The final round of the competitive Watson Challenge, held at Mission Hills Country Club, concluded on Saturday afternoon. Joseph Winslow emerged as the champion, showcasing his exceptional skills and winning the event by five shots over Ben Hadden.
Winslow started the day one shot back from Julian Taylor, starting strong on his front nine, carding three birdies and an eagle. “The greens this week were unbelievable. The first two days, I putted ok but felt like I was due for a really good putting round, and it happened,” Winslow said during the awards ceremony. Winslow finished his final round three-under. He shot 70-67-67 (-6). His Challenge win also earns him an exemption into next year’s AdventHealth Championship Korn Ferry Tour event.
Ben Hadden, the only other player to shoot under par, scored 72-67-70 (-1) for the three-day tournament. His journey in this event was particularly touching, as he caddied for his dad a decade ago. Now, he stands as the runner-up in the same event, finishing his round with an up and down to save par and secure the solo second place.
Jackson Foth was the Watson Challenge Amateur Champion. He placed solo fifth place, carding 69-71-71 (+1).
Joseph Winslow, the newly crowned champion of the Watson Challenge, is now set to take on the PGA Tour Americas. The tour consists of 10 events over 12 weeks, starting in a week and a half.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mission Hills Country Club for their exceptional hospitality and for hosting this event. Their contribution has been instrumental in making this Watson Challenge a success.
The second round of the Watson Challenge began Friday morning at Mission Hills Country Club. Julian Taylor, the current frontrunner, wrapped up his round with a birdie on 18, shooting an impressive 67 (-3). “Putting was the best part of my game today,” Taylor said, “I drove the ball really poorly.” Taylor made eight birdies in his second round and hopes to keep that hot streak going into the final round.
Joseph Winslow, who shot 67 (-3), is in second place, one stroke ahead of Ben Hadden. Winslow carded seven birdies in his second round, which helped to push him to second place. “My mental game was the best part of my game today. I stayed focused and patient,” Winslow said, walking off the eighteenth green. He is looking forward to the final round tomorrow.
Ben Hadden made a remarkable leap from 10th to 3rd place after his second round. His bogey-free back nine, coupled with four birdies, propelled him to a 67 (-3) score, securing him a solo third place. Hadden’s performance is a testament to his skill and determination, and he’s definitely one to watch in the final round.
Jackson Froth and Davis Cooper are tied for fourth at even par. They are still in excellent standing to earn the title of best golfer in Kansas City.
Will King scored a 66 (-4), the best round of the day.
The final round of the Challenge will begin at 8:00 a.m. Saturday. Tom Watson will attend the award ceremony following the round.
The highly anticipated Watson Challenge teed off Thursday morning at Mission Hills Country Club. The field, comprising 51 top-notch golfers, is vying to claim the title of the best golfer in Kansas City.
Setting the pace at an impressive two-under-par, Davis Cooper and Charlie Hillier. Cooper, the 2022 Challenge Champion, is determined to reclaim his title, while Hillier, with a solid performance on the front nine, is looking to make his mark in the tournament.
Cooper started strong, making birdie the first hole. The most challenging part of his round today was judging the wind. Cooper and his caddying worked to judge the wind to determine what type of shots he needed to hit. Dealing with the wind prevented him from hitting the ball as well as he would have liked; however, he was still happy with his final score.
Hillier carded a thirty-two on the front nine, three-under-par. He stayed consistent even with the tricky pin locations on the course today. Leading into the second round, “I am looking forward to getting the putter going,” Hillier said. The difficult pin locations did not cause him to be too unhappy with his putting after his first round.
Andy Spencer, Julian Taylor, and Jackson Foth shot 69 (-1) to finish tied after their first round. They are both looking forward to their second round, continuing to strike the ball well and miss in the right places.
Players to watch going into Friday’s round include Joseph Winslow, who shot 70 (E). Connor Knabe, Michael McGee, and Alex Springer are all tied for fifth place after shooting 71 (+1). Six players tied for tenth at two-under.
