The American Century Golf Championship, set for July 12-17 at the Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Lake Tahoe, has attracted sports heroes from yesterday and today. Whatever sport or TV show you enjoy, the tournament supplies plenty of stars, new and old, to entertain you.

I so look forward to this every July. There are many big names from the NBA, NHL, MLB and Hollywood. Music entertainers such as members of Rascal Flatts were there playing golf and entertaining last July. Did I mention Lance Armstrong and Bodie Miller? They were all there.

If it’s NFL football you like, don’t miss Super Bowl Champion Aaron Rodgers taking on Atlanta Falcons’ Matt Ryan and other NFL quarterbacks on the challenging golf course of Edgewood Tahoe. There aren’t many events where you can watch and photograph your favorite sports stars, sometimes all standing together in one spot. It’s autograph seeker’s heaven. Take note, however: the weekend is dominated by serious golf, so the best time to meet and greet the stars is at the practice rounds. Be aware that only point-and-shoot cameras and camera phones are allowed.

The legendary Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley join up with Ray Allen and the east bay’s Jason Kidd. Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry, caddied by his father, is a local favorite, but Michael Jordan is probably the biggest draw – and is difficult to get autographs from – but he’s a lot of fun to watch swat the ball with his basketball buddies.

The list goes on. I’ve seen and spoken with the owner of the Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban, and Jason Kidd is a regular. There’s a good chance you’ll get a chance to visit with these new World Champs of the NBA.

Comedians such as Ray Romano, Brian Baumgartner and Kevin Nealon will definitely make you laugh. This is a great family event, but keep the kids away from Sir Charles Barkley if he’s having a bad day. He’s been known to shout out a few choice words. My highlight last year was shaking hands with Oscar de la Hoya. He was a gentleman and a crowd pleaser.

It’s also fun to see the players in the casinos after they sign their scorecards. It provides more entertainment than watching them from golf-course distances – though mostly for the adults. There are fun times to be had, whether you enjoy golf or the Tahoe night life. Just spending time at the lake on the beach is enjoyable in itself. Many locals park their boats along the 17th and 18th holes on the beach and make a day-long picnic, watching golf and cheering on their heroes. The scenery is spectacular. I recommend you make plans now, since rooms get scarcer as the event approaches. Tickets are available at the gate or online on the American Century website.

I’ve done day trips to this event, but if you do that, chances are you’ll miss the evening fun – and the day can be tiring, so it isn’t really safe to drive back the same day. I’ve found rooms during the week for as low as $30 per night. The Horizon was offering RV spaces in its parking area right across the street from Edgewood on previous years. If you know the area, camping can even be an option. See you there!

Angelo Garcia, Jr. is a freelance photographer for The Press and a resident of Oakley.