St. Louis is back in the spotlight three years after hosting 100 the PGA Championship. This weekend, the PGA Tour Champions circuit will make a stop at Norwood Hills Country Club (Jennings) for the Ascension Charity Classic. Some of the greatest names in golf will be playing in the tournament that begins Friday morning and ends Sunday afternoon. Here are some details about the action this weekend:
Keep an eye on these 3 players
1. Bernhard Langer: The German star, Bernhard Langer, was second at The Ally Challenge two weeks ago and has moved up to the top of the Charles Schwab Cup money lists. Langer seems to be on the rise at the right moment.
2. Jim Furyk. Furyk held steady in the second place in the Schwab Cup rankings and won the U.S. Senior Open. Furyk was tied for 10 that the most recent PGA Tour Champions.
3. Doug Barron: Barron has finished in the top five in two of his three previous events, including a win at the Shaw Charity Classic in Canada last week. Barron is playing great golf heading into the weekend.
The local flavor on display
This weekend’s lineup includes several local players, including Jay (Haas), Delsing, or Williamson. Haas was born in St. Louis and grew up in Belleville, Ill. He has 18 PGA Tour Champions wins. After receiving two unrestricted exemptions to the tournament, Delsing and Williamson are both St. Louisans.
John Daly is also on the field. He is a passionate St. Louis Cardinals fan and attended Helias High School, Jefferson City. Jeff Maggert, a Columbia native, and Tom Pernice Jr., an American citizen, will be looking for the best finish at their Missouri homecoming.
Tom Watson hails from Kansas City but has strong ties to St. Louis golf. Watson met Bruce Edwards, his long-time caddie while playing in a PGA tournament at Norwood Hills Country Club, in 1973. They became a legendary team throughout Watson’s hall-of-fame career. Watson will compete in Saturday’s Legends Charity Challenge.
Best spot to watch
To get a great view of the action at the Ascension Charity Classic this weekend, you don’t need a VIP Pass.
The Ameren-sponsored public deck is located just off No. 11. General spectators will have a great view from an elevated perch in the southwest corner.
Public bleachers can be found near the No. 1 pin. 13 along with the green at No. 18.
Between the Nos. tee boxes, there will be a fan zone with food trucks, Adirondack chairs, and expo tents. 14-18
You can choose to be active and walk the course with your favorite players. Keep your distance from the ropes.
