Sunday marked the final day of the American Century Championship (ACC) at Edgewood Tahoe, and the atmosphere was electric. The day saw calmer crowds, hotter temperatures, and a thrilling victory for former NHL forward Joe Pavelski. The tournament began with the starting tee-offs around 7:35 a.m., and the last group, which included Pavelski, left the 18th green around 3 p.m. The celebrities made their way through the course for the final time this summer, with South Tahoe Now intern Sabrina Philip rotating between holes one and 10 for several hours, interviewing celebrities and watching them compete for a higher position in the final player rankings. One of the most recognizable participants was TV host Chris Harrison, known for his role as host of “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette.” In an exclusive interview with South Tahoe Now, Harrison discussed the overlap between the drama of reality TV and the pressure of golf.
“The pressure definitely reminds me of reality TV,” said Harrison. “Especially for the contestants. They’re making this kind of in-the-moment, heartfelt, but also gut-wrenching, decision. You don’t want to make a mistake. You’ve got to kind of trust your instincts. So there’s a lot of parallels.”
Harrison also shared his thoughts on who he would give “final roses” to for most improved player and the best performing player, awarding them to Philadelphia 76ers point guard Kyle Lowry and former United States Men’s National Soccer Team forward Taylor Twellman, respectively.
- Fox News host Brett Baier
- Charlotte Hornets guard Seth Curry
- Former NBA guard Dell Curry
These three participants received praise for their performances, with Baier speaking to South Tahoe Now about the overlap between political commentating and golf.
“First of all, I think this is more pressure,” said Baier. “I talk to, you know, four million people at night, but when I’m turning on a golf ball in front of 200 people, it’s a much different pressure. But, it is similar because you got to be in the moment.”
Other participants, such as Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams, appreciated the opportunity to play in their home state and spend time with family. Adams expressed his gratitude for the support system in the area, saying, “It feels awesome. It’s great, because obviously you’ve got a big support system that’s out this way. I have a really good time coming out here and enjoying the golf aspect, and then football, having my family close, it means a lot too.”
| Participant | Team/Position | Team/Position | |
| Trevor Lawrence | Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback | Seahawks quarterback | Buffalo Bills quarterback |
| Sam Darnold | Seahawks quarterback | Buffalo Bills quarterback | Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback |
| Josh Allen | Buffalo Bills quarterback | Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback | Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback |
| Baker Mayfield | Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback | Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback | Aaron Rodgers |
| Tony Romo | Former NFL quarterback and 2018, 2019, and 2022 tournament winner |
These 11 former and active NFL quarterbacks were among the many participants who shared a common thread – their careers. Romo commented on the number of quarterbacks in the tournament, saying, “I think quarterbacks just love the challenge. It’s like throwing mechanics, very similar to golf. Trying to, you know, figure it out, how to throw, how to figure out the defense. Golf’s the same way, trying to figure it out.”
Lawrence, who was experiencing his second year at the tournament, shared his thoughts on playing with other quarterbacks, stating, “Aaron’s playing good this week. He’s always kind of in the mix. Josh is a good player, but I don’t know. The guys at the top are so good, it’s tough for us to compete.”
No MasterCraft boats were won on the 12th hole on Sunday, but the excitement surrounding Jimmy Rollins’ hole-in-one on Saturday continued. Fans were still talking about Rollins’ achievement, which earned him a new boat. Final Round Highlights
The remainder of the tournament entailed players finishing their finals rounds and taking celebratory pictures before the tournament ended. The crowd gathered on the 18th hole to try and interact with their favorite celebrity for the last time, yelling for photos, autographs, and even the player’s gloves or golf balls.
“I think the number one objective this week was to make a hole-in-one and get a new boat,” said Pavelski in the press conference following his win. “Actually, it was probably the second. I really wanted to win.”
Pavelski’s victory was met with joy from his family, friends, and caddie. After thanking his fellow players and receiving the trophy, Pavelski completed his celebration with a jump in the lake. His win was a testament to his hard work and dedication, and he was thrilled to have finally secured the title of ACC winner.
