While our main focus is Las Vegas golf, we sometimes venture to other locales, including our sister destination up North that includes Lake Tahoe. It seems we aren’t alone as both The Miz and Charles Barkley can’t get enough of the area’s cool temps, majestic views and courses.–By Brian Hurlburt, Founder.
The massively popular American Century Championship celebrity event is scheduled for July 6-9, 2022, and is televised by NBC. A full-capacity crowd, both on the course and on the beautiful surrounding beaches and shorelines, is expected since Covid-19 restrictions are no longer in place.
While the celebrity summer party is on again, it’s important to note that the Lake Tahoe area is ready and waiting for Vegas golfers throughout the summer (and winter, if snow recreation is also your thing).
But first things first. Both Barkley, a former NBA superstar and host on TNT’s “Inside the NBA”, and The Miz, an entertainer extraordinaire and WWE superstar, can’t wait for American Century Championship week.
“I feel really good and I’m excited, and I look forward to coming to Lake Tahoe, one of my favorite places in the world,” Barley said via Zoom during the official American Century Championship media event. “The fans are great. The one year with no fans, it just sucked. It was a little bit better last year but I’m glad to have them back. (I love) Lake Tahoe. it is like the only place in the world that ain’t hot. No matter where I’m at, if I’m at my house in Arizona, we know it’s hot as hell. If I’m in Philly for the summer, it’s hot. When I fly to Lake Tahoe, I’m like, ‘damn, how in the world is this the only cool place in the world? The weather always seems to be 70 degrees, never humidity, a nice little breeze. I cannot wait to get there.”
Barkley is a long shot to win the celebrity competition and is a realist about his chances. The Miz is also a longshot, but maybe not so realistic about what lies ahead. Barkley jumped at the chance to let him know about it
The Miz attended the media event in Tahoe and went back-and-forth with Barkley.
“Listen, let’s be realistic, there’s probably five to 10 guys that can actually win this thing,” Barkley said. “The other 80-85 players, they’re there just to have fun, for shits and giggles, man.”
But the ever-positive The Miz has his own thoughts:
“I just played out there and I didn’t do real well, but in my head there’s something wrong with me when I literally think I can win this whole tournament. No doubt in my mind. Do you ever feel like you’re one of those guys, though? Do you ever think in your mind, like, ‘I can win this thing?'”
Barkley responded in true Sir Charles form.
“No, I’ve never been that drunk, Miz,” Barkley responded. “And you better think again (about winning). Let me tell you something, after you drill your first person your ass is going to come back to reality. I tell people, it’s all fun and games until after you hit the first person. And then you can barely take the club back. You’re shaking so much standing over the ball you’re, like, ‘I’m going to hit this ball 10 yards because I don’t want to hit anybody hard again.’ It’s very stressful.”
No matter, The Miz is still excited to experience his first American Century Championship and just getting into the field was a major goal. Visiting the Tahoe area for the first time cemented his affinity for what he has witnessed on TV while also revealing the challenge that lies ahead.
“The first thing that I think about Edgewood and this area is how gorgeous it is, but also, man, those trees are to be reckoned with,” said The Miz. “I was trying to slide it through and they were not allowing me to slide through.”
The celebrity field is possibly the strongest in event history, headlined by Patrick Mahomes, Steph Curry and Aaron Rodgers.
The field is deep throughout and includes Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, Justin Timberlake, Tony Romo, Annika Sorenstam, Colin Jost, Jake Owen, Ray Romano and Anthony Anderson. The lineup will include at least 13 Hall of Famers, 17 Most Valuable Player Awards, and multiple Cy Young Award winners. With Timberlake, Ray Romano, Mardy Fish, Anthony Anderson, Tony Romo and many more.
Vinny Del Negro is scheduled to return and defend his 2021 title.
Click for tickets and all American Century Championship information
A Vegas Golfer Getaway
For Vegas golfers, Tahoe is a terrific golf getaway during the summer months. A quick, one-hour flight and then a short drive to the lake is simple. Once there, a plethora of golf and resort options await.
And annually, the Southern Nevada Golf Association and Northern Nevada Golf Association work together to hold men’s and women’s Nevada State Golf Association events in the Northern region.
During the American Century Championship media event, the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority launched a new “Awe and Then Some” campaign to drive more visitors to the area.
It wasn’t lost on Tahoe leaders that Vegas residents are a nice target audience.
“During the pandemic, we began to see more Las Vegas visitors as our drive market increased and as convenient air service was plentiful,” says Carol Chaplin, President & Chief Executive Officer, Lake Tahoe Visitor Authority. “It has become one of our target markets. I think our message is that we have ‘Awe and then Some’ to share with them. Summer temperatures are refreshing, the Lake is invigorating and offers all types of recreation opportunities, the pine scented air is restorative and we’ve got loads of entertainment, dining and other activities to fill in the spaces after kayaking, hiking, mountain biking , golfing or just relaxing on one of the many beaches. It’s a fun and interesting drive from Las Vegas to Lake Tahoe, particularly if you take the TravelNevada recommendations for driving adventures. And it’s a quick flight from Las Vegas to Reno if it’s a shorter getaway people are looking for.”
There are plenty of golf options, headlined by Edgewood, the crown jewel of the Edgewood Tahoe Resort, which is located in the heart of Stateline, Nev.
The Edgewood course was created by George Fazio in 1968 and later renovated by his nephew, world-renowned golf architect Tom Fazio. It is a previous host of the USGA U.S. Public Links Championship and the 1985 US Senior Open Championship. The American Century Championship is an annual tradition on and off the course.
Other nearby courses include Lake Tahoe Golf Course, a fun and charming William Bell design played in the shadows of the majestic mountains. The course is the only in the area that is an official Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.
Views of Mt. Tallac, Twin Peaks, and the top of Heavenly are available from nearly every tee box, fairway and green, and the Upper Truckee River winds throughout the course. The water comes into play on seven holes, with lakes and streams in play on six others.
Other courses include Tahoe Paradise Golf Course, Genoa Lakes Golf Course, Carson Valley Golf Course, Bijou Municipal Golf Course and others.
About Lake Tahoe
Designated the “America’s Best Lake” by USA TODAY readers, Visit Lake Tahoe combines the distinctive appeal of two worlds: spectacular natural beauty and a modern tourism destination with an array of outdoor recreation, entertainment, nightlife and gaming. Tahoe’s timeless splendor and an emerging economic diversity toward health and wellness, green business practices and sustainability continue to define its inimitable personality. For information about lodging, recreation and family packages at South Lake Tahoe, call 1-800-288-2463 or log onto www.VisitLakeTahoe.com.