From April 20-24, 2016, veteran PGA golfers will converge at the Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, MO for the Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf Tournament. Competing for a $2.4M purse, renowned participants including Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player will bring their game to the Top of the Rock and Buffalo Ridge Springs golf courses. This year’s tournament is a must-see event for any fan of golf, giving crowds an exciting display of team play by some of the biggest names in the sport.
Part of the PGA Champions tour, the Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf tournament pits two-man teams against each other on the 9-hole Top of the Rock and 18-hole Buffalo Ridge Springs golf courses, resulting in a multi-day, 54 hole competition. Top of the Rock’s scenery is a sight to behold, affording golfers stunning views of the Ozark mountains as they play through 9 holes that overlook Table Rock Lake. According to the course’s website, Top of the Rock is the only Par-3 golf course sanctioned by the PGA Tour. The lengthier counterpart to Top of the Rock is the nearby Buffalo Ridge Springs course, designed by accomplished golf course architect Tom Fazio. Both courses are exceptional settings for the tournament’s esteemed participants.
The format for the tournament pairs golfers together, announced the week of the event. Golfers are split into two divisions, the Champions Division and the Legends Division. Leading up to the main tournament is the Pro-Am and Outdoor Experience on April 20 and 21, featuring 52 teams competing on both golf courses, as well as fishing, archery and competitive shooting, according to Bassprolegends.com. Then, at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, April 22, the Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf tournament will officially begin! Golfers will treat spectators to three days of exciting competition, finishing on April 24, Championship Sunday. A full schedule of events can be found here. If you’ve never experienced the thrill of this tournament, last year’s winning duo of Joe Durant and Billy Andrade are a prime example. According to PGATOUR.com, Durant hit a hole-in-one and the team finished up 19 under after completing the tournament’s 54 holes, winning the Legends Division. Throughout the tournament’s duration, excellent competition and fun can be expected.
Any avid fan of golf will want to make sure they secure their tickets to this year’s event! Single-day and tournament tickets can be purchased through Basspro.com, the event’s main sponsor for the third consecutive year. Other notable 2016 sponsors include host Big Cedar Lodge, MasterCard and ExploreBranson.com. Ozarks Heritage, James River and White River sponsorships are also offered. Those looking for a premium, perq-filled experience should consider these options. For a complete list of tournament information, facts, and history, visit Bassprolegends.com.
The Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf tournament is undoubtedly one of the most thrilling events to be held in the Branson area. If you’re making the trip to Ridgedale, we recommend booking your stay with Amazing Branson! After a long day at the tournament, the best way to recover is from the peace and quiet of your own rental cabin, surrounded by Branson’s natural beauty. Contact us today, and we’ll help you find the perfect place to stay.