The Watson Challenge will be held at Mission Hills Country Club from June 6 to 8, 2024. Tom Watson’s vision for the Watson Challenge began in 2007 to “Determine the best golfer in Kansas City.” The event raises funds for The First Tee of Kansas City, benefitting our area children.
Spectator Information: Off-site parking and shuttle will be located at Pembroke Hill High School. Tickets are available at the gate for a suggested donation of $25 to the First Tee of Kansas City. Media will be allowed entry with valid employer credentials.
Past Champions
2024 Field
Wade Binfield, Professional Brookridge Golf and Fitness Collegiate All-American, Turned Pro in 2010, 2015-2018 PGA Tour Canada, 2019-2021 & 2023 Korn Ferry Tour Member.
Ed Brown, Amateur Shamrock Hills Golf Club 2021 & 2023 KC Sernior Amateur Champion, 2023 KC Sernior Match Play Champion, 2019, 2021, & 2023 Missouri Mid-Amateur (Senior) Champion, 2021 Open Dicision Club Champion at Swope Memorial, 2011 Open Division Club Champion at Shamrock Hills, 2019 Senior Club Champion at Shamrock Hills.
Bret Burgmeier, Professional Wolf Creek Golf Club Shot 63 in a Midwest Section PGA event.
Kyle Capps, Professional Hallbrook Country Club
Drew Carlson, Amateur Milburn Country Club Qualified for The Watson Challenge in 2019, 2022, & 2024, 2022 KC Match Play Finalist, 2023 Kansas Amateur Quarterfinalist, Milburn Country Club – Club Champion, Winner – Falcon Wealth Advisor Tour Championship, 2024 Kanza Cup Winner
Maxence Catherine, Amateur UMKC Men’s Golf Alumni Three-time 2nd Team All-Conference, Freshman of the Year at UMKC, Three-time All-American Scholar.
Davis Cooper, Professional Nicklaus Golf Club at Lionsgate 2022 Watson Challenge Champion, 2021 Windon Memorial Champion
Wylie Curtis, Amateur Shawnee Mission East High School 2022 Midwest Junior Champion, 2023 Team State Champion.
Gregory Diederich, Amateur The National Golf Club of Kansas City 2022 Club Champion at The National Golf Club of Kansas City.
Calvin Dillon, Amateur University of Central Missouri 2020 Missouri Junior Amateur Champion, 2019 KC Junior Match Play Champion, 2023 NCIS Championship Runner-Up, 2023 & 2024 GCAA All-American Scholar, 2022 KC Amateur Runner-Up. This is Calvin’s third Watson Challenge appearance.
Tyler Docking, 2024 Runner-Up KC Match Play
Sean Dougherty, Professional Golf TRK 2011 & 2015 PGA Championship Participant, 2015 PGA Cup Team Member.
Alex Downing, Amateur Shamrock Hills Golf Club 2x Academic All-American, 3x Falcon Wealth Advisor Tour Player of the Year, 2022 Kansas Amateur Runner-up, 2 Career Hole-in-Ones – Both on Par 4s
Tyler Dunn, Professional Blue Hills Country Club Third Place at 2009 Watson Challenge, 2014 Midwest Section PGA Player of the Year & Assistant Player of the Year, 2020 Midwest Section Assistant Player of the Year, 2015 & 2018 PGA Professional National Championship Participant.
Ryan Eckroat, Professional Ironhorse Golf Course 2011 & 2012 Member of the Southwest PGA Gibson Cup, 2013 Member of the Southwest PGA Goldwater Cup, 2017 Champion of the Northern California PGA Section, Qualified for the Watson Challenge 2020-2023.
Ryne Fisher, Amateur Blue Hills Country Club 2x Kansas City Amateur Champion, 2x Kansas City Masters Champion, 1x Kansas City Match Play Champion
Jackson Foth, Amateur Lake Quivira Country Club 2018 KC Match Play Champion, 2018 Pine to Palm Champion, 2013 Heart of America Four-Ball Champion, and three Watson Challenge Top 10s. This is Jackson’s seventh Watson Challenge appearance.
