The 31st annual American Century Championship, which features top athletes and celebrities, will be played on July 8-12 without spectators at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, Nev., because of the Coronavirus pandemic, tournament organizers announced.
Edgewood Tahoe is located just over the California border.
“Once our due diligence established that the tournament could be conducted safely, we were compelled to do everything possible to go forward in support of our friends in the Lake Tahoe resort community, who have hosted the event for 30 years,” American Century Investments CEO Jonathan Thomas said in a release.
The tournament will be televised by NBC Sports, and the $600,000 purse will be donated to local and national charities that aid in CovidVID-19 relief.
More than $5 million has been donated to charities by the tournament over the years.
“While this 31st edition will be different than any previous tournament, this demonstrates a unique example of prominent stakeholders supporting each other and in turn, the destination and the community that absolutely loves this event,” said Carol Chaplin, president and CEO of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority
Tony Romo, CBS Sports announcer and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, is the two-time defending champion and is expected to try for his third straight title.
Last year, Romo became the fourth player in tournament history to successfully defend the title and he donated the $125,000 first prize to official tournament charity Stowers Institute for Medical Research.
“The event has a tremendous tradition and is critical to that beautiful resort region,” Romo said. “It’ll be fun to try to win again, but the sense of community and charity fundraising will be most important.”
Mark Mulder, who pitched for the Oakland Athletics, won the tournament three straight years before Romo and is also expected to play.
Others who have played in the tournament include Steph Curry, Charles Barkley, Aaron Rodgers, Ray Romano, John Elway, Jerry Rice and Justin Timberlake.
Activity on the beach along Hole No. 17 will be curtailed, although there is no way to eliminate the boats that congregate there. However, spectators in the boats will not be allowed on the shore or to throw balls and other items to the golfers, as is the custom.
