Legends of Golf tournament’s par-3 course draws raves

Golfers on the Champions Tour are enjoying playing a par-3 course as part of the Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf tournament this weekend, and Tom Watson thinks they are also good for amateur players who want to enjoy a fast round.

Watson and the other competitors in the Legends of Golf tournament are playing the Top of the Rock par-3 course that is part of the Big Cedar Lodge as well as the 18-hole Buffalo Ridge course.

“This is a wonderful course,” the 65-year-old Watson said of Top of the Rock. “It’s great to play a par-3 course, especially at my age. As Lee Trevino said, nobody is going to outdrive me on this course.”

Gary Player called Top of the Rock an even better par-3 course than the one at Augusta National, which has an annual par-3 competition before the Masters.

Several other competitors also liked the idea of including a course with all par-3 holes for this tournament.

“To be quite honest, I’ve never played a par-3 facility that nice, that unique, really that much of a conversation piece,” Russ Cochran said.

Although all of the holes are between 114 and 202 yards from the back tees, they are not easy, Corey Pavin said.

“It’s a very difficult golf course,” Pavin said. “You have to be very precise with your iron shots.”

Colin Montgomerie said playing a par-3 course is good for this event, because it allows players even older than Watson to compete.

“It’s good that we can do this sort of thing and invite legends of the game,” Montgomerie said. “It’s great for the spectators to come here and actually watch Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus still play golf.

“On a par-3 course they can make birdies. You saw Jack Nicklaus at the Masters make a hole in one (in the par-3 competition). That was fantastic. So this is just superb, the whole setup.”

Pavin said he also likes Top of the Rock because of its practice facilities. The driving range includes numerous targets for players to shoot out, and Watson designed the Himalayas putting course that Pavin said allows players to have more fun than they would on a normal practice green.

Watson said watching professionals practice can provide some good tips.

“When I went to events when I was a kid, I watched the players swing,” Watson said. “You should go to the practice range and watch a golfer swing. That is where you can learn the path and techniques that can help with your game.”

Player said it is good for youths and others just learning to the game to play par-3 courses, and Watson said they are good for players with busy schedules.

“One of the things we need to do is speed up the game the best we can,” Watson said. “People should be able to go out and play nine holes in an hour or so and have fun at it.”

This story was originally published April 25, 2015 at 4:26 PM with the headline "Legends of Golf tournament’s par-3 course draws raves."