By Kathryn Reed

STATELINE – People swarm Tim Tebow for his autograph. No one yells to John Elway at the driving range.

Oh, the contrasts of being the current Denver Broncos quarterback compared to the former. While Tebow has the imminent conclusion of the NFL lockout on his mind, Elway is ready to open his fifth Colorado restaurant – the latest at the Lodge at Vail.

Quarterbacks seem to do well at the American Century Celebrity Golf Tournament. After play was over Saturday, Tony Romo was in second place and Chris Chandler in third.

Remaining atop the leader board is actor Jack Wagner.

Jack Wagner is the leader of the tournament for the second day in a row. Photos/Kathryn Reed

Dressed all in black, he looked more like he should be headlining the concert that night at Harveys.

One woman yelled to him, “You’re all I need.” Wagner’s 1985 ballad “All I Need” topped the Billboard Charts.

At 51, he still has a boyish appearance that makes women who followed his early acting career on “General Hospital” want to call him Frisco instead of Jack.

Charles Barkley is in the cellar, but not at the very bottom. That honor goes to Jay DeMarcus, with Jimmer Fredette separating the two.

Barkley looked a bit winded by the late afternoon, needing to summon a chair to sit in and have autograph seekers come to him one at a time on the putting green.

At the same time, Fredette, the rookie who signed with the Sacramento Kings, is walking the rope, signing everything put in front of him, smiling with fans for photos and looking about 10 years younger than his 22 years.

Asked how he likes like California, the New York native said, “Nice weather. Better than New York.”

While this tournament is about the golf for many of the players, for the fans it is part golf and part seeing their idols.

In an hour Joey Werblun, 13, of San Francisco secured 28 autographs. Elway was his most cherished signature at that point.

Guy Fieri of Food Network fame is using the woodfire oven on a trailer he built at his home in Santa Rosa to create pizzas fans at the driving range were raving about. Joe Theismann comes up to give his buddy a hug and then is asked what he wants on his pie.

“I’m a simple guy. I like tomatoes,” Theismann says. Fieri convinces him to put some barbecued chicken on his personal pizza.

For fans who don’t want to leave the action at the 17th hole, Jennifer Emkjer and Allie Brascia are delivering cocktails from the Edgewood concession. The UNR students work for a promotions company that sends them to different events to work.

The final round of the three-day tournament starts Sunday at Edgewood Tahoe at 8:05am with Deron Williams, Tim Brown and Mason Crosby.

Susan Wood contributed.

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By Jeff Delong, Reno Gazette-Journal

An international sportsmen’s group is attempting to intervene in a lawsuit filed by critics to block Nevada’s first black bear hunt.

Safari Club International filed a motion to intervene in the suit Monday in district court in Carson City, contending the hunt is “well-reasoned and justified.”

“Obviously, this is the first time Nevada has approved a bear hunt, and we think it was a good decision. We want it to go forward,” said Doug Burdin, a Safari Club attorney.

“This is a unique opportunity to hunt the black bear, and it hasn’t happened in the state before,” Burdin said. “It would be unfortunate if this opportunity got taken away at the last minute.”

If the motion is granted, the move will up the ante in the legal battle over the highly controversial hunt, approved in December 2010 by the Nevada Wildlife Commission despite widespread opposition.

The citizens group NoBearHuntNV.org filed suit June 7 to block the hunt, set to begin Aug. 20. A hearing on the lawsuit is scheduled Aug. 1 in Carson City.

Read the whole story

By Dan Hinxman, Reno Gazette-Journal

STATELINE – Jack Wagner found the form that helped him win the 2006 American Century Championship and rode it the first-round lead at sunny Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course on Friday.

Wagner, known for his work as a soap opera actor, finished with 29 points in the modified Stableford event, five more than both 2007 champion Chris Chandler, a former NFL quarterback, and recently retired NHL star Jeremy Roenick. Mike Modano, the NHL’s all-time leading scorer among American-born players, has 20 points and is the only other player at 20 points or better.

Mike Modano's work on his short game Thursday paid off Friday. Photo/Kathryn Reed

“I made a couple putts early, and when you can make a few putts in this tournament it can build your confidence for the whole day,” said Wagner, who birdied his first two holes and shot a 68 on the par-72 course.

The second round begins at 8:05am today with players hitting off both the first and 10th tees.

Read the whole story

By Kathryn Reed

First paddles of the season can be problematic. Launching, having all the gear, syncing strokes, using muscles that aren’t used to that motion – and white caps.

Luckily, everything went smoothly last Sunday except for the water as we headed back to port. Lake Tahoe has been windy for what seems like all of 2011, with the National Weather Service in Reno constantly issuing wind advisories.

No body of water should be navigated with human power when high winds are howling. Lake Tahoe, though, seems to be particularly precarious because it’s in a basin and can create its own weather. Plus, the water is so dang cold.

Human powered watercraft are growing in popularity on Lake Tahoe. Photos/Kathryn Reeed

We wear our lifejackets no matter how close we are to shore and no matter if we can see the bottom.

Wanting to stay close to home, we opted to go out on Tahoe instead of another Sierra lake. And with wild stories told to each of us about kayak trips down the Upper Truckee River this year, we didn’t want to attempt taking the 17-foot canoe on the fast moving, icy waters. (We have a hard enough time on it in calmer waters.)

Launching at the beach of Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course was easy. This weekend it would be impossible to even drive to the clubhouse because of the American Century Celebrity Golf Tournament. But doing the reverse route of what we did would be an option for anyone not wanting to pay to see a little white ball being whacked about.

Our original destination was Lakeland Village because the South Lake Tahoe police boat guys had told me there is food served on shore close to the beach. Silly me thought that would mean alcohol, too. After all, we needed one last day of research for the summer libation story.

No alcohol was available, so back in the canoe we went. Not far up is Timber Cove Marina – home of Blue Water Bistro.

Lots of people are playing near shore in rented paddleboats, on standup paddleboards and in kayaks.

Others are doing what we want to do – getting a bite to eat and something to drink. This is one of the few places on the South Shore that has lakeside dining.

Last year we were able to paddle under the pier. Not so this year. Lake Tahoe is more full than it has been in recent years.

Beaches are scarce throughout the basin because of the snowpack that has yet to completely melt. But for the last three days the lake level has been pretty consistent at 6,228.35 feet, according to the National Weather Service in Reno. (For comparison, on June 1 the lake was at 6,226.78 feet.)

The legal limit is 6,229.1, which is when water must be released from the dam in Truckee that sends water to Reno and points east. The natural rim, though, is 6,223 feet.

Water officials say the lake won’t hit the legal limit and that the numbers will start heading down soon.

We take our time going back. It’s a bit of an architectural tour going past lakefront hotels, then the gated community of Tahoe Meadows, then back into Nevada.

Lakeshore Lodge looks like the place to be. If only the “private party” signs weren’t on the beach facing us.

For years Discount Tire has rented out the lodging property for its employees. The economy doesn’t seem to be affecting the tire guys. Three volleyball courts are set up, multiple bars, a stage, and flags from several countries are on the water’s edge.

Most boaters are friendly– letting us cross the channel as they are going in. We do have the right-of-way, but not everyone knows the rules of the water.

However, the guys at Ski Run ferrying people to and from the marina and private boats could slow it down a bit. A wave of the hand doesn’t negate the large wake created from going more than 5 mph.

Houses of varying sizes dot the shoreline. Some are cabins, several are larger – but no mansions on this stretch. But they all have incredible views.

The cross in Mount Tallac is striking with the amount of snow this time of year. White stuff dots other peaks, too.

Passing Lakeside Marina I pay attention to the waves hitting both sides of the canoe. So much for hitting the wake head-on. The breaker protects the boats in the marina, but is a bit disconcerting when in a canoe. Paddle harder, I tell Sue. That was the only part of the voyage that wasn’t fun. But it’s not a long stretch by any means.

The odd shaped roofline of Edgewood’s clubhouse is visible. We paddle on. We know mojitos are in our future.

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By Dan Hinxman, Reno Gazette-Journal

STATELINE — The three Winter Olympians playing in this week’s American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament at Edgewood Tahoe all say Reno-Tahoe is ready to host the Winter Games again.

“There’s no better place,” said Dan Jansen, who won his lone Olympic medal, a gold, in the 1,000-meter speedskating at the 1994 Games in Lillehammer, Norway. “I think it would be fantastic to bring it back to the U.S., and this would be a great place.”

The U.S. last hosted the Winter Games at Salt Lake City in 2002. The Reno-Tahoe Winter Games Coalition is pursuing a possible bid for the 2022 Winter Games. The International Olympic Committee awarded the 2018 Games to Pyeongchang, South Korea two weeks ago. The 2022 decision will be made in the summer of 2015.

“I think it would be outstanding,” said Mike Eruzione, the captain of the 1980 gold medal-winning U.S. hockey team. “This place is absolutely spectacular. It’s a great place for people to come and enjoy the Olympic Games and the scenery, so I think it would be awesome. I would really look forward to seeing that.”

One of the Olympians believes Reno-Tahoe would be better suited to host the Games than what appears to be its chief U.S. rival, Denver — at least from a venue-proximity basis.

“I’d say (Reno and Denver are) comparable,” five-time Olympic skiing medalist Bode Miller said. “(In Denver) you’d have to have the (ski) racing in Beaver Creek or Vail, and that’s a drag when it’s two, two and a half hours from the main Olympic Village up to where you would have some of the premiere events like skiing. I’d say it’s a little more convenient here. Reno’s only an hour away (from the skiing venues).”

