After much speculation, due to the myriad worldwide sports cancellations, there is some good news from the athletic world: The American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament will be held at Edgewood-Tahoe this July.
But in an unusual yet necessary twist, spectators will not be allowed on the course to see, talk to and interact with the celebrity golfers.
The 31st annual ACC tournament is set for July 8-12 at Edgewood. It will be televised by NBC Sports.
The tournaments’ entire $600,000 purse will be donated to local and national charities that aid in COVID-19 relief.
The tournament has donated more than $5 million to charities over the years.
Officials with the ACC said there is no way to allow spectators amid the ongoing pandemic.
“Once our due diligence established that the tournament could be conducted safely, we were compelled to do everything possible to go forward in support of our friends in the Lake Tahoe resort community, who have hosted the event for 30 years,” American Century Investments CEO Jonathan Thomas said in a news release.
Carol Chaplin, president and CEO of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, said holding the tournament sends a message of renewal for Lake Tahoe.
“While this 31st edition will be different than any previous tournament, this demonstrates a unique example of prominent stakeholders supporting each other and in turn, the destination and the community that absolutely loves this event,” Chaplin said.
Jon Miller, president of programming for NBC Sports, said it will be a challenge to televise the event, but said golf can played in a responsible, socially distanced way.
CBS Sports announcer and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is the two-time defending champion and he is expected to try for his third straight title.
Last year, Romo became the fourth player in tournament history to successfully defend the title. Romo donated the $125,000 first prize to official tournament charity Stowers Institute for Medical Research.
Romo expressed his support for the decision to hold the tournament this year.
“The event has a tremendous tradition and is critical to that beautiful resort region,” he said. “It’ll be fun to try to win again, but the sense of community and charity fundraising will be most important.”
Retired Major League Baseball pitcher Mark Mulder won the tournament three straight years before Romo and is also expected to play.
Celebrities who have previously appeared at Edgewood include Steph Curry, Charles Barkley, Aaron Rodgers, Ray Romano, John Elway, Jerry Rice, Tony Romo and Justin Timberlake.
It was not known as of Thursday if Timberlake will play in it again this summer.
With the NBA opening up the possibility of playing an abbreviated season and playoffs in July and August, it is not known if Curry or any other NBA players will be able to participate in the ACC this summer.
But a full field is expected and there is always a waiting list among celebrities eager to play in the event.
Activity on the beach along Hole No. 17 will be curtailed, although there is no way to eliminate the boats that congregate there.
But those in the boats will not be allowed on the shore or to throw balls and other items to the golfers, as is the custom.
Solidarity with Tahoe
Sponsor American Century wanted to have the tournament this summer for the continuity aspect and to show solidarity with the South Lake Tahoe community.
NBC and tournament partners at Edgewood Tahoe and host hotels developed a comprehensive safety plan that includes enhanced cleaning protocols at both the course and hotels, on-course sanitation stations and restrictions on large organized dinners and evening events.
Only the celebrities and essential tournament staff will be allowed on the course and all will be required to follow social distancing guidelines.
The competition is a 54-hole modified Stableford format tournament often referred to as the Super Bowl of celebrity golf.
Curry and Romo will be joined by Aaron Rodgers, Charles Barkley, Jerry Rice and entertainment personalities including Ray Romano, Alfonso Ribeiro and Larry the Cable Guy, among others. A total of 13 Hall of Famers and 19 active NFL, NBA and NHL players are expected.
Several NFL coaches are expected, including Sean Payton, Saints; Matt Nagy, Bears; and Frank Reich, Colts.
Additional celebrity commitments will be announced in mid-June.
First-timers who have committed include Chris Harrison of “The Bachelor;” former MLB stars Adrian Beltre, Chase Utley and Brian McCann; plus Cooper Kupp, wide receiver and Andrew Whitworth, offensive tackle of the Los Angeles Rams.
Jim Krajewski works for the Reno Gazette Journal, a member of the USA Today Network. Follow him on Twitter @RGJPreps.
