The Payne's Valley Cup, which took place the Tuesday after Bryson DeChambeau won the 2020 US Open at Winged Foot, was a special, star-studded event officially opening and showcasing Tiger Woods' new course, Payne's Valley, at the Big Cedar Lodge resort in the Ozarks, Hollister, Missouri. Payne's Valley is named after the late three-time major winner Payne Stewart who was born in Springfield, Missouri. Have you ever seen the 1989 Fred Savage movie The Wizard? It was just one big advertisement for Nintendo disguised as a movie. Well, the Payne's Valley Cup, broadcast live and on repeat on Golf Channel, was just one big advertisement for Tiger's new course. Payne's Valley is the first TGR Design (Tiger's golf course design company) in the US that is open for public play. It looks amazing. The Payne's Valley Cup worked because when I looked for tee times the day after the event, the website said: "Due to extreme demand, we are experiencing intermittent technical difficulties. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please note: Although our call center is open, our call volume is at a record high. Wait times are significantly longer than normal. We apologize for the inconvenience!" In October, 18 holes at Payne's Valley cost $225 to play. In November and December, $195. This event wasn't a complete money-grab though. It raised money for the Payne Stewart Family Foundation which, according to its website, "primarily assists with programs that allow children and youth to have new opportunities to experience the joy of the Christian life." Beneficiaries include Kids Across America (benefitting urban and minority children), the AJGA (American Junior Golf Association), and the Heart of the Ozarks Junior Golf Foundation (increasing access to golf for elementary school kids in Springfield). This was an exhibition match reminiscent of other made-for-TV charity golf matches from earlier this year, both in May: TaylorMade Driving Relief (Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, Matthew Wolff) and Capital One's The Match: Champions for Charity (Tiger Woods, Peyton Manning, Phil Mickelson, Tom Brady). There were unconventional camera angles, golf carts, drone shots, and the players were mic'd up. At best, it was as entertaining as your average televised Tour event. Fans were allowed, which I thought was interesting considering no Tour event has allowed fans up to this point, due to COVID-19. Note: This was not an official Tour event. Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas, who represented America, beat Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose, who represented Europe. It was a mixed scoring format (best ball, alternate shot, singles) over 19 holes (yes, 19). Living legends Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player participated on the 19th hole, a super-unique par-3 featuring an island green, waterfalls, and a pond carved into the mountainside. All six players, ranging in ages 27 (Thomas) to 84 (Player), with a combined 48 majors between them, hit the green: https://twitter.com/TD2timeMVP/status/1308911729900953600. Big Cedar Lodge has gotten a lot of national TV exposure these last few months thanks to this event and the PGA Tour Champions event, Charles Schwab Series at Ozarks National, where Phil Mickelson made his Champions Tour debut and won: https://www.yelp.com/biz/charles-schwab-series-at-ozarks-national-hollister. Like JT said while mic'd up and walking the course, Big Cedar Lodge seems like a great place for a guys trip. read more

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