Ben Hadden, Professional Shawnee Golf and Country Club 2021 PGA Tour Canada Member, 3x United Airlines Pro-Am Champion, Salina Country Club Record Holder at 60 (-11), 2019 NAIA All-American
Austin Hardison, Professional Excelsior Springs Golf Course 2018, 2020, 2021 Midwest Section PGA Assistant Champion, 2023 Midwest Section PGA Professional Champion. This is Austin’s fourth Watson Challenge appearance.
Andrew Hatten, Amateur Blue Hills Country Club Two-time Missouri 4-Ball Champion, 2007 Missouri Mid-Amateur Runner-Up. This is Andrew’s third Watson Challenge.
Charlie Hillier Wolf Creek Golf Club 2023 Brazil Open Champion, 2023 Top 5 Latino America 2024 Korn Ferry Tour Member, University of Kansas 2015-2019
Harry Hillier, Professional Wolf Creek Golf Club/Kansas University 2022 Nebraska Open Champion, 2024 Race to Tieke Champion, 12th Place in 2023 New Zealand Open, Current Member of the PGA Tour Americas
Alex Hogan, Amateur Blue Hills Country Club, Rockhurst High School 2023 KC Junior Champion
Austin Jarchow, Professional Shamrock Hills Golf Club University of Central Missouri Golf Alumni, High School Golf at Lees Summit West, 2-time Qualifier for Professional National Championship.
Will King, Amateur Kansas University 2023 NCAA Division I Qualifier, 2023 Gopher Invitational Champion, 2024 All-Big 12 Tournament Team, Finished tied for eighth at 2024 Big 12 Championship. This is Will’s second Watson Challenge.
Connor Knabe, Amateur Former K-Sate Men’s Golf Team This is Connor’s sixth Watson Challenge.
Michael Letzig, Professional The Club at Porto Cima Missouri Amateur Champion, 15 years as a professional Golfer, and five years on the PGA Tour. This is Michael’s seventh Watson Challenge.
Henry Mayor Mission Hills Country Club/Rockhurst High School 2021-2023 Mission Hills Country Club Junior Club Champion, 2023 Hurrican Junior Tour Fall Classic Champion in Chicago.
Ian McCrary, Amateur Kansas State University Member of the Kansas State Men’s Golf Team. This is Ian’s second Watson Challenge.
Michael McGee, Amateur Indiana University 2023 US Mid-Amateur Qualifier
Bryan Norton, Amateur Mission Hills Country Club Three-time Kansas Senior Amateur Champion.
Bryson Oots, Amateur William Jewell College State Champion 2022, Kenneth Smith Award Winner, 2-time NCAA Division II Champion, and Individual Selection for the Division II Regional Tournament.
Sam Parrott, Amateur Central Links Golf 2018 DII GCAA All-American, 2018 GCAA All Region, 2019 Holiday Inn Express Classic Champion, 2021 KC Am Champion, 2021 CLG Player of the Year. This is Sam’s fifth Watson Challenge appearance.
Jared Paul, Professional Southwestern College One College and two Professional victories. This is Jared’s third Watson Challenge appearance.
Ben Pearson, Amateur Falcon Ridge Golf Club Third Place in 2023 Kansas Mid-Amateur, Second Place in 2022 Kansas Mid-Amateur, 2023 KC Four-Ball Champion, Second Place in 2023 Hear of America, Semi-Finalist in 2023 KC Match Play. This is Ben’s second Watson Challenge appearance.
Chance Rinkol, Amateur University of Iowa AJGA Joplin Junior Champion, 2023 Midwest PGA Section Junior Golf Student of the Year, and Founder of Red Bags Shootout.
Robert Russell, PGA Nickalaus Golf Club at Lionsgate 2023 Watson Challenge Champion
Andy Spencer, Professional Wolf Creek Golf Club/University of Kansas Status on the Challenge Tour, Three-time Watson Challenge Champion, having won in 2017, 2018, and 2021.
