It is a sports junkie’s utopia.

Rarely are so many past and present sports stars together in one place, at one time and so accessible to the gallery.

“It” is the American Century Cham-pionship played each summer for the past 19 years at one of the country’s most beautiful golf courses, Edgewood Country Club, along the southern shores of Lake Tahoe.

The field is a virtual who’s who of the sports world from basketball to football; from baseball to ice hockey, with soccer and Olympic medal winners thrown in for good measure. And if that isn’t enough, the field is peppered with entertainment stars from both television and the silver screen.

Superstars past (Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Jerry Rice, Joe Theismann, Lawrence Taylor, Marcus Allen, Emmitt Smith) and present (Tony Romo, Ben Roethlisberger, Ray Allen, Terrence Newman, Jason Kidd to name a few), teed it up at this year’s event. But it didn’t stop there. Coaches past and present played, including Lou Holtz, Digger Phelps, Herm Edwards, Mike Shanahan and Steve Spurrier.

The 2008 edition of this Northern California classic was July 14-19 and despite smoky skies that all but eliminated the spectacular shoreline views of the Lake Tahoe basin, the event still drew record numbers to see many of their favorite sports stars and celebrities up close and personal.

The ACC is unique in that it uses a modified Stableford scoring system to increase competition. A double eagle is worth 10 points; hole in one, eight points; eagle, six points; birdie, three points; par, one point; bogey, zero points; and double bogey, negative two points.

What draws many to the event is the opportunity to talk to top professionals, take pictures and obtain autographs. While access is limited during the three days of tournament play, many players take time prior to tee off and as they head off the 18th green to sign autographs and allow for photographs.

It’s what’s drawn Luis Bu, of Lincoln, to the event for more than seven years. Waiting near the practice green with an Edgewood pin flag and Sharpie in hand, Bu was on a quest to obtain as many autographs as possible. His bright yellow flag looked like golf’s version of the Declaration of Independence, with autographs wall to wall.

“I’m here for the autographs,” Lu said. “And getting out in the nice weather.”

His prize autographs were from Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith.

For Marco Maffioli, 13, Jordan Carlton, 10, and Casey Carlton, 13, it too was the thrill of the autograph pursuit. As first time attendees, the threesome, all hailing from Cayucos, near San Luis Obispo, sprinted back and forth between driving range and practice green hoping to obtain as many sport celebrity autographs as possible. High on their lists were Michael Jordan and Ray Allen.

Spicing the field of professional athletes were actors from both television and screen. Crowd favorites included Ray Ramono (“Everyone Loves Raymond”), Kevin Nealon (“Saturday Night Live”), Brian Baumgartner (“The Office”) and Gregg Kinnear (“Little Miss Sunshine”). Sports commentators Al Michaels and Joe Buck joined the field, as did returning television personalities Stone Phillips and Maury Povich.

The story was the same even for those volunteers working the annual event. “Uncle Brian” Dillavou has worked the 18th green for over eight years now and it’s the interaction he has, not only with the players, but with the gallery that keeps him coming back each year from his Oregon home.

“I love the interaction I have with everyone,” he said. “And I think they like it, too. I just try to add some fun for the fans while the players approach the green.”

From the 19th Green
Exclusive to the SacUnion.com

*Former major league pitcher Rick Rhoden won this year’s event, dropping a birdie putt on the final hole to post a one-point victory over Dan Quinn. For Rhoden it was his seventh win at Edgewood.

*The tournament benefits multiple charitable organizations and the communities of South Lake Tahoe.

*NBC Sports announced it will extend its coverage of the ACC through 2012.

*While Jordan, Barkley and Romano typically draw the largest galleries, the honor this year went to Dallas Cowboy quarterback Tony Romo, or more specifically his girlfriend Jessica Simpson. The singer/actress was on hand to greet Romo alongside the 18th green on July 12. Minutes later the two were whisked from the tournament with the paparazzi in hot pursuit.

*Each evening the action shifts from the links to the casinos, particularly Harrah’s. In what’s becoming a tradition, players like Charles Barkley, Marcus Allen, Digger Phelps, Alphonso Ribeiro (“Fresh Prince of BelAir”) and others take center stage in Harrah’s nightclub and offer up their musical talents to an appreciative crowd.

*Despite the smoke that hung over Lake Tahoe, the tournament set a new attendance record for the second straight year, drawing over 31,000.

*South Lake Tahoe Mayor Mike Weber proclaimed July 11 as Charles Barkley Day. In 2007, Barkley donated $100,000 to the Angora Fire Fund, benefiting victims of last year’s wild fires in South Lake Tahoe.

*John Elway was this year’s winner of the Brodie Award, given annually to a player in recognition of accomplishments in both chosen profession and the game of golf. The award is named after former San Francisco 49er quarterback John Brodie.