American Century Championship Flashbacks!
20 years and counting. Past attendees share their Tahoe Celebrity Golf Week Memorable Moments.
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| 7/21/09 -- I've attended this tournament since 1991, and look forward to it every year. In 1995 I had the pleasure of meeting my idol, Charles Barkley, and walking the course with him as he referred to me as "little lady." I cherish my years as a kid running up to athletes asking them for autographs. 20 years later, I'm still waiting for Michael Jordan's!
Candi Anderson, Wilton, California
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| 7/18/09 -- I traveled all the way from Baltimore to meet Michael Jordan. While I didn't get his autograph, I did get to shake his hand! Note - Joe Carter was the best of the best signing and taking photos for hours!
John Gugliuzza, Baltimore
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| 7/9/09 -- One year a fan was watching Jack Wagner and she called her sister on her cell with excitement and Jack took the phone and talked with her sister while he was waiting to tee off!
Jennifer, Cameron Park, Ca
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| A funny thing happened one year ... The tadpoles in the lakes by #1 and #10 and #14 hatched into tiny frogs, just before the tournament. So on tournament days, the Hole Reporter and Marshals were very busy gently nudging hundreds (no exaggeration) of frogs off the green, so the the players could putt and not step on or hurt the little creatures. It was pretty comical, because the frogs just jumped right back on the green.
I don't know if a frog is "rub of the green" or if you get relief.
Pat Zimmerman
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 We have been volunteering since 2006 and love our jobs as walking scorer and standard bearer. Our first year, we had the pleasure of meeting and walking with Carolyn Kepcher (The Donald's Apprentice on NBC) and Stone Phillips. They are the nicest, down to earth people. After the tournament play, we were fortunate enough to get a quick picture with Scott Hamilton, which I’ve been a fan of his for years. And later, some players signed golf balls for us. We designed and built a plaque to display the picture, their bio’s and our signed golf balls. We have the plaque hanging proudly in our billiards room; it’s quit a conversation piece.
Hank & Kathy Almeida
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 On a Saturday afternoon in 2005, my husband (Rick) and my Dad (Larry) were following Billy Joe Tolliver right up until hole 18. With the beauty of the lake in the backdrop, Billy Joe was putting for eagle. I was told by both men that it was a very intense moment, then a release of pure excitement from the crowd. Billy Joe had made the eagle on the 18th, which put him in the lead. Billy Joe than rolled the golfball right to my husband from the 18th green. Billy Joe went on to win the tournament in 2005. Pure Joy!!
Lisa Rohner
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| 6/19/09 -- Years ago I put a bench out for Charles Barkley. Exhausted when he arrived & golfers backed up...he sat down, sweating. I offerred him a banana, and he said "Do I look like a monkey?" No, I said, but your sweating like a pig, and I handed him a diet coke. The smile that came over him was just beautiful. Right then, a boy said "I can out drive you." The boy used Charles' club. He hit good. Charles hit the ball around 16 feet straight up. He smiled, and gave an autograph to the boy.
Mary Del Monte, Hole 16 Captain
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| 6/18/09 -- My most impressive memory was working as a Standard Bearer. We stay out of the way of the celebrity golfers and enjoy having a new group each day. We are the quiet workers. One outing, John Elway was in our group. When the 18 holes were done, as I always do, I stood around to shake everyone's hand that was in my group. John Elway apologized for not talking to me during the day, and took the time to have a well spent conversation with me. Situations like this keep me coming back. Plus working with the Zimmerman's.
Richard J. Brandt
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| 6/18/09 -- On my first day ever working the American Century Celebrity Tournament as a marshall at hole 16, Jerome Bettis leaned against me at the tee and asked me if I was the Goodie Lady. I had no idea what he was talking about until I found out later that the 16th tee was famous for having candy and other goodies waiting for the players, thanks to Mary, our 16th Hole Captain.
Carolyn Grubb
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| 6/18/09 -- It was the year we had the invasion of baby frogs on the greens. I was standing by a disposal box protecting a couple of them, when Rush Limbaugh walked by and asked me what I was doing. I told him I was on "frog protection." He just laughed and walked away.
Judi Hill, El Dorado Hills, CA
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| 6/17/09 -- Last year, 1st hole, Tony Romo half way fell in the lake while hitting a shot. It was a great save and only got his back side wet - all the foursome's after it got a kick out of it.
Sherri White, Stateline
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 Jack Wagner takes the time.
I think it was the year he won. Jack Wagner’s tee shot on 18 landed on the far right of the fairway. While waiting his turn for hopefully a shot to the green, Jack took time to personally interact with a handicapped woman in a wheelchair. He was sincerely sharing his excitement with her, and it really made her day.
Harvey Williams, Lake Tahoe
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Air Jordan.
A couple of years ago, Michael Jordan was on the 18th fairway and there were a lot of excited youngsters along the rope. Michael approached one boy, and after a nod from the kid’s mom, he hoisted the kid onto his shoulders and carried him down to his next shot…a moment that family will not soon forget.
Gary Quint, Orlando
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