The Associated Press

Fri, May 9, 2008 (8:07 p.m.)

Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre will be playing golf instead of football this summer, officials said Friday.

The 38-year-old Favre, who announced his retirement March 6, will join the field in the 19th American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament from July 8-13 at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course on Lake Tahoe's south shore.

"He's a tremendous addition to the lineup," said Sue Barton, a spokeswoman for the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority.

Nearly 80 sports stars and entertainers have pledged to play in the tournament, the Tahoe Daily Tribune reported.

Other newcomers to the field will be NASCAR driver Dale Jarrett, actor Aidan Quinn, sports announcer Joe Buck, baseball Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith, former All-Star outfielder Darryl Strawberry and 11-time national sportswriter-of-the-year Rick Reilly.

Returning celebrities include Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Tony Romo, Dennis Miller, Ray Romano, Mario Lemieux, Dan Marino, LaDainian Tomlinson, John Elway and Jerry Rice.

The 54-hole tournament has been played at Edgewood Tahoe's 6,707-yard lakeside course since 1990 and has raised more than $3 million for various charities.

NBC will televise the second and final rounds.

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Information from: Tahoe Daily Tribune, http://tahoe.com/tribune