The 35th American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament is set to take place at South Lake Tahoe, with practice rounds beginning on Wednesday and the actual three-day tournament scheduled for Friday to Sunday. Fans can purchase tickets online at americancenturychampionship.com for $40 on Wednesday and Thursday, and $50 each day for Friday and Sunday. Saturday tickets were reported to be sold out as of Monday afternoon, with a grounds pass for all five days available for $150.
The atmosphere at the tournament is typically reserved and respectful, similar to PGA Tour events, but excitement builds near the green on hole No. 16 and peaks at the tee box on No. 17, which runs along the beach at Edgewood. No. 17 is known as the party hole, with hundreds of boats in the water and thousands of spectators on the sand. Music plays from the boats, and fans throw footballs and basketballs to the golfers, often with pens attached for autographs. Celebrities can also attempt long-distance shots with a portable basketball hoop set up near the tee box.
The celebrities participating in the tournament are generally friendly and there to enjoy themselves, with only a handful having a realistic shot at winning. Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry, the defending champion, will not be competing in this year’s tournament as he is preparing for the Paris Summer Olympics. The first groups tee off at 7:45 a.m. local time, with the winner typically finishing their round around 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Record-high temperatures are expected during the tournament, with afternoon highs in the low 90s at Lake Tahoe. There is a slight chance of mountain showers and thunderstorms on Friday and Saturday, with average July temperatures ranging from the high 70s to mid-80s. The event will be held at an elevation of 6,225 feet above sea level, with intense sun exposure.
The tournament will utilize a Modified Stableford scoring format, awarding points per hole for double-eagles, hole-in-ones, eagles, birdies, pars, bogeys, and double bogeys. The event will be televised by the Golf Channel and NBC Sports, as well as streamed on Peacock. The first round will be broadcast on Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., the second round on Saturday from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., and the third round on Sunday from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
