KC’s Watson Challenge canceled for 2020, but return to The National in 2021 is planned
After postponement from its original May date and subsequent news that legendary Kansas City golfer Tom Watson would not be able to play in this year’s event, the Watson Challenge golf tournament has been shelved altogether for 2020.
The decision was made Thursday by the Watson Challenge Committee and the host committee from the National Golf Club of Kansas City, according to a news release from Central Links Golf.
This is the first year the event won’t take place since its inception in 2007. More than 40 golfers were scheduled to compete this summer, even though the tourney’s namesake last month withdrew from competition because of scheduled shoulder surgery.
The event started by Watson, 70, to determine the best golfer in the Kansas City area had until Thursday been scheduled for Aug. 4-6.
“The decision to not play the event in 2020 was a difficult one for all involved,” Watson Challenge director Doug Habel said. ”The staff and members of the National have made every effort to try and play the event but ultimately decided that the safety of the club’s members and tournament players was more important.
Watson usually takes great pride and joy in playing in the annual event, which was originally scheduled for May 29-31 but was postponed because of the spreading coronavirus.
Organizers had previously cautioned that health and safety concerns would continue to guide their thinking about the tournament’s timing, and whether it could in fact be held at all this year.
With COVID-19 cases still on the rise, the need to wait until at least 2021 to play the next edition of the tournament became clear.
“The (Watson Challenge) committee supports that decision,” Habel said, ”and we are thankful that they (the National) will host the event next year.”
The winner of this year’s Watson Challenge was to earn a spot in the 2021 KC Golf Classic — an event on the Korn Ferry Tour, through which players can qualify for the PGA Tour.
The date for the 2021 Watson Challenge will be announced at a later time, tournament officials said.
This story was originally published July 9, 2020 at 2:29 PM.