Alex Springer, Amateur Sycamore Ridge Golf Course 2019 Watson Challenge Champion. Alex will make his seventh appearance at the Watson Challenge.
Tyler Strong, Amateur Praire Highland Golf Course 2023 Kansas Junior Amateur Champion, 2023 Junior Player of the Year, Committed to K-State Golf in the Fall.
Julian Taylor, Professional Tiffany Greens Golf Course 3-time All-American, 14 collegiate wins, NAIA Golfstat Cup winner. This is Julian’s second Watson Challenge Appearance.
Park Ulrich, Amateur Nicklaus Golf Club at Lionsgate
Zach VanDolah, Amateur Tiffany Greens Golf Club 2023 Kansas Player of the Year, 2022 & 2023 Kansas City Player of the Year, 2023 Kansas City Amateur Champion, 2022 Kansas Mid-Amateur Champion, 2022 Kansas City Match Play Champion. Zach will be playing in his fifth Watson Challenge.
Brad Volker, Professional The Nicklaus Club at Lionsgate 2018 Midwest Section Player Development Award Winner. This is Brad’s sixth Watson Challenge.
Kevin Ward, Professional The Golf Stable/Mission Hills Country Club/Wolf Creek Golf Club Founder of The Golf Stable, 2023 Midwest Section PGA Teacher of the Year, Golf Digest Top in the State, 2004 “Show Me, Sunflower” Champion, 2004 Kansas Golfer Summer Four-Ball Finalist
Michael Winslow, Amateur Wichita State University 2024 AAC All-Conference, 2018 Kansas Junior Amateur Champion, 2018 5A State Champion, Runner-Up in 2024 Kansas Amateur, Runner-Up in 2024 Missouri Amateur.
Joseph Winslow, Professional Wolf Creek Golf Club Tied for Fourth in PGA TOUR Americas Brazil Open, Winner – PGA TOUR China Yantai Championship, 3x Kansas High School State Champion
Heeil Yang, Professional PXG Member of the Korean Professional Golfers Association.
Two additional golfers will earn their spot in the Watson Challenge Field after playing the Watson Challenge Junior Qualifier on Friday, May 31st. Full results from that event can be found here >>
The final round of the Watson Challenge concluded on Saturday afternoon at the Nicklaus Golf Club at LionsGate. Robert Russell, Head Golf Professional at the Nicklaus Golf Club, won the event by two shots over Davis Cooper and Joseph Winslow.
Russell started his day one shot back from the lead and stayed steady shooting even-par on his front nine. After making the turn, Russell turned up the heat. He birdied four holes in a row and made a fifth birdie on the 15th hole. He shot 68-71-68 (-9) for the event. His Challenge win also earns him an exemption into next year’s AdventHealth Championship Korn Ferry Tour event.
Joseph Winslow made a run for the leaderboard after starting his day in eighth place. Winslow made early strides on the front nine, making birdies on holes four through seven and nine. He fired an impressive round of 67 on the day, finishing seven-under-par along with Davis Cooper. Cooper, 2022 Challenge defending Champion and a member at the Nicklaus Golf Club, shot 71 during his round today.
Michael Letzig finished in fourth place shooting rounds of 70-69-71-210 (-6). Sean Dougherty finished fifth shooting rounds of 70-70-72-212 (-4). Rounding out the top ten were Ty Lasley and Jackson Foth in sixth place at three-under-par. Ben Hadden, Julian Taylor, Will King, and Michael Winslow were tied for eighth-place at two-under-par.
Julia Misemer, the only woman to play in the event, shot rounds of 75-76-72-223 (+7) to tie for 26th.
The second round of the Watson Challenge began Friday morning at the Nicklaus Golf Club at LionsGate. Leading the pack of golfers for the second day in a row was Davis Cooper, a Senior of the University of Kansas Men’s Golf Team and 2022 Watson Challenge Champion. Cooper shot 70 (-2) on his round which included making an 8-foot putt on hole 10 for eagle.
