Steph Curry doesn’t worry about a foul being called as he goes to block Joe Pavelski. Photo Copyright 2017 Carolyn E. Wright

By Kathryn Reed

STATELINE – Multi-sport athletes used to be the norm in high school; not so any more. But the pros, well, they are showing that they aren’t single sport wonders. Baseball, tennis, hockey and football players are in the top six spots after the first day of the American Century Championship.

It’s a who’s who of quarterback greats with Tony Romo, Alex Smith and John Elway. Photo Copyright 2017 Carolyn E. Wright

The three-day celebrity golf tournament at Edgewood Tahoe saw some familiar names in the running, with some newbies as well on July 14.

Pro Kids Golf Academy 2017 Charitable Beneficiaries. Over $100,000 in charitable proceeds were raised during the 2017 Celebrity Championship hosted by Marshall Faulk. The charitable proceeds will be donated to the following: The Junior Seau Foundation. Since its inception in 1999, the tournament has raised nearly $2 million on behalf of numerous San Diego based charities. This year, charitable proceeds will be donated to The Junior Seau Foundation and The Marshall Faulk Foundation. On the night before the start of the tournament a VIP fund raising event was held.

On June 21st, celebrities from around the world ascend onto the Marquette Golf Club in the Upper Peninsula to play and party for a wonderful cause. The event raises one third of Beacon House’s.

Jermaine Dye (Chicago White Sox, 2005 World Series MVP) hosted the 5th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic May 5-6, 2019 to benefit Fresh Start Caring For Kids Foundation. Fresh Start Caring For Kids Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing children with no-cost reconstructive surgery and follow-up medical care. The former major league pitcher shot a 3-under 69 - the first sub-70 round of the tournament - and had 48 points after two rounds in the modified Stableford event.

Former Major League pitcher Derek Lowe took top honors on Day 1 with 25 points. (The ACC uses a Stableford format for scoring.)

Mardy Fish sizes up his putt on hole 10. Photo Copyright 2017 Carolyn E. Wright

Right behind him are Mardy Fish (24) and Joe Pavelski (23). Tied for fourth are Aaron Rodgers, Mark Mulder and John Smoltz, each with 22 points.

It’s like a receiving line between the holes 17 and 18 for ex-linebacker Brian Urlacher. Photo Copyright 2017 Carolyn E. Wright

Pairings on the first day are usually based on some commonality the players share. It was a multi-generational quarterback trio with John Elway, Tony Romo and Alex Smith. Former Braves’ pitching stars Greg Maddux, John Smoltz and Tom Glavine are a regular threesome. The Bay Area was represented by Steph Curry, Aaron Rodgers and Pavelski playing together.

With the Broncos quarterback situation not solidified, maybe John Elway, left, would like to lure Aaron Rodgers away from Green Bay. Photo Copyright 2017 Carolyn E. Wright

Deborah Edwards of Scottsdale, Ariz., was cognizant of where Elway was – she got hit by a ball two years ago at this tournament by an errant drive of his on the 17th hole. To this day she can feel where it hit her on the right side of her head.

On Friday, it was Lake Tahoe News photographer Carolyn Wright who walked off the course with a shiner thanks to Curry. He went up for layup on the 17th hole and ran into her.

Marshall Faulk Golf Tournament 2017 Leaderboard

For the uninitiated, it would be hard to know Steph Curry and Aaron Rodgers are in a golf tournament. Photo Copyright 2017 Carolyn E. Wright

Curry, Rodgers and Pavelski were having fun shooting hoops before teeing off. Rodgers was much better at throwing passes to the throng of spectators in boats lining the course than he was with sinking that large round ball into the net.

After teeing off, Curry ran a pattern resembling a wide receiver, with Rodgers stepping back in the pocket to deliver a perfect spiral to a sliding Curry. It’s not every day you get grass stains playing golf.

Charles Barkley replaces dad in the family portrait. Photo Copyright 2017 Carolyn E. Wright

Charles Barkley, who is well known for his anti-Warriors rhetoric, is well beyond his prime as a basketball star. Still, he was sauntering a bit after teeing off from the 10th hole. This is a huge change from a few years ago – pre-hip surgery – when he could barely get around.

On Friday he was playing to the crowd; “stealing” hats of young fans and posing for family pictures. Even though he is a perennial cellar dweller, the crowd loves him.

NBC sportscaster Kathryn Tappen signs an autograph as Charles Barkley takes the boy’s hat. Photo Copyright 2017 Carolyn E. Wright

Barkley was recognized on the 10th hole by the firefighting community for his generosity to the Angora Fire relief efforts. In 2007, he gave $100,000 and toured the burn area; two years later he donated $90,000. Last month marked the 10-year anniversary of the fire that leveled 254 houses on the outskirts of South Lake Tahoe.

Large galleries follow the more popular players. Photo Copyright 2017 Carolyn E. Wright

Today most of the pairings are based on how the players did Friday. One notable exception is that Curry (23rd place) and Romo (20th) will be playing with Justin Timberlake (53rd). Curry and Timberlake are two of the players who get special security provided by Douglas County sheriff’s deputies. Some of these superstars come with their own security and have an entourage of people.

Marshall Faulk Golf Tournament 2017 Bracket

Deputy Chris Wiggins was with Timberlake on July 14; standing guard making sure fans behaved themselves.

Entertainer Justin Timberlake, center, is playful on the course. Photo Copyright 2017 Carolyn E. Wright

“He usually doesn’t need us. He has his own people,” Wiggins told Lake Tahoe News. “We walk every hole with them.”

Marshall Faulk chips the ball out of the sand on hole 18. Photo Copyright 2017 Carolyn E. Wright

Fans do the same thing – some following a particular player on all 18 holes, others are perched in one spot waiting for everyone to come through.

Marshall Faulk Golf Tournament 2017 Results

Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux on their way down the fairway of hole 17. Photo Copyright 2017 Carolyn E. Wright

Hole 17 is the busiest, with the crowd several people deep on the sand and grass. This is party central. While golf is usually a quiet sport, not so on this hole. It was almost comical as the official put his hands up for the spectators to hush as the players tee off only to have the music blaring from the speakers.

Marshall Faulk Celebrity Golf Tournament

Ex-Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is favored to win the tournament. Photo Copyright 2017 Carolyn E. Wright

Marshall Faulk Golf

The American Century Championship – it’s not your ordinary golf tournament.