GUERNEVILLE, CA, July 1, 2024 – Korbel California Champagne® will sponsor the American Century Championship, golf’s pre-eminent celebrity golf tournament at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Lake Tahoe for the 20th consecutive year. Each summer, fans flock to Tahoe to cheer on their favorite celebrities and participate in all the festivities surrounding the event. Korbel brings both a Long Drive Competition and a Closest-to-the-Pin Contest to the tournament. This year, Korbel will also debut a new on-course consumer activation featuring its new packaging, branding, and creative campaign.
Korbel Long Drive Competition
To kick off its activities, for the fourth year, Korbel will again host a Long Drive Competition. Drew Stoltz and Colt Knost from Golf’s Subpar podcast on Golf.com will return with their wildly entertaining commentary as MCs. The celebrity group with the longest drive will take home $5,000 for their charity of choice.
When: Thursday, July 11, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: 16th Hole: scenic 546-yard par 5 with spectacular Lake Tahoe background
Closest-To-The-Pin Contest
Again, Korbel will host its annual Celebrity Closest-To-The-Pin Contest at the tournament. This year’s competition will bring together ten players and one Korbel distributor representative all vying for the winning title to benefit charity. With $250,000 on the line, a hole-In-one is the name of the game. If not achieved, the player closest-to-the-pin (within two feet) will receive a $25,000 split with the charity. If a hole-in-one is not made and no player gets within two feet, the closest-to-the-pin shot will win $5,000 for Canine Companions, a national nonprofit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing expertly trained service dogs for adults, children, facility dogs and service dogs for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These service dogs are trained in tasks including anxiety and nightmare interruption, turning on lights, retrieving items, and supporting their handler in crowded public situations that might provoke anxiety for individuals with PTSD. Applicants for the PTSD program must be United States Armed Forces veterans. All these dogs are provided at no cost to the client.
When: Friday, July 12, at 4:00 p.m.
Where: 17th Hole: 135-yard lakefront par 3 party hole with boats and fans
NEW Korbel Consumer On-Course Experience
To celebrate our 20th Anniversary of the sponsorship, Korbel will be debuting a new consumer experience. Within the experience, fans can relax in lounge seating, try their hand at a custom, 18-foot Korbel putt-putt hole, or capture the moment with a branded photo opp.
When: Friday, July 12 – Sunday, July 14, 9:00a.m. – 4:00p.m.
Where: Adjacent to the 17th Hole
About the American Century Championship:
The American Century Championship, a made-for-TV event, owned and broadcasted by NBC Sports, and televised on NBC and the GOLF Channel, is the sport’s premier celebrity golf tournament. It has raised more than $8 million for local and national charities. The competition features a purse of $750,000, with $150,000 to the winner, plus a charity component for local and national non-profits. The 2024 American Century Championship will utilize the Modified Stableford format whereby points are awarded by score per hole. The field includes more than 80 sports and entertainment superstars including Josh Allen, Canelo, Charles Barkley, Carson Daly, Colin Jost, Jake Owen, Aaron Rodgers, Tony Romo, CC Sabathia, and Miles Teller.
About Korbel California Champagne®:
Established in 1882 in Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley, Korbel Champagne Cellars produces the United States’ most popular méthode champenoise champagne. The true measure of Korbel’s success during its 142 years can be seen in the impact it has had on American consumers and its presence at various celebrations throughout the years. Owned and managed by the Heck family since 1954, Korbel currently makes eleven California champagnes and a limited amount of still wine. In a separate facility, Korbel also produces one of the country’s most respected brandies.
