FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lenexa, Kansas — Central Links Golf announces two future sites for the Watson Challenge. The event will be played at The Nicklaus Golf Club at Lionsgate in June 2023 and at Mission Hills Country Club in June 2024.

“We’re excited to bring the Watson Challenge back to Lionsgate and Mission Hills. They are two very different, but excellent venues for the event. Both courses will do an outstanding job of identifying the best player in the Kansas City area.” – Tournament Director, Doug Habel

The Watson Challenge is an annual 54-hole golf championship hosted by Tom Watson. The event is held “To Determine the Best Golfer in the Greater Kansas City Golf Community.” The event has a 50-golfer field, consisting of the top PGA Club Professionals from the Midwest Section PGA, and the top amateurs living in the greater Kansas City golf community.

For Immediate Release

Mission Hills, Kansas – The Watson Challenge, hosted by namesake Tom Watson, is set to take place Thursday, June 2 through Saturday, June 4 at Indian Hills Country Club. The Watson Challenge offers the strongest field of amateur and professional golfers in the Kansas City area.

The Watson Challenge is an annual 54-hole golf championship held “To Determine the Best Golfer in the Greater Kansas City Golf Community.” The event has a 50-golfer field, consisting of the top PGA Club Professionals from the Midwest Section PGA, and the top amateurs living in the greater Kansas City golf community.

Players competing include Tom Watson, 2019 Watson Challenge Champion, Alex Springer, Indian Hills Country Club Director of Golf, Mike Ricket, and for the first time in the Challenge’s 15-year-history, a woman will be in the field. Gianna Augustine, PGA Teaching Professional at the Overland Park Golf Division was awarded an invitation to the event.

After many years of renting the land that is currently Kansas City Country Club, the 130 acres that are now home to Indian Hills Country Club were developed by legendary golf course designer, A.W. Tillinghast. Indian Hills has previously hosted the 2001 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship, the 2012 Watson Challenge, and more than 50 USGA and State Amateur qualifying events. The challenging 6554 yards, par 70 championship course will force golfers in the field to hit tee shots into narrow landing zones and compete on the course that Tillinghast called “one of the greatest opportunities I have ever had for creating a notable golf course.”

The event will raise funds for the First Tee of Kansas City. Tickets are available at the door and a $25 donation to the First Tee is suggested. Parking and shuttles are available at Prairie Elementary.

For tournament information, pairings, and players click here >>

Round 1 Pairings >>

Media Contact:
Baile Stephenson
(913) 649-5242 x4
baile@clgolf.org

For Immediate Release

PARKVILLE, MO – The Watson Challenge, hosted by Tom Watson, is set to take place Thursday-Saturday at the National Golf Club of Kansas City. After the COVID-19 Pandemic prevented the tournament from being played last year, 49 local amateurs and professionals will play in this year’s event. 

All eyes will be on Tom Watson, tournament namesake, as he tries to win his sixth championship. Watson tees off at 8:30 AM Thursday morning.

Another player to watch is the 2019 Watson Challenge Champion, Alex Springer. Springer recently played in the AdventHealth Championship at Blue Hills Country Club, placing T30 in the Korn Ferry Tour event. Other past Watson Challenge Champions playing in this year’s tournament include Andy Spencer and Rob Wilkin.

Lake Quivira Head Golf Professional, Chris Mabry and 2020 Central Links Golf Player of the Year, Park Ulrich are both players to watch. Ulrich dominated in the 2020 Central Links Golf tournament season, winning the Kansas Amateur, Heart of America Four-Ball, and Mid-Amateur Team Championship. Both Mabry and Ulrich will be aiming for their first Watson Challenge victory.

Nic Ingram, Andrew Rumbaugh, Frank Booth, Tim Barry and Cole Elling are home course favorites representing the National Golf Club.

Tournament Pairings & Starting Times can be found on the tournament website here >> https://centrallinksgolf.org/the-watson-challenge-the-national-golf-club/

The event is not open to the public.

Tournament Director contact: Doug Habel
doug@clgolf.org | (913) 649-5242 x1