Rick Rhoden wins the 20th annual Celebrity Golf Championship!

With a total score of 74 points, former MLB Pitcher Rick Rhoden wins the 2009 American Century Championship.  Rhoden somehow squeaked out his 8th Celebrity Championship even though he posted a 2 over par round with four bogies and only 2 birdies for the day.  This is the first time Rhoden has won this tournament in consecutive years, is this the start of a new streak? Finishing second was Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo just 1 birdie away from Rhoden.  Romo shot a 1 under par round of 71 and played consistent golf all day long. Romo made it interesting by making 3 birdies on his last 5 holes.  Coming in a tie for third was 4 time Celebrity Champion Dan Quinn and 2 time Celebrity Champion Billy Joe Tolliver.  Tolliver started off the day on fire with 4 birdies on his front nine and no bogies. He also shot the lowest score for the day but a couple of bogies down the stretch kept Billy Joe from his third Championship. 

The NHL fairs well this year with 5 players in the top 10 including Dallas Stars All Star Mike Modano.  Modano posted a round of 3 under par today placing him in 7th place.  Jeremy Rhoenick, Pierre Larouche and Grant Fuhr all played solid to give the NHL the most players near the top of this year's tournament. 

Well now for the not so good.  It was neck and neck between Sir Charles Barkley and MMA Fighter Chuck Liddell.  Barkley does take the honors for the worse score with a total of minus 97 points just edging out Liddell's minus 94.  I wonder if we will see a sequel to "The Haney Project" with both Barkley and Liddell as the stars.  That's it from Edgewood, see you next year.

Geoff Burke    Tahoecelebritygolf.com   

Final round is underway

The action is heating up in the final round of the American Century Celebrity Championship.  Second round leaders are off to a slow start, Grant Fuhr took a double bogey on the par 4 second hole while Rick Rhoden bogied the par 5 third hole opening the door for players like Dan Quinn and Jeremy Rhoenick.  Quinn has birdied 2 of his first 3 holes and Rhoenick posted an eagle on the par 5 fourth hole. First round leader Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo is only 3 points back playing solid golf today with 1 birdie so far.  Also on the move is former QB Billy Joe Tolliver.  Tolliver has a couple of birdies through 5 holes today and usually plays well on the front nine.  It looks like it's any of these guys can win this tournament and it will probably come down to the final putt on 18.  It's back out to action for me.

Geoff Burke   Tahoecelebritygolf.com

Round two is the books!

After day two of the 2oth American Century Celebrity Golf Championship we have a tie atop the leaderboard between NHL Hall of Fame Goalie Grant Fuhr and former MLB Pitcher Rick Rhoden both with 56 points.  Both Fuhr and Rhoden posted 5 under par rounds of 67.  Rhoden made 8 birdies in his round today including birdies on his last 4 holes.  Fuhr played well today sinking 2 eagle putts on the par fives scoring a total of 32 points which is a new single day point record.  The leaders are 7 points ahead of second place contenders Tony Romo and 4 time Celebrity Champion Dan Quinn.  Quinn climbed the leader board today by posting a 4 under par round of 68 scoring 28 points for the day.  Also scoring well today were Hockey greats Jeremy Roenick with 27 points and Brett Hull with 26 points.  Six celebrity golfers posted rounds under par today, not bad!  

The race for last place is still between  MMA Fighter Chuck Liddell and NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley.  Barkley gained a little bit of ground today on Liddell by scoring negative 31 points for the day. Liddell on the other hand bettered his first round score by only scoring negative 28 points. 

Looks like someone will have to go really low tomorrow to contend with the leaders but it is possible.  See you tomorrow.

