Tom Watson discusses Mozingo youth course
PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN JASINSKI
Northwest Missouri State University President John Jasinski, left, speaks with PGA golf legend Tom Watson during an interview recorded when Watson visited Maryville last month. The interview was to air at 9:06 a.m. today on KXCV/KRNW radio and will subsequently be available online at www.kxcv.org.
MARYVILLE, Mo. — A conversation between renowned PGA golfer Tom Watson and Northwest Missouri State University President John Jasinski will air at 9:06 a.m. today on KXCV/KRNW, the university’s 100,000-watt public radio station, which broadcasts at 90.5 and 88.9 on the FM dial.
The “All Things Northwest” interview, recorded in Maryville last month, will also be available online at www.kxcv.org later in the day.
According to a university release, Watson talks with Jasinski about his role in the design of a new youth course at city-owned Mozingo Lake Recreation Park. The nine-hole course, named Watson 9, is scheduled to open this summer.
During the interview, Watson talks about his desire to create more opportunities for young people to play golf and reflects on his own early exposure to the game.
“I fear we’re not creating new golfers, and this facility is a place where we can do that,” Watson said. “It gives the opportunity to teach the game at an early level that will create lifetime golfers. My whole point … is to try to get the kids to love the game enough where they want to continue to play it when they get older.”
Other portions of the conversation include Watson recounting career highlights and describing his friendships with top players like Sam Snead and Jack Nicklaus.
“Mr. Watson was very gracious with his time, and everything was on the table from his childhood through his storied career, charity work, design projects and the importance of youth golf,” said KXCV-KRNW Station Manager Rodney Harris.
The second portion of the program features Jasinski talking with local dentist Dr. Bruce Twaddle, who mounted the effort to raise more than a half-million dollars in private, foundation and corporate donations used to build the new course.
Twaddle said he was inspired to organize the drive after traveling to Scotland and observing youth golf facilities available there.
After returning to Maryville, Twaddle formed an exploratory committee in 2012 that subsequently began meeting with Watson, who agreed to provide course design services through his company, Tom Watson Design.
A member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, Watson has designed more than a dozen courses in the United States and several other countries.
During his 45-year golf career, Watson, who grew up in Kansas City, has claimed four Missouri state amateur championships, eight PGA major championships, 39 PGA tour wins and 71 total professional wins, including three senior British Open titles.
He was considered by many to be the world’s top golfer in the 1980s and is a six-time PGA Player of the Year. In addition, Watson has been a member of five Ryder Cup teams.
A noted philanthropist, Watson founded the Bruce Edwards Foundation for ALS research in honor of his longtime caddie and has helped raise money for Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.
“All Things Northwest” is underwritten by United Electric Cooperative, Atchison/Holt Electric Cooperative and Clarinda Regional Health Center. The program airs at 9:06 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month and features Jasinski discussing topics of interest with both community leaders and university faculty and staff.
