Stephen Curry Breaks Through in Golf Channel Charity Challenge

Photo of Curry courtesy of American Century Championship

South Shore, Lake Tahoe, Nev. – Stephen Curry has quickly earned his mark as one of the best NBA sharp-shooters in his first four seasons with the Golden State Warriors. Saturday at the American Century Golf Championship, Curry proved to be the best sharp-shooter among the early wave of celebrities when he took only :02 seconds to break a glass pane from 15 yards away in a Big Glass Break Challenge for charity offered by the Golf Channel.

Curry earned money for the charity of his choice by connecting with his first swing. Former pitcher Derek Lowe also was on target with his first swing, but got his shot off a second later than Curry.

Following behind Curry and Lowe were former quarterback Mark Rypien and retired hockey player Joe Sakic, who broke the glass with their second shots.

They made it look easy. But for some of the other celebrities and a few media folks who jumped in, it was a struggle. Head media official Phil Weidinger took about a minute to find the target, But, I was even worse.

It took me 14 swings and 1:42 to find the glass with a borrowed 4-iron, following on the heels of retired NFL running back Jerome Bettis, who used a 5-iron and connected with his third shot in :21 seconds

Clearly, many athletes are versatile and accomplished. But sports writers and media officials should stick to what they know best: writing about others who know what they are doing on the playing field.

Curry, who is playing in his second celebrity Championship, is in the hunt for the title as well, The Davidson College standout who averaged 29 points a game as a senior, was within striking distance of the leaders with 18 holes to play. The event uses a modified Stableford format.

The 24th American Century Championship continues through the weekend with television coverage by NBC on Saturday and Sunday from 3-6 p.m. (EDT).


By Craig Smith, former director of media relations for the U.S. Golf Association.