Geoff Burke   Tahoecelebritygolf.com

Day two from the Celebrity Championship

Round two is already underway and the birdies are flying around the course. NHL Hall of Fame Goalie, Grant Fuhr, is currently in the lead after posting 2 birdies and an eagle through his first 6 holes. First round leader Dallas Cowboys QB, Tony Romo, has all par's so far after his first 6 holes and is 4 points behind Fuhr with 33 points. 7 time Celebrity Golf Champion, Rick Rhoden is holding steady in second just one point behind the leader. Making a move today is actor Jack Wagner scoring 16 points with 4 birdies on his front nine so far. 2 time Celebrity Golf Champion Billy Joe Tolliver is also on the move posting birdies on his front nine.

As a special treat today the Food Network's own Guy Fieri is cooking up some grub on the 17th hole at Edgewood. Fieri plans to make a Pork en Fuego sandwich for both Celebrities and fans. The popular Food Network Star rolled in to Tahoe in a custom golf cart complete with flames on the side and a lift kit with big tires. Fieri's cart is also equipped with nitrous and a rocking stereo. You just never know who will show up at this event. The action is really heating up today so it's back out to the course for me.

Geoff Burke Tahoecelebritygolf.com

Dallas Cowboys Quarterback leads after round 1

Cowboys Quarterback Tony Romo leads after round 1 of the 20th annual American Century Celebrity Golf Championship. Romo fired a 3 under par round of 69 scoring a total of 27 points for the day. Tony had 7 birdies today with only 2 bogies and one double bogey. Coming in second today with 25 points is none other than 7 time Celebrity Golf Champion Rick Rhoden. The former MLB Pitcher posted a 2 under par round of 70 with 5 birdies for the day. It would be hard to bet against Rhoden at this point in time with such a strong start to this Championship. 2 other former champions of this tournament round out the top 5. 3 time winner former NHL Center Dan Quinn and 2 time winner former NFL Quarterback Billy Joe Tolliver both scored a total of 21 points today only a couple of birdies away. Early leader NHL All Star Mike Madano ended up in a tie for 14th place with Fox Sports Announcer Joe Buck and Actor Jack Wagner, all still within striking distance. MMA Fighter Chuck Liddell holds steady in last place with minus 36 points only 6 points in front of Sir Charles Barkley. We will be back tomorrow with more updates on the leaders.

Geoff Burke Tahoecelebritygolf.com

Day one at Lake Tahoe

The first round is officially underway at the 20th American Century Celebrity Golf Championship. We have some new faces atop this morning's leader board. NHL All Star Center, Mike Madano is currently in a three-way tie with former NFL Quarterbacks Trent Dilfer and Vinny Testaverde all with 17 points. The Stableford scoring system used for this tournament rewards players with points. A double eagle is worth 10 points, hole in one 8 points,eagle is 6 points, birdie is 3 points, par is 1 point, bogie is 0 points and double bogie or worse is minus 2 points. Speaking of a hole in one, the first ace was carded by former NFL Running Back Marshall Faulk. Faulk's hole in one occurred on the par 3 17th hole just a few minutes ago.

A few more new faces that are performing well today are Fox Sports Announcer Joe Buck and Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt. First timer MMA Fighter Chuck Liddell is edging out former MLB Outfielder Darryl Strawberry and NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley for last place.

We have real time scoring from our Tournament Action page so get updates of your favorite celebrities here.

Geoff Burke Tahoecelebritygolf.com

It's a Numbers Game

Wondering who might win this years American Century Celebrity Golf Championship? Your answer might be as close as the casino sports book odds sheet.

Former MLB All-Star Pitcher Rick Rhoden is the odds on favorite at 9/5, which comes as no surprise since he's won this tournament a record seven times. NFL All-Pro QB Tony Romo, in only his second appearance, is favored at 3/1 with Former NHL Center Dan Quinn, former NFL Quarterback Billy Joe Tolliver and NHL Hall of Fame goalie Grant Fuhr all at 5/1 odds. Quinn has won this tournament three times and Tolliver is a two time champion making them both safe bets.

Longer odds players who have a real chance to be in the hunt on Sunday are actor Jack Wagner (7/1) and Former NHL All-Stars Pierre Larouche (10/1) and Brett Hull (15/1). All three finished tied for 5th place in 2008, only six points behind Rhoden's winning score of 68 points.