New to the leaderboard is Austin Jarchow, PGA Professional, who shot 67 (-5) on his round after shooting 71 (-1) on Thursday. Jarchow carded seven birdies on his scorecard today, “I executed the small things better [today], I really hit it well enough yesterday to go low and made some dumb mistakes,” he said.
Michael Letzig and Robert Russell are tied for third at five-under-par going into the final round on Saturday. Sean Dougherty and Michael Winslow are tied for fifth at four-under-par. Ben Pearson finds himself in solo-seventh at three-under. Rounding out the top ten are Jackson Foth, Joseph Winslow, and Will King at two-under.
Julia Misemer, the only female in the field, sits T26 after shooting 75-76 (+7).
The Final Round of the Challenge will begin at 7:30 AM Saturday morning. Tom Watson will be present at the awards ceremony following play.
The Watson Challenge began Thursday morning at the Nicklaus Golf Club at Lionsgate. The field comprised of 47 men and one woman, are competing to determine the best golfer in Kansas City.
Leading the field at four-under-par are Davis Cooper, Michael Winslow, and Robert Russell.
Cooper won the Challenge in 2022 and holds a home course advantage as a member at Lionsgate. Cooper carded an early double bogey in his round but wasn’t concerned “I knew I still had four par fives left on the day so I wasn’t too stressed about it”, he said after going on to make eight birdies during the round.
Russell, who also holds a home course advantage as the Head Golf Professional at Lionsgate, had an impressive round today. After an unfortunate bogey on the par-three-eighth hole, Russell holed out for an eagle on nine; “I knew it was going to be good, but I never dreamed it would be in the hole,” Russell said.
M. Winslow, a Junior on the Wichita State University Golf Team, also shot 68 today. Winslow carded five birdies on the front nine this morning on holes two, four, five, six, and seven. The key to his success? “I putted the ball really well today and my wedges were really good,” Winslow said.
Players to watch going into Friday’s round include David Jenkins who shot 69 (-3). Will King, Sean Dougherty, Michael Letzig, and Julian Taylor all are tied for fifth after shooting 70 (-2). Joseph Winslow and Austin Jarchow shot 71 (-1) to round out the top 10.
Overland Park, Kansas – The Watson Challenge, hosted by namesake Tom Watson, is set to take place Thursday, June 1 through Saturday, June 3 at The Nicklaus Golf Club at Lionsgate. 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 to watch:
2022 champion, Davis Cooper, a Senior on the University of Kansas Golf Team
Past champion, Alex Springer, won the Challenge when it was last hosted at the Nicklaus Golf Club in 2019
Three-time past champion, Andy Spencer
Brothers Joseph and Michael Winslow are paired together in Thursday’s round
Nicklaus Golf Club Head Golf Professional, Robert Russell
One woman will compete in the field, Julia Misemer, an incoming sophomore at the University of Arizona
Tom Watson will be unable to compete due to an injury.
Tickets to the 2023 Watson Challenge are free, but we strongly encourage a donation of $25 to the First Tee of Greater Kansas City. Tickets are available at the Nicklaus Golf Club.
Parking Information
Only players, sponsors, staff, and rules officials are allowed into the clubhouse parking lot. Public parking for the event will be at the Blue Valley campus of Legacy Christian Church at 14301 Metcalf Avenue. There will be a shuttle running from the church to the clubhouse during the event. Do not park on roads in the Lionsgate neighborhood.
Schedule of Events
Tee times will run from 7:30 am until 10:00 am each day, June 1st through 3rd. The leaders will tee off at 10:00 am for rounds two and three. There will be a trophy presentation at approximately 3:00 pm on Saturday, June 3rd.
For tournament information, pairings, and players click here >>
“We found out who the best player in Kansas City was,” Tom Watson said as he congratulated Davis Cooper on his Watson Challenge victory on Saturday afternoon at Indian Hills Country Club.
