During the week leading up to the 90th playing of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, golf legend Tom Watson returned to one of the game’s most iconic stages—participating in the Par 3 Contest and serving as an honorary starter.
While he was there, Tom joined Steve Sands along with Brad Faxon and Eamon Lynch, to share stories and insights in a LIVE FROM The Masters segment that aired on The Golf Channel April 7th, 2026. During the segment, he reflected not only on his history with the game, but on something even more meaningful: the role of mentorship played in his journey and the power it has in shaping the next generation. That belief is what inspired Watson Links.
“I want to create lifetime golfers. Right from the beginning, I want them to find a love of the game,” Tom says. “How best to find a love of the game is playing with somebody who loves it and shepherds you along the way like a mentor. And that’s our organization.”
Click here to view Tom’s interview in its entirety. Recording provided courtesy of the Golf Channel with permissions granted by Augusta National Golf Course, ANGC.
For Tom, moments like those as a kid playing golf with his dad, then later at Augusta, are about more than competition—they’re about legacy, connection, and the people who help shape your journey along the way.
That’s the spirit behind Watson Links: creating opportunities for young golfers to step onto the course alongside a mentor, building not only skills, but confidence, character, and lasting relationships.
Because sometimes, the most meaningful lessons in golf happen between shots.
You can find Watson Links in over 51 markets in 23 states. Click here to explore our 2026 locations. To get involved as a junior golfer or mentor, register at my.watsonlinks.com.
About Watson Links
Watson Links is a nonprofit youth golf mentoring organization founded in 2021 by eight-time major champion Tom Watson. The organization builds community and personal growth through golf mentoring. Watson Links works with local partners to create or strengthen programs that pair junior golfers ages 10–18 with vetted adult mentors. These on-course experiences build confidence, teach golf etiquette, and develop important life-readiness skills while helping remove barriers to the game. In 2026, Watson Links programs will span over 51 markets nationwide, engaging golfers of all ages and skill levels in a growing mentoring movement through golf.
