

Everyone from the volunteers directing spectators and keeping the players’ scores, to the sponsors and vendors, to the players families and friends were excited to be at the tournament. The energy was palpable from the fans cheering on the sidelines and from the shoreline. It’s a special weekend and returning players, including some of whom have come back for decades (Jack Wagner, John O’Hurley and John Elway to name a few), epitomize what makes the American Century Championship more than just a game of golf.

To learn more about the American Century Championship, including a list of players, charities and sponsors, visit AmericanCenturyChampionship.com. For more video clips and photo highlights visit @SarahEMeyer and @SplashMags on Instagram.