Woods and Thomas will play against McIlroy and Rose at Payne’s Valley, the first public-access golf course designed by Tiger Woods and TGR Design
RIDGEDALE, Missouri (Sept. 1, 2020) – Big Cedar Lodge announced recently that a match-up of epic proportions is headed for the Ozarks, as American greats Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas prepare to take on European standouts Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose.
The Payne’s Valley Cup will take place Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020, and will serve as the official debut of Payne’s Valley, the first public-access course in the U.S. designed by Tiger Woods’ TGR Design.
The continental match-up will be televised live across the globe on The Golf Channel from 3-7 p.m. EDT, with immediate re-airs from 8-Midnight EDT and 1-5 a.m. EDT the next day. An additional broadcast of the event will air on NBC Network Dec. 26 and 27.
The field is fitting for the venue, as Big Cedar Lodge has become a premier destination for golf by attracting some of the worlds’ leading course architects to create nature golf at the resort, including Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Tom Fazio, Gary Player, Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw and soon Tiger Woods. The Europe-U.S. competition will be punctuated by the in-the-moment commentary from the players as they all try to be the golfer to set the course record on Tiger’s new masterpiece.
Big Cedar Lodge has been considered ‘Home of the Legends,’ after hosting the Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf from 2014 through 2019, which included some of golf’s biggest names such as Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson, Ben Crenshaw and many others.
News of the Payne’s Valley Cup comes on the heels of PGA TOUR Champions events at Ozarks National and Buffalo Ridge featuring back-to-back 54-hole tournaments televised worldwide on The GOLF Channel. World Golf Hall of Famer Phil Mickelson also made his PGA TOUR Champions debut at the Ozarks National tournament, where he ultimately secured a victory.
“The breathtaking beauty and pure majesty of my native Ozarks is something you have to see to believe. To be able to harness this unique landscape and make it come alive through our golf courses has been an honor that has been driven by passion,” said Johnny Morris, noted conservationist and founder of Bass Pro Shops and Big Cedar Lodge.
“Tiger and I have a 20-year friendship that started through fishing and has evolved into the great partnership that created Payne’s Valley. We look forward to showcasing this destination to the world through the Payne’s Valley Cup and truly believe we are creating ‘America’s Next Great Golf Destination.’”
Through the alliance between Morris and Woods, the 18-hole layout of Payne’s Valley, named in honor of golf legend, Ozarks native and dear friend of Morris and Woods friend, Payne Stewart, was created with the intent to foster a deeper connection to nature through the game of golf.
The course features an unforgettable par-3, 19th bonus hole designed by Johnny Morris to showcase the nature and beauty of the Ozarks. The bonus 19th hole is being celebrated as one of the most remarkable golf holes in the world.After completing the final hole, golfers depart the island green to journey along a breathtaking, cliff hanger nature trail and through a beautiful natural cave system to return to the clubhouse.
Due to COVID-19 concerns, no tickets will be sold; however there will be limited invites for sponsors to be onsite for the event. Fans can follow the action worldwide by tuning-in to The Golf Channel, which will provide extensive coverage throughout the match.
All four players will be mic’d up throughout the match so viewers won’t miss a beat. The opening ceremony will commemorate the life of Payne Stewart and will include Stewart’s wife Tracy and his children.
Payne’s Valley joins four existing and top-rated courses at the resort – Buffalo Ridge Springs (Tom Fazio), Ozarks National (Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw), Mountain Top (Gary Player) and Top of the Rock (Jack Nicklaus).
Ozarks National and Buffalo Ridge Springs claimed the top two spots in Golfweek’s 2020 annual rankings of the “Best Course You Can Play in Missouri.” Ozarks National earned the top spot following its grand opening last year with Buffalo Ridge – last year’s winner – following at No. 2. Ozarks National has also earned ranking as the Best New Course in Golf Digest. Big Cedar Lodge is now one of the best and largest golf resorts, including the top three 18-hole courses in the state and two of the most acclaimed short courses in the world.
Last September, Golf Magazine named Big Cedar Lodge, America’s premier wilderness resort, as the No. 1 family golf resort in North America, as part of its Top 100 Resorts issue for 2019-2020. Underscoring a commitment to conversation, all courses at Big Cedar Lodge are designated as Audubon Sanctuaries. This aligns with Morris’ greater commitment to conservation and his recent acceptance of the prestigious Audubon Medal.