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By Kurt Helin, NBC Sports

As he has done for years, Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan will be at Lake Tahoe this weekend golfing in the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship.

So will Ray Allen, Shane Battier, Jason Kidd, Deron Williams and Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro. They’ll all be hanging out together.

Most years this shouldn’t strike you as odd. But this summer — when the Trail Blazers GM nearly got a $1 million fine for an innocuous one word answer — it should.

David Stern and the NBA has forbidden anyone tied to teams — owners and coaches included — from having any contact with players. The league has threatened a $1 million fine to anyone who has contact.

But this tournament and these people all seem to have gotten clearance from the league. Reportedly Jordan and Del Negro can’t talk to the players, however. So, if Deron Williams says hello to Jordan, MJ can only nod back? Nice set of rules.

(Just for full disclosure, you can watch the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship Friday on Versus, then Saturday and Sunday on NBC. Expect PBT to have some stories from the tournament.)

Read the whole story

The NFL/USA Football Youth Summit assembles approximately 150 high school coaches and youth league commissioners from all 50 states to learn from experts.

Chuck Leonard of South Lake Tahoe will be attending the July 20-21 summit in Ohio. Leonard is co-commissioner of Sagebrush Empire Pop Warner.

Topics discussed at the summit include:

• Inspiring players to reach their potential as people and football players;

• Educating high school and youth football leaders on player health, including head injuries, dangers of steroids, heat and hydration and overall health and safety practices;

• USA Football’s CDC-approved concussion awareness and management information;

• Role-playing demonstrations regarding coach-player-parent relationships.

By Brian Nordli, Reno Gazette-Journal

STATELINE — Ask almost any athlete at the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament which pro athletes are the best at golf, and they will say their own.

Except the basketball players.

On a court, basketball players are in full control of their long, gangly bodies. They make sprinting end-to-end and dunking look like a stroll in the park. But put them on the golf course, and well, just look at how Charles Barkley swings a golf club.

“You know, basketball to me, they’re the best athletes in the world,” said John Smoltz, a former MLB pitcher with the fifth-highest odds to win the ACC, which formally begins Friday. “But the height is a little bit of an issue, I think.”

This week, current and former athletes in professional basketball, baseball, hockey and football gather to play on the Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course. They are all-stars and champions, but on the course, which sport produces the best golfers is about as clear as where Barkley’s next shot will land.

“The football players and baseball players seem to dominate this thing, and hockey, too,” said Deron Williams, a guard for the New Jersey Nets. “We got to change it, it isn’t going to be me, but we have to change this thing.”

Hockey, baseball and football all have ACC winners in their ranks, as well as favorites to win this year’s Stableford-format tournament.

Basketball has never won, and its best golfers, Michael Jordan and Ray Allen, are long shots at best.

Read the whole story

TAMBA trail work day is July 16.

The mountain bike group has a Volunteer Service Agreement with the U.S. Forest Service and this will be our first official trail building day.

Help build armored berms, strengthen the sandy loose areas of trail, and identify where to build additional features on the top portions of Armstrong connector. Depending on the number of volunteers we have showing up, a crew may also be sent up Armstrong trail to fix what winter destroyed.

Show up at the main bottom parking lot of Corral (just past Saxon Creek bridge) at 9am and then be shuttled to the top to start the trail work.

This trail day is the first of our monthly build days under the VSA with the Forest Service. Even a few hours of volunteer time will go a long way.

Email questions to info@mountainbiketahoe.org. RSVP to the event on TAMBA’s Facebook page.

Remember to bring long sleeves, pants, sturdy shoes, gloves and drinking water.

Sprouts is donating 25 lunches to the trail work. Make sure to RSVP early to get a lunch.

The Professional Disc Golf Association and the Tahoe Disc Golf Association are hosting the 2011 King of the Lake event July 15-17 at Tahoe Vista Regional Park, Zephyr Cove Park, Turtle Rock Park and Bijou Community Park.

The tournament is sanctioned by the Professional Disc Golf Association as one of nine premier events in the 2011 PDGA National Tour Elite Series, presented by Vibram Golf Discs.

There will be 125 to 150 professional disc golfers competing in the tournament for an estimated total cash purse of $15,000.

The tournament format will have competitors playing four rounds, with a final round of nine holes on Sunday. The Pro lead group will begin final round play on July 17 between 1-2pm at Bijou Community Park in South Lake Tahoe. Admission is free and the first 100 spectators will receive a golf disc courtesy of Vibram.

A free disc golf clinic will be conducted July 14 at 5pm at Bijou Community Park.

For additional information, contact tournament director Russ Wey at (530) 542.3432.