Baseball Hall of Famer John Smoltz is gearing up for the American Century Championship next month at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Club in Nevada, and he’s got his eyes on the prize. After finishing fourth in 2024 and tying for 12th in 2023, the former Atlanta Braves star is brimming with confidence, declaring he has no excuses not to be in contention this year.

In a recent interview, Smoltz, now 58, shared his determination to become the oldest winner in the tournament’s history. "I’ve got two brand new hips, I’m getting stronger, and I’m not losing 30 yards to these young whippersnappers anymore," he said. While he’s not guaranteeing a win this year, he’s boldly predicting that historic title is in his future. The key, he admits, lies in mastering the greens and sinking more birdies—a challenge he’s tackling head-on with rigorous training at his home club, Hawks Ridge.

What makes this event so special for Smoltz isn’t just the competition but the unique camaraderie. The championship brings together nearly 100 personalities from diverse backgrounds to Lake Tahoe for a week of skill-testing and mingling. "It’s the greatest time of the calendar," he enthused, praising the organizers for over three decades of excellence. For Smoltz, it’s an annual highlight he wouldn’t miss.

Despite his storied baseball career—including a 1995 World Series title and the 1996 NL Cy Young Award—Smoltz revealed that golf brings a different kind of pressure. "Golf is more nerve-racking than anything I’ve ever done in baseball," he confessed. Unlike the diamond, where teammates could bail you out, golf pits you against yourself and nature. Even a bad pitch could lead to a win in baseball, but a poor swing in golf? No such luck. It’s a mental test unlike any other, he noted, even if it lacks the physical intensity of sports like basketball or football.

With the festivities kicking off on July 9 and running through July 13, Smoltz is ready to swing for glory. And with his new hips allowing him to walk 16 miles without breaking down, he’s feeling better than ever. Will this be the year he claims the crown? Stay tuned.

Celebrity Tournament News

John Smoltz Targets American Century Championship Win, Calls Golf Tougher Than Baseball