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LOCAL GOLF NEWS TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE Newsroom
Tom Watson
Named Official Ambassador of the AdventHealth Championship
Ticket Sales & Volunteer Registration Now Open
The AdventHealth Championship, a PGA TOUR’ s Korn Ferry Tour tournament, recently announced that Kansas City golf legend and 39‐time PGA TOUR winner Tom Watson will serve as the official ambassador for the tournament, marking one of the most significant moments in the event’ s history. Watson’ s involvement adds extraordinary momentum to a year already marked by major developments for Kansas City’ s only PGA TOUR‐sanctioned event, held August 20-23, at Blue Hills Country Club, including the recent announcement that the 2026 tournament will be broadcast nationally on the Golf Channel.
“ I’ ve always taken great pride in representing Kansas City, and after spending time at the tournament last year— meeting the players, talking with fans, and seeing the energy around this event— I knew it was something special,” said Watson.“ I’ m proud to support an event that continues to elevate the game and shine a spotlight on our city.”
Watson’ s commitment to the event also reflects his broader dedication to growing the game for the next generation. His nonprofit organization, Watson Links, connects junior golfers ages 10-18 with vetted adult mentors for free, 9‐hole rounds of golf. Founded in Kansas City and inspired by Watson’ s own childhood experiences learning the game alongside his father, Watson Links drives a passion for play, intergenerational relationships, and personal growth for juniors and golf mentors alike. In 2026, Watson Links programs will positively impact 50-plus locations nationwide.
“ What makes this tournament truly stand out is the people behind it— the volunteers, the fans, and the young golfers who remind us why the game matters,” Watson added.“ Growing the game for the next generation has always been important to me, and I’ m excited to spend more time at this year’ s championship meeting the folks who make it all work. Their passion is what keeps golf thriving in Kansas City.”
The AdventHealth Championship at Blue Hills Country Club in past years has been held in May and was often plagued by inclement spring weather and delays. The 2026 Championship, held in August, will be unique in that it will serve as the final regular-season event prior to the Korn Ferry Tour Finals, and will feature better weather. Following the AdventHealth Championship, the four season-ending Korn Ferry Tour Finals events will determine which 20 players earn their PGA TOUR cards for 2027, making Kansas City a pivotal stop on the road to golf’ s biggest stage.
“ We are thrilled to welcome golf legend and Kansas City native Tom Watson as the Official Ambassador for the AdventHealth Championship,” said Alex Baldwin, President, Korn Ferry Tour.“ Tom has been a tremendous advocate for this tournament, and his support has been integral to the continued elevation of this event. We’ re excited for the AdventHealth Championship’ s new position on our calendar, serving as our final regular season event, and we look forward to the tournament’ s broadcast debut on Golf Channel this August.”
In a standout performance during his 30th start on the Korn Ferry Tour, S. H. Kim won the 2025 AdventHealth Championship( see photo top left) for his first TOUR-sanctioned title and earned his PGA TOUR card for 2026. S. H. Kim, a 25-year-old( now 27) South Korean golfer, fired a first round 66(-6), round two 65(-7), round three 66(-6), and a Final Championship round of one-under 71 after sinking multiple long putts under pressure. His 20-under gave him a shot total of 268 to clinch the 2025 Championship.
8 April 2026 TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE