In golf, progress rarely happens alone. Behind nearly every great player is a mentor, someone who offers guidance, perspective, and belief at the right moment. For eight-time major champion Tom Watson, those early influences shaped not only his Hall of Fame career, but also the mission behind Watson Links.
“Golf and the mentors in my life shaped who I am,” Watson says. “Watson Links is about passing those lessons on and creating opportunities to give back in a meaningful way.”
With January recognized as National Mentoring Month, Watson Links’ mission underscores a growing need for quality mentorship in young people’s lives. In an increasingly digital world, the organization highlights the lasting value of face-to-face connection, using golf as a platform to support today’s youth both on and off the course.
Founded in 2021 in Watson’s hometown of Kansas City, Watson Links was created on a simple belief: golf is good for kids and relationships matter. Through mentoring and free 9-hole rounds, Watson Links removes cost and access barriers to playing and understanding golf. The organization is able to directly impact communities by also supporting program managers to overcome challenges like time constraints, strategic planning and more.
Unlike traditional junior programs focused on instruction or competition, Watson Links emphasizes connection. On-course mentoring rounds help juniors gain confidence while learning golf etiquette, course management, communication, and social skills—lessons that translate well beyond the fairway.
For mentors, the experience is equally powerful. “Golf mirrors life in so many ways, with its ups and downs, challenges, and moments of success,” says golf mentor Jay Lock. “It’s fulfilling to help juniors not only learn the game, but also develop the confidence to engage face-to-face, beyond the screens they’re used to.”
In 2025, Watson Links delivered 2,287 mentoring rounds for 1,153 participants, and more than 300 programming days across 20 US markets. Growth is fueled through partnerships with LPGA-USGA Girls Golf, First Tee, high school coaches, PGA and LPGA professionals, and generous golf facilities that open their courses to mentorship. Collaboration is another key ingredient to its model. Watson Links tees up everyone for success through helpful tools, support and in some cases, funding.
Looking ahead to 2026, Watson Links aims to expand through deeper industry partnerships, and a broader mentor network, including corporate and community-minded supporters.
At its core, Watson Links inspires connection and personal growth through golf mentoring. Communities win when we share golf’s positive values and help young people grow into confident players, and people, who benefit from the game for life. One nine-hole round at a time, the organization is proving that some of golf’s most important lessons aren’t taught on the range, but learned at any age, walking down the fairway together. To learn more about Watson Links and get involved in the golf mentoring movement, visit https://www.watsonlinks.org or email: [email protected].