Joe Pavelski Captures First Celebrity Golf Title
American Century Championship: Retired NHL All-Star Joe Pavelski clinched his first-ever title on July 15 at Edgewood Tahoe. Pavelski edged out MLB pitcher John Smoltz and 88 other athletes and celebrities in a star-studded showdown at the 2025 tournament.
Smash Factor Challenge: Seth Curry Beats Brother Steph
Before the championship began, Seth Curry’s team won the Smash Factor Challenge, registering an impressive 1.49 average on Hole 14, narrowly outpacing Steph Curry, who posted an individual best of 1.52. According to Trackman AI radar, the average golfer’s Smash Factor sits at 1.44.
Seth’s win triggered a $10,000 donation to the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, the tournament’s lead beneficiary.
34 of 49 celebrity teams hit 1.43 or higher in Smash Factor averages, each earning a $500 donation, totaling another $17,000 for charity.
Ray Romano Steals the Show at Celebrity Karaoke Night
Actor and comedian Ray Romano beat defending karaoke champs Travis and Jason Kelce with a crowd-winning rendition of Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” during the Saturday night party. Meteorologist Dylan Dreyer took second place, while the Kelce brothers rocked the house with “Old Time Rock & Roll”—Travis dedicating it to Taylor Swift.
ACC Fantasy Golf Winners Announced
Thousands of fans competed in the ACC Fantasy Golf Challenge this year. Four winners were awarded trips for two to the 2026 tournament, with the grand prize winner also earning $10,000 for the charity of their choice.
Hole-in-One Surprise: Jimmy Rollins Wins a Boat
Former MLB star Jimmy Rollins had the moment of the weekend with a hole-in-one on the par-3 12th hole, winning a Mastercraft X24 boat valued at $325,000.
Record-Breaking Giving Continues
With all contributions added up, the 2025 tournament raised more than $27,000 during event week alone, pushing the event’s lifetime total to over $8 million for charity, largely benefiting the Stowers Institute for Medical Research.
“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 at American Century Investments.
Source: t2conline