The golfer that everyone will be talking about at Augusta National this week will soon be heading to Missouri.
After playing in the Masters, Tiger Woods will travel to Big Cedar Lodge, just south of Branson, to host a free kids' golf clinic on Tuesday, April 17. Woods—who's seen a dramatic transformation in his own game this year—will offer pointers to area students on the driving range at Buffalo Ridge Golf Course, which Golf Digest has named among the state's top public courses. Space is limited, and advance registration is required. Gates open at 10:30 a.m., and the clinic starts at noon, followed by a casting clinic led by fishing legend Bill Dance.
So why southwest Missouri? Bass Pro Shops owner Johnny Morris is partnering with Woods to create the first public course in the U.S. designed by Woods' TGR Design. Named Payne's Valley, in honor of the late PGA pro and Springfield native Payne Stewart, the 19-hole course is slated to open next year near Big Cedar, just four hours southwest of St. Louis.
In anticipation of hosting this month's kids' clinic, Woods said in a statement: “Johnny’s incredible passion for connecting people of all ages and backgrounds to the outdoors is truly inspiring. I’m excited to return to the beautiful Ozarks and have some fun while helping kids get excited about golf and the outdoors.”
The event will kick off a six-day string of star-studded activities surrounding the Bass Pro Legends of Golf tournament, April 17–22. Participants include golf legends Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player—both of whom also designed courses at Big Cedar and Top of the Rock—as well as Tom Watson, Hale Irwin, Lee Trevino, John Daly, Jose Maria Olazabal, Bernhard Langer, and many others. Saturday will feature an appearance by YouTube trick-shot stars Dude Perfect, and Sunday will include a celeb shootout with Mark Wahlberg and defending champ Kid Rock.
