Pop music superstar Justin Timberlake just amped up the celebrity wattage at the American Century Championship, expanding the field of luminaries for the 30th annual golf tournament at Lake Tahoe, July 9-14. (www.americancenturychampionship.com)
Timberlake will headline a roster of megastars including Steph Curry, Tony Romo, Charles Barkley and Aaron Rodgers among the 90 sports and entertainment personalities. Athletes include 16 Hall of Famers and 22 active players – among them nine All-Stars – as well as an impressive list of actors and comedians.
A multi-talented performer, Timberlake is a singer, songwriter, actor, dancer and record producer. Throughout his solo career, he’s sold over 32 million albums and 56 million singles globally, making him one of the world’s best-selling music artists. Timberlake is the recipient of numerous awards, including ten Grammy Awards, four Emmy Awards, three Brit Awards, and nine Billboard Music Awards. According to Billboard in 2017, he is the best performing male soloist in the history of the Mainstream Top 40. Time Magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2007 and 2013.
Renowned for his boy band years in NSYNC to a spectacular solo career, Timberlake is a well-known golf fanatic. As part-owner of his home state Memphis Grizzlies NBA team, he is in his element at Lake Tahoe where big name sports celebrities have competed since the event debuted in 1990. Timberlake’s best finish from three previous appearances is 21st place in 2016.
The tournament’s field of Hall of Famers features Jerry Rice, Steve Young, Marcus Allen, Tim Brown, Ray Allen, Ivan Rodriguez, Charles Woodson, Brian Urlacher, Trevor Hoffman, Jerome Bettis, Terrell Davis, Mike Modano, John Smoltz, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Charles Barkley. Along with three-time winner Mark Mulder and defending champion Tony Romo, past champions are two-time winners Mark Rypien and actor Jack Wagner.
Entertainers and comedians feature Larry the Cable Guy, Ray Romano, Alfonso Ribeiro, Willie Robertson, Wagner, Miles Teller, Rob Riggle, Brian Baumgartner, and Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts.
Four women will compete: Kira Kazantsev, 2015 Miss America; Dylan Dreyer, Today Show meteorologist; Lisa Cornwell, Golf Channel host; and Kathryn Tappen, NHL on NBC host.
Six current NFL head coaches will be taking their final break prior to training camp, including first-timers Anthony Lynn, Chargers; Matt Nagy, Bears; Frank Reich, Colts; and Mike Vrabel, Titans; with returnees Doug Pederson, Eagles; and Sean Payton, Saints.
The annual tournament has raised more than $5 million for multiple national and area charities and offers free admission to military personnel and guests. With major television exposure (NBC Sports, NBCSN, Golf Channel) and a purse of $600,000, the American Century Championship is the most prestigious celebrity tournament in golf. The 2019 event tees off Friday-Sunday July 12-14 at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course, a Top 100 rated course on the shores of the largest alpine lake in North America.
Tickets are available at the gate for $20 each day Tuesday through Thursday, and $30 daily Friday through Sunday with advanced tickets available online. Kids 10 and under receive free admission – limit two, when accompanied by a paying adult. Active Duty, Reservists, National Guard, Military Retirees, and Veterans receive one complimentary ticket and one complimentary guest ticket for each day.
For tournament information: www.AmericanCenturyChampionship.com. For lodging packages: www.TahoeSouth.com.