Former MLB All-Star Pitcher steals the title from celebrity superstars with a knock-out swing at sixth-annual Korbel Closest-to-the-Pin Contest
July 17, 2017, Lake Tahoe, NV – Thirteen of the most notable names in sports and entertainment came together during the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship to compete in Korbel’s Closest-to-the-Pin Contest last Friday in Lake Tahoe. A signature event and fan favorite at the golf tournament, the sixth-annual Closest-to-the-Pin Contest took place on hole 17 of the Edgewood Golf Course. With a powerful drive, three-time ACC Golf Championship winner and Former MLB All-Star Pitcher Mark Mulder took home the Korbel winning title, landing just 12 feet and 4 inches from the hole. In honor of his win, The Korbel Toast Life® Foundation donated $5,000 to Douglas County Search and Rescue.
Finishing in second and third place respectively was Season Nineteen Dancing with the Stars Champion Alfonso Ribeiro with a distance of 12 feet and 7 inches, and Former All-Pro NFL Quarterback Mark Rypien who landed 13 feet and 6 inches from the pin.
In addition, NBA All-Star Guard Ray Allen beat out the majority of competitors with a distance of 20 feet and 7 inches, while NFL fan favorites Joe Theismann, A.J. Hawk and Robbie Gould demonstrated powerful drives down the fairway, but landed off the green. Although he wasn’t closest to the pin, Former MLB All-Star Pitcher Tim Wakefield had the crowd cheering on their feet as he took his best shot at the Hole-in-One champion title. Olympic Gold Medalist Skier Bode Miller proved to be a fan favorite with his friendly sportsmanship and lively energy on the course.
Other entertainment icons competing for the win included Comedian Larry the Cable Guy, Actor Rob Riggle and Duck Dynasty Star Willie Robertson, who provided a humorous soundtrack to the afternoon’s competition, while Media Personality and Sportscaster Kathryn Tappen brought a fierce competition with a longshot ball.
“The annual celebrity Closest-to-the-Pin contest is always a crowd-pleaser for fans and players alike, and it’s great to see so many familiar faces among celebrity participants year over year,” said Gary Heck, owner and president of Korbel Champagne Cellars. “It’s an honor to celebrate the fun alongside these players, all while raising money for a worthwhile cause like Douglas County Search and Rescue.”
About Douglas County Search and Rescue
Douglas County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue is non-profit group made up of professionally trained volunteers that work under the auspices of the Douglas County Sheriff’s department. Every year, local citizens and visitors from around the world enjoy the backcountry of Douglas County, which includes Lake Tahoe, the Carson River and Pinenut Mountain Range. The interaction of people, challenging wilderness terrain and frequent adverse weather, predictably creates the need for search and rescue services. DCSAR is also an important adjunct to law enforcement and fire agencies during times of natural or man-made disasters.
About the American Century Golf Championship
The 28th annual American Century Championship. Raising money for local and national charities, this NBC Sports’ made-for-TV event is the preeminent celebrity golf tournament. This year’s competition features a purse of $600,000. The tournament is a 54-hole modified Stableford format that attracts some of sports’ and entertainment’s greatest celebrities. American Century Investments is the title sponsor of the tournament.
This event is often referred to as the Super Bowl of celebrity events with more than 80 of the biggest sports and entertainment stars including Stephen Curry, Charles Barkley, Justin Timberlake, Aaron Rodgers, John Elway and Jerry Rice. This year’s champion was Mark Mulder earning him his third Celebrity Golf title.
About Korbel
Established in 1882 in Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley, Korbel Champagne Cellars produces the United States’ most popular méthode champenoise champagne. But, the true measure of Korbel’s success during its 135 years can be seen in the impact it’s 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.
