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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Tolliver manages to hold on for win


Former NFL quarterback Billy Joe Tolliver enjoys his victory.
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press

Former NFL quarterback Billy Joe Tolliver overcame a bogey on the last hole to win the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship at Lake Tahoe on Sunday.

Tolliver, the 1996 champion who squandered a final-round lead last year, closed with a 1-over 73 for 76 points in the modified Stableford scoring system. He was four points better than Cleveland Browns quarterback Trent Dilfer.

Former pitcher Rick Rhoden, playing in the same group as Tolliver, missed a 25-foot eagle putt on the last hole and finished with 71 points. Chris Chandler was fourth with 69 points in the scoring system that awards six points for eagle, three for birdie, one for par, zero for bogey and minus two for double bogey or worse.

It was the first time in five years someone other than Rhoden or former NHL star Dan Quinn won the 16-year-old tourney at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, Nev.

Tolliver seemingly had the title wrapped up heading to the final hole, but hit his drive wide right into a waste area. He then hit onto the beach bordering the lake on the par-5 18th. After taking a drop, he chipped off a cart path and made a 5-foot putt for bogey.

“I was lucky to get out of this alive today,” Tolliver said. “I’m a little bit devoid of talent so, naturally, I blocked it left onto the beach, where I always spend Sundays here. I’ve probably thrown away $300,000 to $400,000 on that beach. They ought to call it Joe’s Beach.”

Tolliver said Rhoden would have won easily if a few putts dropped.

“Rick was probably a total of 3 inches from being 8 or 9 under. I just got lucky that the putter wasn’t hot for him today.”

Charles Barkley finished next-to-last in the 81-player field at minus-84 points. As a result, Barkley will have to donate $50,000 to a charity chosen by Chris Webber, who won a wager between the two.