Cooper broke Challenge records for the lowest total score, score in relation to par, and margin-of-victory, after he shot 65-64-68-197 (-13), to win the Challenge by 8 strokes.
“That’s what you work for, you don’t know when your time is going to come and these last three days I have put three pretty good rounds together, so that was special” Cooper said, “to have all my friends and family here made it even better.”
Cooper’s victory also earned him an exemption into the 2023 AdventHealth Korn Ferry Tour event at Blue Hills Country Club in Kansas City.
The Price is Right for Letzig
Davis Cooper wasn’t the only one leaving Indian Hills on Saturday with a smile. Michael Letzig also won big. Going into the final hole, Letzig was two shots back from taking solo-second. On the par-five 18th hole, Letzig his third shot perfectly, hopping right into the cup to make eagle. Because of Cooper’s amateur status, Letzig went home with the $10,000 Watson Challenge purse.
Wade Binfield, Korn Ferry Tour player, finished in third place after shooting 71-67-68-206 (-4).
Tom Watson shot even par on Saturday putting him T15 for the event.
Past and Present Jayhawks Shine During the Second Round of the Watson Challenge
Davis Cooper holds a strong lead going into the final round tomorrow.
Davis Cooper, entering his Junior year at the University of Kansas, holds a six-shot lead going into the final round of the Watson Challenge on Saturday. Cooper shot an impressive six-under-par, 64 during the second round on Friday.
“I stayed patient out there and waited for my birdies to come,” Cooper said, and they definitely came. He made five birdies before making his first and only bogey of the tournament on hole 13, then quickly recovered by making a birdie on 14. He finished his round with yet another birdie on 18 to card 7 birdies on his round.
Charlie Hillier, a professional on the PGA Tour Latin America and former University of Kansas golfer, shot 68 (-2) today to put him at five-under-par for the tournament, six shots back of Cooper.
Thursday’s leader, Zach VanDolah shot 73 (+3) today, putting him tied for third place with Michael Letzig who shot 70 (E) today.
Tom Watson bounced back after his day yesterday, carding 71 (+1) on his round today. Watson will tee off at 10:00 AM on Saturday.
With an improved forecast, the “best golfer in Kansas City” will be determined tomorrow.
VanDolah Leads After the First Round at the Watson Challenge
The first round of the 2022 Watson Challenge began today as 50 men and 1 woman, took on Indian Hills Country Club, to see who will be crowned “the best golfer in Kansas City”.
Coming off his Kansas City Match Play Victory, Zach VanDolah leads the first round of the Watson Challenge after shooting 64 (-6) in his opening round. His round consisted of seven birdies, ten pars, and one bogey. When asked what the key to his success was he said “I made everything I looked at.”
Not far behind VanDolah is Davis Cooper, the current Kansas University Golfer, who shot a bogey-free 65 (-5), as he relied on his wedges to gain success around the greens today.
Justin Wingerter holds solo third after shooting 66 (-4).
Tom Watson, tournament namesake, shot 74 (+4) during his opening round this morning. Watson tees off at 9:50 AM Friday morning.
Gianna Augustine, the first female to play in the Challenge, shot 76 (+6).
Although not in the field, Kansas City Royals Hall of Famer George Brett could be found on the bag, as he caddied for Prairie Village’s Kevin Ward who shot 74 (+4).
LENEXA, KS (July 9, 2020) – Representatives of the Watson Challenge Committee and the host committee from the National Golf Club met today and decided to postpone the Watson Challenge until spring of 2021.
“The decision to not play the event in 2020 was a difficult one for all involved.”, said Watson Challenge director Doug Habel, “The staff and members of the National have made every effort to try and play the event, but ultimately decided that the safety of the club’s members and tournament players was more important. The committee supports that decision and we are thankful that they will host the event next year.”
While the date for next year’s Watson Challenge has not yet been set, the National has committed to hosting the event.
For any questions regarding the Watson Challenge, please reach out to Doug Habel at doug@clgolf.org.
