Two weeks after opening the 2017 Masters Tournament with his ceremonial tee shot, record 18-time professional major champion Jack Nicklaus returns to the golf course for the Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf at Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, Missouri. Among those scheduled to join the Golden Bear in the PGA TOUR Champions’ longest-running event, and the only Tour event held on a Par-3 course, are Gary Player, Tom Watson, and John Daly.
TV coverage is on Golf Channel. Round 1 airs Friday at 11:30 a.m. ET; round 2 airs Saturday at 5:00 p.m.; and Sunday’s final round airs at 4:30 p.m.
Nicklaus is teamed with Player in the tournament’s Legends Division, featuring 11 teams that will go head-to-head Friday and Saturday playing a Modified Alternate Shot format at Hole Nos. 1 through 9 and a Four-Ball format at Hole Nos. 10 through 18. New on Sunday, Nicklaus and Player will also compete in a Skins Game Shootout with Lee Trevino and rock & roll legend Kid Rock, an avid golfer and member of The Bear’s Club, the Nicklaus family’s Florida home club in Jupiter.
In a game built on individualism, the event’s team format creates a fan-friendly environment that brings out fist pumps, high fives, and even the occasional chest bump, as the greats rekindle the excitement of past Ryder Cups, Presidents Cups, and other partner events.
Throughout the weekend, team Nicklaus-Player may have a competitive advantage beyond their close friendship and collective 41 majors on the PGA and senior tours. Nicklaus designed the Top of the Rock golf course in 2014.
The area’s natural Ozarks topography adds a unique and challenging twist. Located high above Table Rock Lake with tranquil waterfalls, meandering creeks, and lakes and ponds teeming with bass, the course is a true celebration of nature. A testament to the layout’s distinctiveness, Top of the Rock was ranked sixth among Golf Advisor’s top-10 Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses you can play in the U.S., and the surrounding resort, Big Cedar Lodge, was included among Golf Advisor’s list of 10 great golf resorts in the U.S. for families.
In addition to its draw of families and legendary golfers, the Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf at Big Cedar Lodge also attracts celebrities. Fishing pros scheduled to attend are Kevin VanDam, Bill Dance, Roland Martin, Edwin Evers, Ott DeFoe, Timmy Horton, Rick Clunn, Mark Zona, Brian Snowden, Dennis Tietje, Matt Reed, Casey Scanlon, Woo Daves, Chris Daves, Charlie Campbell, Kendall Newson, and Barry Stokes. Participating hunting pros are Jerry Martin, Rob Keck, Doug Koenig, Allen Treadwell, and Kim Rhode. NASCAR drivers are Richard Childress, Tony Stewart, Ty Dillon, and Austin Dillon. Billiard star Jeannette Lee—the “Black Widow”—will also attend.
The full list of players competing in the Legends Division is included below.
1. Mike Hill / Lee Trevino
2. Tom Weiskopf / Tony Jacklin
3. Tommy Jacobs / Jim Ferree
4. Gary Player / Jack Nicklaus
5. John Bland / Graham Marsh
6. Charles Coody / Dale Douglas
7. Bruce Fleisher / Larry Nelson
8. Butch Baird / Al Geiberger
9. Dave Eichelberger / Jim Colbert
10. Allen Doyle / Hubert Green
11. Bob Murphy / David Graham
For more information about the Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf at Big Cedar Lodge, visit bassprolegends.com.
