Almost every major sport is represented, but the winner of the celebrity golf tournament almost always comes from baseball or football.
In the last 33 tournaments, there have been 10 NFL quarterbacks up for grabs and 11 MLB pitchers.
So is there a rivalry between athletes in different sports?
Joe Pavelski, a hockey player for the Dallas Stars, says there’s no real rivalry between the sports, but they take pride in representing their field.
“I think it’s nice when you win for your sport,” said Pavelski, who previously played for the San Jose Sharks. “It hasn’t been a hockey player who’s won it in a while. So that would be nice. I don’t think there’s anything crazy about it other than definitely wanting to represent your sport.”
Vinny Del Negro, who played and coached in the NBA, won the ACC in 2021. He was the first basketball player to win, but he said Steph Curry or Ray Allen could also win at Edgewood.
“The quarterbacks, the baseball pitchers and so on. Everyone is competitive. Everyone here is used to being successful in the arena,” said Del Negro. “When you’re in that area, it’s very difficult. You want to feel as comfortable as possible and try to compete at a high level. We know how difficult golf can be. We’re trying to be consistent as possible.”
Annika Sorenstam was a professional golfer and the highest-achieving female golfer of all time with 72 Pro Tour wins. She’s always among the top finishers at Edgewood, but hasn’t won it yet.
She plays from the men’s tees at Edgewood and is impressed by how well some of her Tahoe competitors are doing.
“These are just no ordinary golfers here. These are exceptional athletes and they are the best in their field. I think Vinny addressed it earlier. They are very competitive. They want to do things right,” Sorenstam said. “When I first played at one of the celebrity events I didn’t know what to expect. I was like, ‘Wow, these guys have great swings and a good feel on the greens. You play professionally. Everything about it.’ .’ I’m still super impressed after all these years.
She said her experience along with good chipping and putting helped her level the course. She said the other golfers would sometimes ask her for tips and hints.
“I have a lot of respect for these and the others and I have to do my best to even have a chance. No more tips. I’m done. I’ll make it quick,” Sorenstam said, smiling.
Celebrities have their say on Charles Barkley
Several of the golfers participating in this week’s tournament have their say on Charles Barkley’s ability to finish in the top 70 this week.
And they took the opportunity to do some digs in Barkley.
The bet is whether Barkley can finish in the top 70 in the 54-hole tournament. A “Yes” bet is +310 and a “No” bet is -400.
Over the past two years, Barkley placed 76th in 2021 and 74th in 2022.
Aaron Rodgers said Barkley could barely make it.
“Yes, he beats (Brian) Baumgartner. He will be in the top 70. Brian will be 71; he’ll be 70,” Rodgers said.
Steph Curry is constantly at odds with Barkley as each season he doubts the Warriors’ chances of winning the NBA championship.
Curry has another reason to believe Barkley doesn’t stand a chance.
“I’m just being spiteful because they hit me – he and Phil – on ‘The Match’ a long time ago and I didn’t manage to retaliate, so I’m a hater. “I don’t think he’s going to make it,” Curry said. (Match III, a televised golf matchup, pitted Barkley and Phil Mickelson against Curry and Peyton Manning.)
Barkley said he’s lost 30 pounds since last year but said that might not help him this week.
But Joe Theismann believes it will help him master the course at Edgewood.
“He’s lost about 60 pounds. He’s a lean, mean golf machine. I think he will finish in the top 70 this year. Larry The Cable Guy plays really good golf. I haven’t seen (Brian) Baumgartner, I haven’t seen what Brian does. But that’s the guys there together. But I think Charles will finish in the top 70 this year,” Theismann said.
Steph Curry’s father, Dell Curry, also said that Barkley will not make the top 70.
“Look, Charles is my type. We played in the league at the same time. Great guy. But there’s no chance he’ll make the top 70,” Dell Curry said.
David Wells is more confident Barkley can make it and says the weight loss means Barkley doesn’t get as tired on the track.
“Last year he was close (same place 74). We had hoped he would. His game has gotten a little better. I’ll bet my money on that,” Wells said.
Joe Pavelski also believes Barkley can do it.
“I think he will make it this year. He was close. He keeps working on his game. He loves to. He looks good. It seems he’s gotten over an issue or two,” Pavelski said.
Ray Allen has high but realistic hopes for Barkley.
“Outside the top 70. He’s changed his swing but I think he still gets a little nervous when he’s here,” Allen said. “He’s been doing this forever.” I want him to surprise me.”
Tahoe Celebrity Tournament TV Guide
- Friday: Peacock, NBC Sports Digital, 1-3 p.m.; GOLF Channel, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m
- Saturday: NBC, Peacock, 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m
- Sunday: NBC, Peacock, 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m
Jim Krajewski covers college, high school and youth sports for the Reno Gazette Journal. Follow him on Twitter @RGJPreps. Support his work by subscribing to RGJ.com.
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