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New Watson Links Program Pairs Junior Golfers with Mentors
Free program designed to get more juniors on golf courses .
Editorial and Photography by Alan Hoskins
How would you like your son or daughter play nine holes of golf with Tom Watson ? It could happen . It ’ s all part of Watson ’ s new and innovative Watson Links program offered in affiliation with the First Tee of Greater Kansas City . “ We want to get more kids on golf courses ; we don ’ t have caddie programs like we had when I was growing up ,” said Watson , the World Golf Hall of Famer and eight-time majors champion .
Basically , the program gives junior golfers a chance to pair up with a mentor and play different golf courses throughout the metro area . “ It ’ s all free , and yes , I ’ m going to go out and play with some kids when my shoulder is healed ,” Watson told a packed crowd standing 8-10 feet deep at this year ’ s Kansas City Golf Show at the Overland Park Convention Center .
“ It gives kids 10 to 18 with some golf proficiency a chance to go out and play different golf courses with experienced players ,” said Watson . “ The mentors might be college golfers ; they might be my age . It gives kids an opportunity to play golf on courses they may never have a chance to play .”
( Above ) Tom Watson outlines his new and innovative Watson Links program to get more kids on golf courses at the 2023 Kansas City Golf Show ― to a packed room !
Started on a limited basis last year , the KC Golf Show provided the program with a roaring start for 2023 . “ We ’ ve got a lot of golfers to sign up as mentors ; now we need more golf courses . We just do not want to turn any kid away .” Watson said he hopes to have 25 or more courses in the program , including private courses .
Watson Links will generally be open to juniors between the ages of 10 and 18 who have some playing experience . Juniors will enroll online through the First Tee of Kansas City and choose a desired tee time at one of the participating golf courses . Juniors can sign up individually or with a group of friends . Tee times will be open three weeks in advance . “ We will have 14 tee times a week ,” said Tony Blake , First Tee of Kansas City Director . A 9-hole program — it will begin May 15 and run 22 weeks through October 13 . Registration will be on a first-come , first-serve basis .
( Above ) Tom Watson asks a question of 10-year-old Landon Lentz during his Watson Links program . ( Below ) Watson was at the First Tee booth to visit and autograph for fans for well over an hour , including young Landon Lentz pictured here .
Mentors must be experienced golfers 18 and older . Background checks and Safe Sport screening will be required of every mentor . In addition , mentors will go through an orientation regarding supervision , pace of play , and other items pertinent to the program .
Some of the first golf courses to sign up included Ironhorse , Heart of America , Minor Park , Hodge Park , Fred Arbanas , Sunflower Hills , Sykes Lady , and Tiffany Greens . A complete list of participating courses can be found online at www . FirstTeeKansasCity . org , along with registration forms for both junior golfers and mentors .
22 April 2023 TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE