Last edited 11 a.m., Feb. 27, 2014Officials confirmed this morning Bass Pro Shops will serve as the five-year title sponsor for PGA Tour's Legends of Golf tournament, with the June event to be played at Top of the Rock golf course at Big Cedar Lodge and the nearby, newly renamed Buffalo Ridge course.
The event - which will be dubbed Big Cedar Lodge Legends of Golf Presented by Bass Pro Shops - is expected to be broadcast to more than 200 countries and viewed in some 145 million households, Bass Pro founder and Big Cedar owner Johnny Morris said during a news conference held this morning at the Ridgedale lodge, south of Branson.
Morris was joined by PGA Tour Commissioner Tom Finchem, Gov. Jay Nixon and World Golf Hall of Fame member Tom Watson, among others.
"It's a real opportunity and an honor to be able to host some of the greatest golfers of all time," Morris said of the golf pros ages 50 and older playing the Legends tour. "It will bring a lot of exposure to our Ozarks. We can't think of a grander way to introduce the Top of the Rock golf course."
During the June 2-8 event, Big Cedar Lodge also will be home to fishing and shooting competitions, with celebrity fishermen and outdoorsmen coming to the Ozarks, including NASCAR driver Tony Stewart.
The golf tournament, noted as unique by Finchem because it will be the first PGA event played on a par 3 course, will include professional players Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Lee Trevino.
"We can use this partnership to tell the story of why alternative facilities can be used to grow the game of golf and enhance the game of golf as an experience for people that play," Finchem said.
He gave credit to Morris for Top of the Rock, a nine-hole course adjacent to the resort.
"Morris is a visionary. He and Bass Pro Shops know sports marketing," Finchem said.
Nixon said the economic impact of the tournament could be in the millions of dollars, and also would serve as a way of enhancing the tourism of southwest Missouri, both with visiting fans and those who watch on television.
"During that week, you're going to have a tremendous amount of attention. We see a significant long-term opportunity here," Nixon said.
Champions Tour President Mike Stevens said events on the tour - including Legends of Golf - carry an economic impact ranging from $16 million to $24 million.
The tournament has been held in Savannah, Ga., for the last 11 years and sponsored by Liberty Mutual. The company
dropped its sponsorship in November.
Editor Eric Olson contributed to this story.[[In-content Ad]]
