STATELINE, Nev. – Every year, the American Century Championship has seen an influx of female competitors, and this year is no different. As practice rounds for the ACC kick off on Wednesday July 8, five women have hit the green running.
Kathryn Tappen
With hot pink nails and a dazzling smile, Emmy Award-winning, NBC sportscaster and host, Kathryn Tappen, graced Edgewood once again with her return to the celebrity golf tournament. Fresh off the heels of her coverage of the Winter Olympics, Tappen told the Tribune she feels great during Wednesday’s practice.
“This is the best week of the year,” Tappen said. “We’re having fun, and I’m seeing how tricky these greens are right now so I know for the weekend.”
Highlights for Tappen include supporting American Century and the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, but above all, the example she sets for young girls who are watching her is a big reason why she comes back.
“I want to see a lot of women out here in the field,” she said. “I see the smiling faces of little girls as we play. They just want to see somebody out here representing women, so we’re doing that.”
Hally Leadbetter
Daughter of PGA legend, David Leadbetter, and LPGA touring professional golfer, Kelly Leadbetter, Hally Leadbetter is top-tier female competitor in the sport. As a standout junior player in the American Junior Golf Association, Leadbetter went on to play golf for the University of Arkansas before transferring to Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. She has built her legacy as a golf media personality, broadcaster, producer and entrepreneur. It’s safe to say, she’ll be bringing her A-game this weekend.
Dylan Dreyer
Prior to her live coverage of the ACC on Thursday, July 9, anchor for the TODAY Show and NBC News meteorologist, Dylan Dreyer, made a stop at Wednesday’s practice rounds to hit some balls. Dreyer, who is known for her transparency and advocacy for a number of women-related issues, including miscarriages and infertility, won second place in last year’s Celebrity Karaoke Contest and although she isn’t playing in this year’s tournament, sets the bar for women who like to get out on the green (or the stage) and have some fun.
Cathy Engelbert
Boss and business woman, Cathy Engelbert is the first-ever commissioner of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She made her ACC tournament debut in 2025 where she scored 74th place and outperformed a few notable figures on the leaderboard, finishing ahead of actor Miles Teller and NFL quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence and Baker Mayfield. Engelbert has returned for a second year and was out on the course during Wednesday’s practice round, getting a feel for the green and getting back in the swing of things here in Tahoe.
Gabby DeGasperis
The youngest player out on the green today, Gabby DeGasperis, 18, also known as “Gabby Golf Girl” is a social media sensation and brand ambassador for TravisMathew. She has gone head to head with 2023 ACC winner, Steph Curry in a one-on-one match – and won. She has over 200,000 subscribers on YouTube, and across all her platforms including TikTok, Instagram and Facebook, she has amassed nearly 2 million followers. DeGasperis’ start at the age of five and her success in junior golf tournaments proves she’s no rookie to this game. She won’t be competing in the tournament this weekend, but still came to Edgewood to show off her skills in the Celebrity Am.
