Ridgedale — Just as the Ozarks was ready to have it’s golf spotlight taken away with the conclusion of the Charles Schwab Series on Wednesday, NBC Sports and Excel Sports Management ignite a hungry fan base.
On Tuesday, September 22, Tiger Woods will lead a quadruplet of golfing giants to the Ozarks for a charity round of golf.
Tiger will team with World No. 3 Justin Thomas to represent Team USA and compete against Team Europe fielded by Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose. The 18-hole event will feature a mix of competition on the course including fourball, foursomes, and singles play.
This will also officially open Tiger’s first public course in the United States, Payne’s Valley. Named after the Springfield legend, Payne Stewart, the golfers will contend for what’s being called the Payne’s Valley Cup. The event will also help raise money and awareness for the Payne Stewart Family Foundation.
“Payne’s Valley is the first public golf course that I have designed. I couldn’t be prouder of how it turned out,” said Woods. “It was an honor for me and my TGR Design team to work with Johnny Morris and Big Cedar Lodge on this spectacular golf course. I am thrilled that it will be featured during the Payne’s Valley Cup.”
The made-for-tv event will be closed to the public but will air live on the Golf Channel from 2 pm to 6 pm. It will re-air on KY3 on Dec 26 and 27 from 3 pm to 5.
The breathtaking beauty and pure majesty of my native Ozarks is something you have to see to believe. To be able to harness this unique landscape and make it come alive through our golf courses has been an honor that has been driven by passion,” said Johnny Morris, noted conservationist and founder of Bass Pro Shops and Big Cedar Lodge. “Tiger and I have a twenty-year friendship that started through fishing and has evolved into a great partnership. We look forward to showcasing this destination to the world through the Payne’s Valley Cup and truly believe we are creating ‘America’s Next Great Golf Destination.”
The announcement comes as Phil Mickelson goes wire-to-wire to win the second event in one week of the Charles Schwab Series. Mickelson’s victory comes in his debut on the PGA Champions Tour by three strokes. His 191 total ties the Champions Tour 54-hole scoring record.
