In April 2015, AJGA alumnus and PGA TOUR professional Billy Andrede won the Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf PGA Champion event with Joe Durant at Buffalo Ridge Springs Golf Course in Hollister, Missouri.
In July 2015, AJGA juniors Varun Chopra and Kenzie Wright won the Bass Pro Shops / Payne Stewart Junior Championship at the same course the legends had conquered three months prior.
2016 marks the seventh year the AJGA has hosted this tournament in Missouri.
“Allowing junior golfers to play at this wonderful facility where professionals also play competitively is an excellent opportunity for them. And having juniors play here and promote the game of golf is a great opportunity for us,” said Greg Thomas, head golf professional at Buffalo Ridge Springs Golf Course.
Bass Pro Shops has co-sponsored this AJGA event since it commenced in 2007, but the tournament moved to Hollister, Missouri, in 2015 after John Morris, event sponsor and founder of Bass Pro Shops, purchased Buffalo Ridge Springs Golf Course.
For the second year in a row, this course will allow juniors the opportunity to compete with a view. The par-71 course was designed by Tom Fazio in 1999 and overlooks the Ozarks.
“We have golfers coming from all over the country to play in this AJGA event, and they get a chance to see the natural beauty of the Ozarks and see what we have to offer,” said Thomas. “For most people, it’s very eye-opening because they have no idea how beautiful this part of the country is.”
This week, 84 juniors will find out as they travel from 17 states to compete in the 54-hole stroke-play event.