National Golf Club of Kansas City (National)

Tom Watson is best known for his five Open victories. One might expect such results from a golf phenom living among sandy dunes similar to that which hosts The Open, but Watson’s upbringing in Kansas City is a totally different story on slope, however. There is certainly elevation change to be had, but at an entirely different level than that seen on Scotland’s shores.

Watson’s design at the National Golf Club of Kansas City showcases such terrain, best on display in the 90-foot tee-to-green drop on the ninth hole. The No. 18 hole, not wanting to to disappoint after the route’s initial approach to the clubhouse, climbs for 577 yards, twice crossing a creek (which also crosses the fairway at No. 17). In between and all around these two holes, rolling terrain is the calling card of the National Golf Club.

Because of this terrain and its 7,000 yards (and perhaps because of Watson’s continuing influence on the game) the PGA Champions Tour swung by twice for the Bayer Advantage tournament.

The club’s second route – The Deuce – plays out of a separate clubhouse to the south of the primary facility. As its name suggests, it’s number two on the dice.