On the other hand if you have money to burn and believe in miracles place your bets on comedian/actor Ray Romano (200/1), NFL All-Time Rushing Leader Emmitt Smith (200/1) or actor Kevin Nealon (500/1). Charles Barkley's opening line was 500/1 but dropped to 499/1 as of July 15. After months of training with renowned golf coach Hank Haney, many thought Barkley might find his game before this years tournament. It seems the sports handicappers aren't so optimistic.

All odds listed above are subject to change.

Stan Bautista Tahoecelebritygolf.com

2009 LTVA Celebrity-Am Tournament

The 20th anniversary of the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship officially got underway today with the LTVA Celebrity-Am Tournament. This best ball Stableford scoring event partners four amateurs with a celebrity in a test of Edgewood's tournament tough layout. More than just a round of golf, players are treated to an exclusive breakfast, gift bag worth over $250 and an awards luncheon with their celebrity following play. This year's list of celebrities included the likes of World Class Skier, Bode Miller, former NFL All-Pro QB, Steve Bartkowski and NHL Hall of Fame Goalie, Grant Fuhr.

The winning team this year was headed up former NFL QB, Billy Joe Tolliver. Tolliver is a 2-time winner of this championship and is always a crowd favorite. Coming in second was the group of Cleveland Browns QB, Derek Anderson. Anderson is a first timer to this event and looks to be staring it off on the right foot. San Jose Sharks All Star Center, Jeremy Roenick helped his group to a third place finish and a trip to the tournament podium as well bragging rights.

A few big time celebrities were also seen on the course sharpening up their skills and getting ready for this weekend. NFL Hall of Fame QB, John Elway was playing in a group with former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, and former Bronco's Safety, John Lynch. The orange and blue were well represented today. NBA Superstar, Michael Jordan got in a friendly round with former Pittsburgh Steelers RB, Jerome Bettis. The "Bus" and "MJ" went through some cigars today. Actor Jack Wagner, NHL Hall of Famer, Mario Lemieux and Three time Celebrity Champion, Dan Quinn were also seen getting some practice in today. It's only Tuesday and the star power is already heating up. Early days are always great for getting up close with your favorite celebrity. Stay tuned to Tahoecelebritygolf.com for all the early round action.

Geoff Burke Tahoecelebritygolf.com sports writer

2009 Celebrity Golf Tournament is almost here!

With the 2009 American Celebrity Golf Championship just a week away the excitement around the Edgewood Tahoe golf course is heating up. The golf course is in great shape and as usual the weather should be perfect for the 20th anniversary of this star-studded event. Speaking of stars, there are almost 20 first timers to the event this year. Athletes such as Buffalo Bills QB, Trent Edwards, former NFL All-Pro Safety, John Lynch, MMA fighter Chuck Liddell and Houston Rockets Forward, Shane Battier are among those scheduled to attend. I wonder if Battier is rested up enough after trying to guard Kobe Bryant durning the NBA Playoffs? Also teeing it up for the first time are Professional Poker Player, Daniel Negreanu and Actor Oliver Hudson from Rules of Engagement. However you like your celebrities, there is something for everyone at this year's tournament.

Most of the talk around the golf community has to be about the swing of former NBA All-Star Charles Barkley. Earlier this year Sir Charles was paired up with Tiger Wood's guru swing coach, Hank Haney in a Golf Channel series call "The Haney Project". If anyone could fix the worst swing in golf it had to be Hank. Charles seemed to be making great progress, but under pressure he would always revert back to his old self. This is the first time Charles will test his new swing in the heat of competition and I can't wait to see what happens. I wonder if the Casino's are taking odds on this one?

If you're lucky enough to be attending this year's tournament I hope to see you up in Lake Tahoe. Don't forget you can always log onto www.tahoecelebritygolf.com to catch up on all the action.