American Century Championship 2025 Wraps Up with Star-Studded Wins and Charitable Impact
Joe Pavelski clinches his first celebrity golf title, Steph and Seth Curry compete for ‘Smash For Cash’, and $27,000 raised for charity in a tournament where sportsmanship meets purpose.
The 2025 American Century Championship, presented by American Century Investments, concluded on a high note at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course as retired NHL All-Star Joe Pavelski emerged victorious, edging out MLB great John Smoltz and 88 other celebrity athletes and entertainers. The tournament blended golf, fame, and purpose into a weekend of impact, community, and world-class competition.
Swinging for Impact: ‘Smash For Cash’ Scores Big
One of the week’s highlights was Smash For Cash, an AI-powered golf activation at the 14th hole, where celebrity teams tested their swing efficiency. While Steph Curry clocked the highest individual Smash Factor at 1.52, it was Team Seth Curry that walked away with the top team score of 1.49, earning a $10,000 donation for their chosen charity.
The average golfer hits around 1.44 Smash Factor, making their performance notably elite. This initiative, powered by Trackman radar and AI technology, also rewarded all teams scoring above 1.43 with $500 donations to the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, totaling an additional $17,000 in contributions.
“Smash For Cash is a powerful example of how purpose, commitment, and innovation can come together to create lasting impact,” said Erik Schneberger, Chief Marketing Officer, American Century Investments.
Fan Favorites and Fantasy Wins
The American Century Championship went beyond the greens with its interactive ACC Fantasy Golf platform. Thousands of fans drafted celebrity teams online, and four lucky winners earned VIP trips for two to the 2026 tournament. The overall winner also earned a $10,000 charity donation in their name—making fandom more rewarding than ever.
More American Century Championship Moments
- Jimmy Rollins, retired MLB icon, made headlines with a hole-in-one on the 12th hole, walking away with a Mastercraft X24 boat valued at $325,000.
- The tournament hosted fan-favorite celebrities like Aaron Rodgers, The Miz, Miles Teller, George Kittle, and Trevor Lawrence, elevating the star power across all four days of action.
A Tradition of Giving Back
Since its inception, the American Century Championship has raised over $8 million for a variety of nonprofits. This year’s primary beneficiaries include the Stowers Institute for Medical Research and local Tahoe-area charities—reaffirming the tournament’s mission to make sports matter.
