STATELINE, Nev. – As the American Century Championship (ACC) gears up for its 37th year of celebrity golf on the beautiful southeast shores of Lake Tahoe at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course, the tournament has played host to iconic hole-in-ones, dramatic national announcements, and celebratory lake dives. 

“The event has raised more than $8 million for charity including 90+ non-profits in South Lake Tahoe, Tahoe Township and Douglas County,” said Phil Weidinger, Principal and Chief Incite Officer at Weidinger Public Relations.

Weidinger, who over the last 35 years has seen it all during his time handling public relations for the American Century Championship, shared a few of his favorite moments, including a player meeting in 2017 where Jonathan Thomas introduced a special guest – former president Bill Clinton. 

“I have never seen anyone work a room like that,” Weidinger recalled. “When [Clinton] walked by me, he stretched out his hand and asked, ‘What’s your name?’ I said, ‘My nickname is Dinger.’ He said, ‘Well, Dinger, what do you do for the tournament?’ and I told him, ‘PR and media room operations – as a matter of fact we’d love to have you visit tomorrow for a press conference.’ He laughed, patted me on the shoulder and said in that high-pitched voice, ‘Well, I think I’ve already done enough of them over the years.’ – Hey, I’m a PR guy and had to try, right?”

Another highlight for Weidinger was in 1998 when Mario Lemieux sank a 5-foot putt on hole 18 to win.

“He was originally a 40:1 bet in the sports book and I had $100 on him! $4,000 bonus that week! Plus, his caddie, local Scott Rahbeck, is the son of good friends,” he said.

During its inaugural year in 1990, the ACC featured 45 celebrities and attracted approximately 1,500 fans. Fast forward to 2025, and the event has accumulated 90 celebrities and 84,321 in attendance. 

Let’s take a walk down memory lane to review some of the ACC’s most memorable moments throughout the years.

1996 – Announcement of Michael Jordan’s $30 million contract with the Chicago Bulls

While national legend, Michael Jordan, was participating in the 1996 celebrity golf tournament, his agent was negotiating a record-breaking deal to make Jordan the highest-paid NBA player in history.

The landmark $30 million, one-year contract with the Chicago Bulls was announced at the tournament, and as Jordan stood on the green of Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course, he confirmed the deal to the press. 

The deal would pave the way of the mega-contract era for professional athletes, and Tahoe was the first to bear witness.

2002 – NYFD September 11 first responders participate as “true celebrities”

Three New York City firemen who served at Ground Zero following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, were celebrated as “true celebrities” during the 2002 ACC celebrity golf tournament.

Kevin Shea, Engine 39, Joe Sheridan, Ladder 16, and John O’Brien, Squad 252, were honored as special guests and were recognized for their weeks spent performing strenuous search-and-rescue and recovery operations in the rubble of Ground Zero.

2005 – Historic settlement announced that ended the 2004-05 NHL lockout 

Following the failure to reach a new collective bargaining agreement, the NHL saw a devastating cancellation of their 2004-05 hockey season. 

On July 13, 2005 during the ACC, a historic agreement was finally made which would end the lockout. 

2007 – Charles Barkley’s community involvement following Angora Fire

Just one week before the start of the ACC, the wind-driven Angora Fire tore through El Dorado County, devastating the Lake Tahoe community and destroying over 270 homes. 

Charles Barkley not only donated $100,000 to relief efforts, he also had boots on the ground to meet locals affected by the fire. The following year, Barkley donated another $90,000, earning the title of “Mayor of South Lake Tahoe” as the tournament installed a plaque near the driving range to pay homage to his generosity. 

Barkley is returning again this year and is considered a long-standing celebrity golf ‘fan favorite’, having played in the tournament for 30 years. 

2020 – COVID-19 pandemic couldn’t stand in the way of the ACC

Ensuing the global shutdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament wasn’t allowed to host spectators, American Century Investment’s (ACI) corporate guests and had a limit on media coverage – this didn’t stop partners and organizers. 

“Jonathan Thomas, Chairman, President and CEO of American Century Investments decided to continue ACI’s active title sponsorship involvement and continue the tournament strictly because of the company’s relationship with the South Lake Tahoe community and the negative impacts he knew it could have,” said Weidinger. “He worked with the LTVA and NBC to help send a message of continuity and hope that the town was emerging from the pandemic and to demonstrate we were on the upswing during difficult times.”

Weidinger noted that the post-COVID events generated even greater loyalty and promoted a unique partnership not often seen in the business world. This will be ACI’s 28th year as a title sponsor. 

2020 – Mardy Fish’s record-breaking win 

Retired tennis player, Mardy Fish’s 37-point score in 2020 put him at the top of leader board as he broke the Edgewood Tahoe course record by scoring the most points ever in a round of golf at the ACC. 

After snatching his title with a 76- point win, Fish celebrated his victory by running exuberantly toward the water and taking a head-first dive into the crisp Lake Tahoe waves. 

He would go on to win another ACC title in 2024, and as of 2026, Fish’s record for most points in a round has yet to be beaten. Could this year be the year someone puts an end to his reign?

2021 – Vinny Del Negro’s hidden grief and unexpected win

Vinny Del Negro became the first basketball player and coach to win the ACC. Although his triumph came as a happy surprise, behind the scenes, Del Negro was grieving the loss of his father who passed away just one week earlier. He didn’t tell anyone until he was awarded the trophy.

“He shared his pain and broke down at the winner’s press conference in the media room talking about his dad, the impact his father had on him throughout his life, and knowing he would want Vinny to play that week instead of withdrawing from the tournament,” Weidinger recalled. “[He] said his Dad was with him all week urging him on.” 

2023 – Steph Curry’s 16-foot eagle secured his victory

Steph Curry proved that no matter what sport he’s playing, it would be foolish to count him out. 

Following a legendary ace at hole 7 the day prior which electrified viewers around the world, Curry was trailing just three points behind Fish, when Curry hit a long distance eagle putt to solidify his win as the ACC champion of 2023. 

“TV viewership broke records. The four-time NBA champion, two-time MVP and 9-time All-Star guard, and Olympic Gold Medal winner transferred the same sense of drama, style, energy and clutch play exhibited on the basketball court to the golf course,” said Weidinger. “Tahoe turned into an absolute ‘Glad-House’.”

2024 – Tim Wakefield’s memorial donation announcement

Tim Wakefield, former Major League Baseball pitcher and cherished friend to many affiliated with the tournament, including players, sponsors and organizers, passed away unexpectedly in October of 2023 at the age of 57 due to brain cancer. His wife, Stacy, passed five months after her husband.

NBC and ACI announced they would each donate $10,000 toward the South Lake Tahoe Recreation and Aquatics Center which was still under construction at the time, with an annual contribution of $10,000 from the tournament in the years to come.

“Boston Red Sox teammates and ACC players, Kevin Millar and Derek Lowe, were also at the announcement talking about Tim – what a great teammate and person he was,” said Weidinger.

Both Millar and Lowe will be at the upcoming ceremony to honor Wakefield and celebrate his legacy on Tuesday, July 7 at the Recreation and Aquatics Center.

2025 – Jimmy Rollins’ boat-winning ace 

Jimmy Rollins, MLB’s beloved baseball shortstop, scored a hole-in-one on hole 12 during the 2025 celebrity golf tournament. 

The day would prove to be not only his best score thus far throughout the tournament, but a prize-winning venture as Rollins took his new boat for a swing on the crystal-blue waters of Lake Tahoe following his triumph.