2006 Commentary

Sunday, July 16, 2006 - Final Wrap

What a finish! Actor Jack Wagner wins the 17th annual American Century Championship in dramatic fashion by sinking a 14 foot putt for birdie on the final hole. Wagner becomes the first non "professional athlete" to win this event and seemed very proud of that fact in his press conference. Jack's victory was made even sweeter by the fact that his eldest son Peter carried his bag all weekend long. Not a bad payday for the 15 year old.

Despite a birdie on the final hole, 2 time event champion Billy Joe Tolliver, fell 1 point shy of successfully defending this championship. 4 time champion Dan Quinn had a very makeable eagle putt on the final hole that just missed. Both Quinn and Tolliver were very happy to see Wagner take the championship this year.

The best round of the day was turned in by Phoenix Coyotes assistant coach Grant Fuhr. This former NHL Goaltender posted a 2 under par round of 70, scoring +24 points for the day. Fuhr won the Stan Humphries Classic tournament earlier this year and comes in fourth just behind Dan Quinn today. First timer Ryan Longwell, Minnesota Vikings Placekicker, places in the top ten by posting a even par round of 72 scoring +22 points. Ryan must have taken lessons from Al Del Greco on how to hit his pitching wedge through the uprights on the football field. Former NFL Receiver Sterling Sharpe rounds out the top ten tied with Longwell at +52 points.

Sunday, July 16, 2006

The leaders are just about to make the turn and not much has changed except the size of defending champion Billy Joe Tolliver's lead. Posting 3 birdies and 1 par, Tolliver's lead has increased to +6 points over Dan Quinn. Quinn is having putter problems as he just 3 putted the last two greens. Actor Jack Wagner birdied both par 3's on the front nine keeping him only 1 point behind Quinn.

NHL assistant coach Grant Fuhr is making his presence felt scoring 3 birdies on his first nine holes. Fuhr is sitting alone in 5th place right behind hockey great Mario Lemieux. Super Mario is playing solid par golf, but he needs to post some birdies if he wants to catch the leaders. It seems to be becoming a three horse race and with 2 par 5's in the last 3 holes it is still wide open.

Saturday, July 15, 2006 Final Wrap

The second round of the American Century Championship is now complete. The top 3 spots stay the same with defending champion Billy Joe Tolliver in first with +51 points. 4- time event champion Dan Quinn posted a 2 under par round of 70 giving him second place just 2 points behind Tolliver. Also posting a round of 70 was Actor Jack Wagner. Wagner played the best golf of the three leaders tee to green, but couldn't score when he had the opportunities. Wagner is only a birdie and a par away from the leader.

NHL Hockey great Mario Lemieux made a solid move today. The future Hall of Famer scored the most points with +25 giving him fourth place at +44 points. St. Louis Rams All-Pro running back Marshall Faulk jumped into the top 10 today by scoring +22 points which included 4 birdies. Former MLB All-Star Vince Coleman and former NBA All-Star Dan Majerle round out the top 10 with +34 points. Sunday is shaping up to be a shoot out on the back nine, so stay with TahoeCelebrityGolf.com for all the latest.

July 15, 2006

It's moving day at the Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course with Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback Tommy Maddox shooting a near record nine holes at three under par earning himself 15 points at the turn. Also making a charge is former MLB Allstar Vince Coleman who shot a 35 on the front and picked up 14 points to propel himself up the leaderboard.

Nipping at the heels of Billy Joe Tolliver, our first round leader, are Dan Quinn and Jack Wagner. All playing in the final group, Wagner's one under 35 on the front has him within two points of Tolliver who shot one over with three bogies on his scorecard for nine holes. Quinn, who is the tournament's odds on favorite also posted 35 on the front nine leaving him tied for the lead.

Other players to watch are Dan Majerle, Mario Lemieux and Chris Chandler who are making their move up the leaderboard playing solid golf.

July 14, 2006

First round wrap up!

The first round of this year's American Century Championship is now in the books. Birdies and par's were the word of the day and the celebrities did not disappoint the crowd. Atop the leader board, after posting 6 birdies, is last year's champion Billy Joe Tolliver. Tolliver's solid round of 3 under par 69 gives him the first round lead with +27 points. Also posting a round of 69, which included 5 birdies, is 4 time event champion Dan Quinn. This former NHL Center has won this event 4 times and was the sportsbook favorite coming into this event with 6/5 odds. I am sure these two Celebrity Tour regulars will be around come Sunday.

Only two other players were able to shoot rounds under par today. Crowd favorite, actor Jack Wagner, posted a 1 under par round of 71. Wagner held the front nine lead but a bogey on hole 10 seemed to cool the soap opera star down. Former NFL All-Pro Safety, Dick Anderson, also posted a solid round of 71 scoring him +21 points only a couple of birdies away from the lead.

With the exception of Jack Wagner, the top ten is loaded with NFL and NHL greats. Former QB Chris Chandler is sitting pretty with +23 points which included an eagle on final hole. Hockey greats Mario Lemieux and Grant Fuhr are tied for 6th place with +19 points. It seems that the other professional sports celebrities have some catching up to do. Tomorrow is moving day so check back for updates and action.

Early first round action!

And they're off! The first round of the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship is under way. Al Del Greco, The 2000 Celebrity Golf Champion, has the early lead with 11 points after shooting even par on the front nine. This former NFL placekicker can go low when it counts. Del Greco has the best final round ever posted in this tournament with a 7 under 65.

Last year's Champion, Billy Joe Tolliver, is only two points behind Del Greco and does not have a bogey on his card yet. Watch out for Billy Joe if he can hold it together through the weekend.

Hockey great, Grant Fuhr winner on this year's Stan Humphries Celebrity tournament, is alone in second with 10 points. This year's early win has the former goalie playing with a lot of confidence.

Some surprise players are doing well this morning including former Phoenix Suns sharp shooter Dan Majerle has a solid front nine going with 8 points. Also holding fast at 8 points are 1998 Celebrity Championship winner, Mario Lemieux and Pittsburgh Steelers back up QB, Tommy Maddox. Looks to be shaping up to be a great event. Keep checking back for the latest and greatest at the Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course.

July 13, 2006

Lance Armstrong, seven time winner of the Tour de France, made a special stop in Lake Tahoe today to play in this year's American Century Celebrity Championship Pro Am. Fresh off hosting this year's ESPN Espy Awards last night, Armstrong spoke to a crowded press room about his foundation, future plans and of course his terrible golf game. Lance and his lucky foursome of golfers teed off just after noon today with a beautiful Lake Tahoe day ahead of them. After Lance finishes his 18 holes of golf, it is instantly off to France to see the remainder of this year's Tour de France through to the finish. Many thanks to Lance for fitting us into his super busy schedule.

GEOFF BURKE, TahoeCelebrityGolf.com Sports Editor

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