Watson Regains Status as Best Golfer in Kansas
City
Civic
leader and sports hero Tom Watson held up yet another trophy today
when he won The Watson Challenge by five strokes with a 1-under
par score of 215. Oddly enough, the last time Watson held up a trophy
for winning a championship in his home town was 37 years ago when
he won the 1971 Missouri Amateur held at none other than Milburn
Golf and Country Club. “Winning this thing (pointing to the
trophy) means a lot to me”, said Watson. “When I am
dead and gone someday this trophy will not only have my name on
it as the tournament's namesake, but also as one of its Champions.”
Beginning the day three shots behind Milburn’s
assistant golf professional Mike Tanner, Watson struggled early with
bogies on two of the first three holes. However, Watson full of
spirit and determination showed great patience and once he got the
feel for his game again, he took full advantage of the misfortunes
of his nearest fellow competitors. Tanner began the back nine with
his three shot lead intact. However, after a bogey on ten, disaster
struck when he made back to back double bogies on holes 13 and 14. At the same time, Watson
proceeded to make three straight birdies on holes fourteen
through sixteen to get back to one under par for the championship.
Tanner ended with a birdie on hole 17 and bogey on 18 to end at 6-over par for the day
and 4-over for the event. Watson
finished with pars on holes 17 and 18 and flashed his
“Huck Finn” smile that he is known for to the crowd
as champion of The Challenge.
Finishing in a tie with Tanner was fellow co-worker
Sean Dougherty, who has now finished runner-up in the first two
Watson Challenges. Dougherty, who last year lost a seven stroke lead
over the final 13 holes finished this year’s final round by
making five straight 3’s in route to his 3-under par 69. Also
finishing in a tie for second was Chris Mabry. 2007 Kansas City
Amateur Player of the Year Don Walsworth continued his solid play from last season
as he shot a final round 72 and earned the honor as the Low Amateur.
The mission of The Watson Challenge is to conduct
a quality championship to determine who is the best player in Kansas
City. Tom Watson is that player for 2008 and will issue the challenge
to the best players again in 2009 when The Challenge will be played
June 13-15 at Shadow Glen Golf Club in Olathe.
Civic
leader and sports hero Tom Watson held up yet another trophy today
when he won The Watson Challenge by five strokes with a 1-under
par score of 215. Oddly enough, the last time Watson held up a trophy
for winning a championship in his home town was 37 years ago when
he won the 1971 Missouri Amateur held at none other than Milburn
Golf and Country Club. “Winning this thing (pointing to the
trophy) means a lot to me”, said Watson. “When I am
dead and gone someday this trophy will not only have my name on
it as the tournament's namesake, but also as one of its Champions.”