Returning champions, fan favorites and newbies are gearing up for the 26th annual American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course.

First-timers for the July 14-19 event include: former fashion model and actress Kim Alexis; former tennis star and author James Blake; former MLB All-Star pitcher David Cone; country musician, rapper and southern rock anthem songwriter Colt Ford; Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly; actor comedian Rob Riggle of the “Daily Show,” “Saturday Night Live” and “22 Jump Street”; Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera; and Brandon Weeden of the Dallas Cowboys.

Defending 2014 champion Mark Rypien, the Washington Redskins’ former Super Bowl XXVI MVP (1992), who won the very first American Century Championship in 1990, returns this year as well as past winners, three-time champion Billy Joe Tolliver, and eight-time champion Rick Rhoden.

Retired U.S. Army Corporal Chad Pfeifer, an Iraqi War Veteran and amputee whose golf-centered rehabilitation turned him into a top-tier tournament player, joined the field in 2014. Pfeifer returns this year along with retired Army Sgt. Maj. Rodney Gorman who won the Bush Center’s fourth annual Warrior Open at Las Colinas Country Club in October.

For the second year, the American Century Championship is offering complimentary tickets for all U.S. military. All active duty, reservists, National Guard and veterans may receive two complimentary tickets, including one for a guest each day of the tournament. All service men and women can apply by going online.  At the events, participants must show photo ID along with the ticket voucher at tournament gates to receive the complimentary ticket(s).

For more info about the tournament, go online.