were at least 340 yards in length . Without wind , Winslow estimates his drives are in the 325-yard range .
challengers if Winslow defends his Watson championship next spring . His brother , Michael , a 21-year-old junior at Wichita State who tied for 7th in this year ’ s Watson Challenge ( 74-70-69-213 ), will not only be the best man but the guy who intends to dethrone his brother . “ That ’ s my goal ,” said Michael .
Two-time Watson Challenge champion Andy Spencer saved par with a delicate bunker shot and 10-foot putt on the 200-yard 13th hole .
“ An incredible round ; popping out with a 30 was amazing ,” said Hadden , the pro at Grand Summit Golf and Country Club and the son of longtime Shawnee Golf and Country Club Head Pro Larry Hadden . “ He played great , very efficient from tee to green ,” added Julian Taylor , who had a one-shot lead after eight birdies in the second round only to miss short putts for par on two of the first three holes of the final round . A native of England , Taylor now resides with his family in Gladstone .
Southpaw Davis Cooper , the 2022 Watson Challenge winner , wedges his second shot on the uphill par-4 15th hole .
The tournament , the 17th annual Watson Challenge , raised $ 90,000 for the First Tee of Greater Kansas City courtesy of Mission Hills Country Club . “ It ’ s something very close to my heart ,” said Watson . “ Mission Hills has always been very generous to First Tee and did a great job hosting . The course was in fantastic shape , and Central Links Golf ran it like clockwork .”
Winslow admitted he couldn ’ t have played better than he did on the front nine , shooting 30 . “ I felt I really kept my focus ,” said Winslow . “ The greens were incredible , hard and fast . And there were some pretty tough pin placements .” So focused , Winslow ignored checking the scoreboard . “ I didn ’ t know how I stood until 18 when my caddy said we were in good shape .”
A three-time state champion at St . Thomas Aquinas and a five-time junior player of the year , Winslow played collegiately at Iowa for two and a half years before earning his degree at South Florida . He ’ s been on the go ever since . The China PGA America champion in 2018 and fourth in a major event in Brazil , his more recent successes include two back-to-back wins on the Florida Elite Tour in 2020-21 and a Florida Professional tour event near Orlando earlier this year .
Now 31 , Winslow estimates he ’ s played in tournaments in 35 countries — Columbia , Ecuador , just about every country in South America , China , Hong Kong , and Thailand in the Far East , along with many nations in Europe . “ I really liked Spain ,” says Winslow . “ My Spanish has gotten pretty good ; Portuguese not so good .” Next up , 10 PGA America tournaments in 12 weeks in Canada .
His win in the Watson Challenge earned Winslow $ 10,000 and a berth in the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour event at Blue Hills . Gaining full-time status on the Korn Ferry is at the top of Winslow ’ s list of goals . He works out daily , often with his golf coach , putting coach , or personal trainer .
Also ahead is a wedding . He and Micah Weber will wed November 23 in Jacksonville , FL . The best man will be one of his biggest
Tom Watson welcomes Kansas City ’ s foremost contributor to golf , Frank Kirk , to the 2024 Watson Challenge . For five decades , Kirk has been a leader in numerous golf organizations , including the First Tee , which received $ 90,000 from the 2024 Challenge .
Despite 2.7 inches of rain the night before the final round , the course was in excellent condition for the final round .
Organized and coordinated by Central Links Golf , this year ’ s tourney drew its youngest field with eight teenagers . Next year ’ s tournament host has yet to be determined , but hopefully , five-time champion Tom Watson will be in the field . “ I miss it . If I ’ m not injured , I ’ ll play ,” he vowed .
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TeeTimesMagazine . com TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE July 2024 21