Lions(Gate), (no) Tigers and the Bear, oh my!

There’s no place like Kansas for the Champions Tour this week, with the Greater Kansas City Golf Classic being held at the Nicklaus Golf Club at LionsGate, a Jack Nicklaus signature course. It’s the first of two consecutive weeks in the state, as next week’s U.S. Senior Open will be played in Hutchinson, Kan.

“I’m looking forward to playing two weeks in close proximity to each other,” Loren Roberts said of the upcoming schedule. “It might work out best for someone who is on a roll, especially with three majors in four weeks.”

This week’s tournament features a unique pro-am format, where each Champions Tour player is paired with the same amateur or celebrity on Friday and Saturday in a “best ball of two” event. On Sunday, only the low 12 teams play. Celebrity participants include Vince Gill, who is partnered with friend David Eger, George Brett, Ozzie Smith, Rick Sutcliffe and Trent Green.

Two of the most anticipated and interesting pairings don’t include celebrity guests however. Brothers Lanny and Bobby Wadkins, who both play on Tour, are teamed up with their sons. Lanny’s 13-year-old son Tucker and Bobby’s 16-year-old son Casey will complete a family foursome.

Lanny said the idea was Bobby’s and that all four are excited about playing together. His nephew Casey, who has competed in five national baseball tournaments, said it will be fun to play with cousin Tucker, whom he doesn’t see too often. Casey added, “I’ve never played in front of this many people. I know I’ll be nervous.”

Casey won’t be alone. Even the two pros in the family aren’t above feeling anxious about their chances at the event. “If the wind blows, it’s going to be a good test. There’s a good chance the dads will be more nervous than the boys,” Lanny said.

No matter the outcome, Bobby is just happy they are playing as a team. “It’s just a chance for us to have fun,” he said. “The kids will have a different experience the next few days. Whatever takes place this week with our score is a bonus.”

Another group that’s creating a buzz features Roberts and Jay Haas, the two hottest players on Tour. Both have won three events this season but have not gone head to head in a tournament since the Senior PGA Championship.

“It will be great to play with Jay for the first two days,” said Roberts, who watched Haas take the top spot on the money list and grab the lead in the Charles Schwab Cup competition. “It should be fun. I don’t really consider Jay a rival. I’ll try to get myself in position to win on Sunday. That’s what Jay’s trying to do as well.”

Loren Roberts has 10 top-10 finishes on the Champions Tour in 2006. (Condon/PGA TOUR/ WireImage)

“It’s my first time in Kansas City, Tom Watson’s home,” Roberts added. “I thoroughly enjoy going to the new places on the Champions Tour. It’s nice to be a rookie again.”

Roberts may be new to town, but Dana Quigley sure isn’t. Quigley, the defending champion, has twice beaten hometown hero Watson in a playoff in the event (2000 and 2005). He’s been battling negative side effects from blood pressure medication this season but Quigley seems to be back on track after his recent fourth-place finish at the Senior PGA Championship and sixth in the Commerce Bank Championship. He said he doesn’t feel dizzy anymore and is raring to play the event.

“I’m glad to be back here,” Quigley said. “I’ve had good luck against Watson here. If you beat the guy who owns the town, you earn their respect and I think I’ve done that here.”

As for Watson, he said the course is ready to go and so is he. “I’m here to compete and I’m here to win. Nicklaus was here 10 days ago and he made it clear to me what I was here to do and that’s win,” Watson said.

Old rivalries. New favorites. A family foursome. All three make this event the perfect kick-off for what looks to be an exciting second half of the season.