Birdie spree bolts Russell from a packed field .
Feature
Fake “ Hillbilly ” Wins the
2023 Watson Challenge
Birdie spree bolts Russell from a packed field .
Words and photos by Alan Hoskins , Feature Writer
Not really , but that ’ s the perception Robert Russell was dealt when he arrived in Kansas City to play college golf . A Joplin , MO , native , Russell was recruited to play collegiately at Kansas City Kansas Community College under the most auspicious beginnings . “ They [ his teammates ] thought I was a redneck from southern Missouri ,” remembers Russell . “ I really didn ’ t like them .”
“ I and two others who went to Truman High School [ Independence , MO ] hung together , and we thought he was kind of a Hillbilly ,” admits Eric Reisner . “ That all changed in a hurry when he started kicking our ass . He gained our respect in a real hurry .”
In two seasons at Kansas City Kansas Community College ( KCKCC ), Russell won an all-time record 18 of 24 tournaments . “ He won more tournaments than he lost , and I ’ m not sure any golfer can say that ,” says Reisner . A first-team All-American , Russell closed out his KCKCC career in the most spectacular fashion , a 242-yard 3-iron over water for an eagle on the final hole to win the 1995 national championship .
He would go on to earn All-America honors in his two years at UMKC and play 10 years on pro tours ( one U . S . Open in 1999 ) before getting into the club level as an instructor at Shamrock Hills and ultimately the head professional ’ s job at Lionsgate . A career that reached the pinnacle on June 3 in the final round of the Watson Challenge at the Jack Nicklaus course at Lionsgate , where Russell serves as head professional .
With nine holes to go , no less than five players were within two shots of leader Austin Jarchow , the most closely bunched field in the history of the 17-year-old tournament . That ’ s when Russell broke from the pack with four straight birdies and five of six . “ I was three behind , and I just wanted to get some looks [ at birdies ] with a chance to make birdie ,” said Russell . “ I never dreamed I ’ d make four in a row and five of six .” Set up by deft wedge shots , none of the first four birdies were more than 10 feet , and he almost holed the fifth at No . 15 .
His final 4-under par 68 and three-day 9-under 207 was two shots better than Corn Ferry Tour pro Joseph Winslow and 2022 champion Davis Cooper and three in front of Michael Letzig , last year ’ s runner-up .
Eric Reisner ( left ) with the 2023 Watson Challenge Champion Robert Russell who may have got off to an agonistic start , but they ’ ve been closest of friends for 30 years , teammates , and business partners . Reisner has served as Russell ’ s caddy for countless tournaments , including the 1999 U . S . Open .
“ Huge ,” said Russell . “ It ’ s something I ’ ve always wanted to win since it started . And to do it here in front of all the members is epic ; really , really special . Playing the course today was totally different than when I play with the members , so I think this stretch of golf was the best I ’ ve ever played — it couldn ’ t have come at a better time .”
“ I followed him from the eighth hole on , and he didn ’ t miss a shot ,” said Tom Watson , who missed playing in the Challenge
16 JULY 2023 TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE