Photography Courtesy Ascension Charity Classic
Ascension Charity Classic 11
Three years after hosting the 100th PGA Championship, St. Louis is back in golf’s national spotlight. The PGA Tour Champions circuit is making a stop at Norwood Hills Country Club in Jennings this weekend for the Ascension Charity Classic. The tournament, which tees off Friday morning and ends Sunday afternoon, will feature some of the most legendary names in the sport. Here’s what you should know about the weekend’s action:
Keep an eye on these 3 players
1. Bernhard Langer: A second-place finish at The Ally Challenge two weeks ago vaulted the German star into the lead spot on the Charles Schwab Cup money list. Langer seems to be heating up at the right time.
2. Jim Furyk: Holding steady in the second spot in the Schwab Cup rankings, Furyk won the U.S. Senior Open in July. Furyk finished tied for 10th in the most recent PGA Tour Champions event.
3. Doug Barron: With top-five finishes in two of his last three events, including a victory at the Shaw Charity Classic in Canada last month, Barron is playing some great golf entering the weekend.
Local flavor on display
There are several players with local ties in St. Louis this weekend, including three guys named Jay (Haas, Delsing, and Williamson). Born in St. Louis and and raised in Belleville, Ill., Haas has 18 PGA Tour Champions victories. Delsing and Williamson, a pair of St. Louis natives, are in the field after receiving the tournament’s two unrestricted exemptions.
John Daly, a diehard St. Louis Cardinals fan who attended Helias High School in Jefferson City, is also in the field. Jeff Maggert, who was born in Columbia, and Tom Pernice Jr., a native of Kansas City, will also be looking for a top finish in their Missouri homecoming.
Although Tom Watson is a product of Kansas City, he has deep ties to golf in St. Louis. While playing in a PGA event at Norwood Hills Country Club in 1973, Watson met his longtime caddie, Bruce Edwards. The two went on to form a legendary partnership during the course of Watson’s hall of fame career. Watson will be competing in Saturday’s Legends Charity Challenge.
Best spot to watch
You won’t need a VIP pass to catch a great view of the action at this weekend’s Ascension Charity Classic.
One of the best vantage points will be found at the Ameren-sponsored public deck located just off the green at No. 11. There, from an elevated perch situated in the southwest corner of the course, general spectators can expect a view of a couple of key holes in the middle of the competition.
Fans can also find public bleachers near the pin at No. 13 and alongside the green at No. 18.
A fan zone featuring food trucks, expo tents, Adirondack chairs, and a giant broadcast screen will be located between the tee boxes of Nos. 14 and 18.
If you'd rather be active, feel free to walk the course and follow your favorite players. Just remember to stay behind the ropes.
What to know about getting there
1. A complementary shuttle service will ferry fans to the course. Head to the Express Scripts campus (8640 Evans) to find free parking for the duration of the event. From there, shuttles will operate regularly from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Just make sure you have a mask for the shuttle ride. If you forget your mask, one will be provided.
2. Consider carpooling. With upwards of 30,000 spectators expected to pass through the gates this weekend, tournament organizers are encouraging fans to ride together. If the lots at Express Scripts near or reach capacity on Saturday and Sunday, drivers will be rerouted to the North Hanley Road Metrolink lot (4398 North Hanley). Shuttles will also be available from the overflow lot.
3. Rideshare services will have a designated drop-off and pick-up area. Want to leave the driving to someone else? No problem. Uber and Lyft operators will be directed to a designated rideshare location not far from Norwood Hills. From Friday through Sunday, it will be stationed at 5401 Lucas and Hunt. Anyone heading over on Thursday for pre-tournament events can expect to be dropped off and picked up at 17 Arnold Grobman.
This post has been updated.
