The East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia, known for its history and prestige in professional golf, recently played host to an event that could signal a new era in the sport—the Creator Classic. With social media influencers and YouTube stars sharing the spotlight with established golf pros, this event represents a cultural shift in how golf is consumed and appreciated by fans across the globe. Organized on the eve of the TOUR Championship, the Creator Classic brought together some of YouTube’s most prominent golf personalities for a unique tournament that captivated viewers and blurred the lines between traditional sports broadcasting and digital content creation. Sun vs. Fever Predictions, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s WNBA Game: A Closer Look
Setting the Scene at East Lake
Scottie Scheffler, one of the top professional golfers in the world, arrived at a crowded practice green at East Lake. On either side of him were YouTube sensations: Nick “Fat Perez” Stubbe from the popular channel Bob Does Sports, and Tyler Toney from Dude Perfect, both warming up for the Creator Classic. It was a surreal moment where the worlds of professional golf and digital content seamlessly merged. Scheffler, along with his coach Phil Kenyon, found a moment of calm amid the buzz, working on his putting drills while Perez and Toney, trailed by camera crews and enthusiastic fans, made their way to the tee.
The Creator Classic became the high point for YouTube golf in 2024, reaching an impressive 110,000 live viewers on YouTube and simulcasting on ESPN+ and Peacock. This groundbreaking event featured 16 of the most recognized YouTube golf creators competing on East Lake’s hallowed grounds, demonstrating the power and appeal of digital content in modern sports. The competitive yet fun nature of the event culminated in a sudden-death playoff, where Luke Kwon emerged victorious after sinking a 15-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole.
A Milestone for YouTube Golf
PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, “The response from fans and from the content creators themselves has been overwhelming.” The Creator Classic marked a significant moment in YouTube golf's integration with the professional realm. The blend of professional golfers and content creators is becoming increasingly common, with events like "The Q at Myrtle Beach" setting a precedent earlier in the year. In that event, both YouTube creators and professional golfers competed for a spot in the PGA TOUR's Myrtle Beach Classic, which was eventually won by Matt Atkins, a former TOUR player.
The Creator Classic represented an even bolder step by being the first event to be broadcast from the newly renovated East Lake course, just a day before the TOUR Championship. The visibility of this event drew attention from professional players like Joel Dahmen, who provided on-course commentary, and caddies like Austin Kaiser and John Ellis, who were spotted watching Fat Perez tee off.
Blending Competition and Entertainment
True to the spirit of YouTube, the Creator Classic was not just a standard golf tournament; it was a spectacle that mirrored the competitive yet whimsical nature of YouTube golf content. The event kicked off with ceremonial tee shots from Barstool Sports' Fore Play members Riggs, Trent, and Frankie, followed by unconventional golf shots like left-handed trick-shot artist Mac Boucher flipping a right-handed driver to hit a 285-yard drive, and Mason Nutt of BustaJack Golf hitting a driver off the deck.
The zaniness continued with Garrett Clark of Good Good Golf making a quintuple bogey on the par-4 12th hole, and Roger Steele, known for his energetic hosting style on Callaway’s Range Talk, launching a 346-yard drive on the 10th hole with a ball speed touching 195 mph. Throughout the event, various TV networks, Netflix, and YouTube cameras captured every moment, offering a multidimensional viewing experience for the fans who stayed until the end, just before 8 p.m. ET.
The Climax: A Sudden-Death Playoff
The tournament format included eight holes of stroke play, with the top four finishers advancing to a one-hole sudden-death playoff. Wesley Bryan led the field at 2-under, while Roger Steele, Sean Walsh, and Luke Kwon finished at 1-under. In a nail-biting finale, Luke Kwon clinched the win with a birdie on the 18th hole, sending the crowd and viewers into a frenzy. The leaderboard was filled with notable names:
Name Score relative to par (through 8 holes, prior to playoff)
- Luke Kwon (winner) 1-under
- Wesley Bryan 2-under
- Roger Steele 1-under
- Sean Walsh 1-under
- Brad Dalke Even
- Micah Morris Even
- Peter Finch Even
- George Bryan IV 1-over
- Paige Spiranac 2-over
- Gabby Golfgirl 3-over
- Mason Nutt 4-over
- Aimee Cho 4-over
- Fat Perez 5-over
- Garrett Clark 6-over
- Mac Boucher 7-over
- Tyler Toney 10-over
The Future of Golf: A Hybrid Approach
The success of the Creator Classic is indicative of a broader trend in the sports world—one that embraces both traditional competition and modern content creation. As the popularity of YouTube golf channels continues to grow, the integration between professional and digital worlds seems inevitable. Golf influencers and content creators bring a fresh perspective to the game, appealing to a younger and more diverse audience, and expanding the reach of golf beyond its conventional demographic.
Players like the Bryan Brothers and Grant Horvat, who hosted an alternative ESPN+ stream during the FedEx St. Jude Championship, have shown that there is a significant appetite for this type of content. The Creator Classic was the culmination of these efforts, setting the stage for future collaborations between content creators and professional golfers.
Engaging the Next Generation
For many young fans, YouTube golf channels are more than just entertainment—they are the gateway to the sport. Channels like Good Good, Bob Does Sports, and Dude Perfect offer a combination of humor, instruction, and competition, making golf more accessible and less intimidating for newcomers. The Creator Classic has the potential to inspire more events like it, where creativity and competition coexist.
The inclusion of diverse content creators such as Paige Spiranac, who has built a significant following by blending golf with lifestyle content, and Fat Perez, known for his relatable persona, demonstrates the inclusivity and broad appeal of YouTube golf. Their participation showcases that golf can be fun, dynamic, and inclusive, attracting fans who might not otherwise engage with traditional golf broadcasts.
A New Chapter in Golf’s Evolution
The Creator Classic at East Lake may well be remembered as a turning point for the game of golf. By merging the worlds of professional sports and digital content creation, this event proved that there is room for both tradition and innovation in modern golf. It offered a fresh take on a game that has been around for centuries, reaching new audiences and providing a unique platform for content creators and professionals alike.
As the lines between traditional and digital media continue to blur, the Creator Classic serves as a template for how other sports might engage with their audiences in the future. With its blend of competition, entertainment, and community, the event has set a new standard for what sports can be in the digital age—exciting, inclusive, and always evolving. The future of golf, it seems, is brighter and more diverse than ever before.
