SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, May 17, 2021 – Sports and entertainment superstars will take center stage July 9-11, when the American Century Championship returns to South Lake Tahoe for its 32nd edition with its best-ever field competing for $600,000 and fundraising for charity at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course.
Justin Timberlake, Tony Romo, Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes and Charles Barkley headline a star-studded field of more than 80 sports and entertainment stars competing in the 54-hole championship. NBC and NBCSN will televise the tournament live Friday-Sunday (July 9-11), with GOLF Channel surrounding tournament coverage with interviews and insights through the week. Tickets are now available online and in advance only at www.AmericanCenturyChampionship.com.
The tournament was safely conducted in 2020 albeit without spectators amidst the global pandemic and raised $600,000 for COVID-19 and social justice charities while fulfilling its commitment to promote the Lake Tahoe region in what is usually the destination resort’s biggest week of the year.
A return to a semblance of normalcy is on tap this year while the tournament works with state, regional and health authorities for spectator access – estimated at half the 60,000 fans who typically line the fairways as well as lakeside in boats along the famed 17th hole. Multiple precautions will be taken by event organizers and sponsors to ensure health and safety for all participants and attendees.
Multiple precautions will be taken by event officials and sponsors to ensure health and safety for all participants and attendees. Lake Tahoe tourism authorities have enacted various “Know Before You Go” protocols as well as the Lake Tahoe Take Care Travel Pledge to reinforce mindful and responsible travel efforts.
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The battle for the 2021 title is slated to include standout golfers like two-time champion Tony Romo, three-time champion Mark Mulder, PGA TOUR Champions exemption competitor John Smoltz and defending champion Mardy Fish, the U.S. Davis Cup Captain. Newcomers to the tournament include Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott, New Orleans Saints star Taysom Hill, Los Angeles Rams offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth, two-time New York Giants Super Bowl Champion Justin Tuck and former New York Yankees star pitcher CC Sabathia.
Newly retired future Hall of Fame quarterback and NBC Sports’ new Football Night in America analyst Drew Brees is part of the contingent of 39 current or former NFL players, coaches and Hall of Famers who tee it up at Edgewood Tahoe each year. Active players Larry Fitzgerald, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Kyle Fuller, Robbie Gould, Travis Kelce, Patrick Peterson, Golden Tate and Adam Thielen all use the event as a final respite before the opening of NFL training camps each year.
All told, the field collectively represents 16 Hall of Famers, 13 Most Valuable Player awards and 15 Cy Young Awards. Among the women celebrity golfers in the field are NBC News and TODAY Show meteorologist Dylan Dreyer, NBC Sports anchor and on-air personality Kathryn Tappen and GOLF Channel on-air commentator Kira K. Dixon, 2015’s Miss America.
Additional names to the field will be announced leading up to the championship in July. The current tournament field is available Here.
The 54-hole competition will test the golf skills of more than 80 players, some of whom compete as amateurs and donate their prize money to tournament charities. The American Century Championship has donated over $5 million to non-profits.
The 2021 American Century Championship will utilize the Modified Stableford format whereby points are awarded as follows: 10 for a double eagle, 8 for a hole in one, 3 for a birdie, 1 for par, 0 for bogey, and minus 2 for double bogey. Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course, a George Fazio design, has been rated by Golf Digest Magazine as one of “America’s Top 100 Golf Courses.”
American Century Investments, the title sponsor of the championship since 1998, continues its role in partnership with NBC Sports, the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course and the South Tahoe community.
Follow and join the tournament action using #ACCgolf on social media, and catch exclusive content on American Century Championship’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts.
About American Century Investments – Tournament Title Sponsor
American Century Investments is a leading global asset manager focused on delivering investment results and building long-term client relationships while supporting research that can improve human health and save lives. Founded in 1958, American Century Investments’ 1,400 employees serve financial professionals, institutions, corporations and individual investors from offices in New York; London; Frankfurt; Hong Kong; Sydney; Mountain View, Calif.; and Kansas City, Mo. Jonathan S. Thomas is president and chief executive officer, and Victor Zhang serves as chief investment officer. Delivering investment results to clients enables American Century Investments to distribute over 40 percent of its dividends to the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, a 500-person, non-profit basic biomedical research organization. The Institute owns more than 40 percent of American Century Investments and has received dividend payments of $1.7 billion since 2000. For more information about American Century Investments, visit www.americancentury.com.
About the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority
Lake Tahoe was recently designated No. 24 in the World Top 100 Golf Destinations for the best combination of experiences: spectacular golf, dining, attractions, resorts, culture by GolfPass. Tahoe South combines the distinctive appeal of two worlds: spectacular natural beauty and a modern tourism destination with an array of outdoor recreation, entertainment, nightlife and gaming. Tahoe’s timeless splendor and diversity toward health and wellness, green business practices and sustainability continue to define its inimitable personality. For information about lodging, recreation, packages, and healthy travel at Tahoe South, call 1-800-288-2463 or log onto www.TahoeSouth.com
