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. Among the women celebrities playing is GOLF Channel on-air commentator Kira K. Dixon, 2015ās Miss America. Dixon (formerly Kira Kazantsev) was profiled in ACES in 2016.
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 resortās 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 ā 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.
Lake Tahoe tourism authorities have enacted various āKnow Before You Goā protocols as well as the Lake Tahoe Take Care Travel Pledge to reinforce mindful and responsible travel efforts.
The battle for the 2021 title is slated to include standout golfers like two-time champion 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 Sportsā 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.
Additional names to the field will be announced leading up to the championship in July. 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.