Legends Of Golf Is Back, With A Par-3 Course Component!

Adam Schupak had the news first: a little Duck Dynasty is coming to the Champions Tour!

Oh, and some of the geezers in the rescued Legends of Golf will play a Jack Nicklaus-designed par-3 course to help grow the game. Swell idea, but when the event centers around a lot of old, rich guys, talking shooting and fishing as they did during today's Golf Channel televised live press conference, I'm not sure how many millennial's or families will suddenly see par-3 golf as cool golf.

Still, kudos to the PGA Tour for finding a sponsor and using the Champions Tour to experiment with formats.

In the PGATour.com account, Tom Watson, who is building a Himalayas putting green at the resort, is quoted making an interesting statement.

"At Big Cedar Lodge you have all the elements to make the Legends of Golf a unique tournament and to show fans that golf, even for professionals at the highest level, doesn't have to be played on long, 18-hole courses," Watson said. "I'm proud to have lent a hand in the creation of such a special place and am enthusiastic about Top of the Rock and hope this innovative approach will inspire new golfers, who have limited time on their hands, to take up the game. Families and kids barely have time to consider golf, but a nine-hole par-3 course is a perfect option to get started in the game."

Meanwhile, the Commish is talking properties.

"The Legends of Golf and Champions Tour both share a history of being innovative and engaging properties, and that legacy will certainly continue here at Big Cedar Lodge with the introduction of a Par-3 golf course in official competition," Finchem said.  "If there was ever a Par-3 course worthy of PGA TOUR tournament play, Top of the Rock is it.  It truly is an outstanding venue and a wonderful complement to the newly redesigned Buffalo Ridge course. We believe the inclusion of this dramatic short course will demonstrate to a time-crunched world that par-3 golf is fun, entertaining, and a worthy alternative for golfers. We thank Johnny Morris, Governor Nixon, and MasterCard for their support of this popular event and are excited to present a refreshing new concept to our players and fans."