Watson Links and American Century Investments Announce Golf Mentoring Initiative
Kansas City, MO – Watson Links, the youth golf mentoring organization founded by golf legend Tom Watson, is proud to announce a new partnership with American Century Investments (ACI). As a prelude to the 2025 American Century Championship golf tournament in Lake Tahoe, American Century Investments will host the ACI Swing Series driven by Watson Links in five cities across the United States.
To further share the love of golf and give back to even more local communities, the ACI Swing Series will run June 16 – July 11. This golf mentoring initiative will provide dozens of junior golfers with free, on-course play alongside an adult golf mentor. ACI associates will serve as mentors in Connecticut, Dallas, Kansas City, New Jersey, and Santa Clara. Golf mentors are positive role models who help pave the way for positivity and fun for young players of all skill levels. Through these mentor-driven rounds ACI associates will help build player confidence that goes far beyond the game.
“Golf has the power to shape character and create connections that last a lifetime,” said Tom Watson, eight-time major champion and founder of Watson Links. “With the help of ACI and its associates, we’re able to reach new markets and more juniors who can benefit from golf mentoring and on-course play. We’re thrilled to provide juniors the chance to experience this game and the positive impact it can have on their lives.”
Watson Links, which began in Watson’s hometown of Kansas City, is committed to driving relationships and eliminating barriers to the game—including course access, cost, and knowledge—so that more kids and teens can discover the joy and lifelong value of golf. Golf mentoring provides junior golfers with positive role models who serve as personal, on-course guides, opening up new possibilities for fun!
“Through our partnership with Watson Links, American Century Investments is giving back to the community through junior golf and mentoring. It makes sense because the intrinsic positive values that come from playing golf, such as honesty, patience, and sportsmanship, are also foundational for business success. We are proud to support the next generation of leaders on and off the course,” said Jonathan Thomas, President and CEO of American Century Investments.
About Watson Links
Founded by golf legend Tom Watson, Watson Links champions on-course play and golf mentoring. As a golf mentoring advocacy and consultancy group, the non-profit drives meaningful connections between young golfers and experienced volunteers through its various initiatives. The program promotes on-course experiences designed to foster mentorship, build character, and grow a lifelong love for the game. During the 2025 golf season, Watson Links is bringing its unique mentorship-based model to more than 17 markets across the United States. Learn more at watsonlinks.org.
About American Century Championship
The American Century Championship golf tournament, July 9-13, 2025, in Lake Tahoe, is a charitable celebrity tournament that has earned a reputation for being one of the most family-oriented, philanthropic, prestigious and reputable celebrity golf tournaments in the country, and has raised more than $8 million for dozens of worthy causes and nonprofits. Charities supported this year include the Stowers Institute for Medical Research and local Tahoe nonprofits. Past American Century Championship players have included Kansas City’s own Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Rob Riggle and Marcus Allen, and many other celebrity and professional athletes like Stephen Curry, Charles Barkley, Tony Romo and Annika Sorenstam. Learn more at americancenturychampionship.com.