ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND – AUGUST 22: Charley Hull of England reacts to her birdie on the 18th green during Day One of the AIG Women’s Open at St Andrews Old Course on August 22, 2024 in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Luke Walker/Getty Images)
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The Shorties Classic, sponsored by Tito’s, took place Friday, November 29th at the iconic Butler Pitch & Putt just outside downtown Austin, TX.
This year’s event shifted away from the usual lineup of YouTube golf celebrities, instead featuring several of professional golf’s most recognizable names. PGA Tour players Jake Knapp, Keith Mitchell, and Ben Griffin were joined by LPGA Tour star Charley Hull, with all proceeds benefiting charity.
Keith Mitchell praised the venue’s unique charm, telling Golfweek:
“I would say that the Butler Pitch & Putt in Austin is honestly the most fun version of golf I can think of because it’s constant action, it’s quick. It only takes you about an hour to play nine holes. Your level of golf is less important.”
Despite its public setting, the small par-3 course was walled off in secrecy on Friday, enclosed by chain-link fencing and black tarps. Up to 2,000 spectators were able to purchase $10 tickets, each including unlimited drinks. Tickets sold out within 48 hours.
Austin’s eclectic character, rooted in its vibrant music, food, and bar scene, extends to its public golf culture, especially the cult-favorite Butler Pitch & Putt.
Previous Shorties Classic competitor Joel Dahmen echoed that feeling in an interview with the Austin American-Statesman:
“Oh, it’s definitely one of the places I could see us moving. We got into town and the next morning I hopped on a scooter and headed out to breakfast. My kind of town.”
Fortunately for both players and fans, the cold snap gripping the city earlier in the week lifted just in time for the event. Hull opted for a skirt and vest, while Knapp was down to a polo and shorts, beer in hand by the seventh hole.
With holes ranging from 50 to 110 yards, spectators squeezed tightly around the small green complexes and elevated tee platforms. Ropes were minimal, making for an up-close and lively fan experience.
Players competed in a modified Stableford format, earning one point for par, two for birdie, and five for a hole-in-one. A bonus cross-country 10th hole determined who would leave with the championship belt.
The event’s final result has yet to be publicly announced. Only a handful of posts on X and Instagram have surfaced so far, with a full YouTube release expected in January 2026. Tito’s pledged charitable donations of $250,000 for first place, $125,000 for second, $75,000 for third, and $50,000 for fourth, ensuring every competitor’s charity benefitted from the day.
Golfweek. “Keith Mitchell on the Third Tito’s Shorties Classic at Austin’s Butler Pitch & Putt.” Golfweek, 30 Jan. 2024.
Austin American-Statesman. “Tito’s Shorties Classic Set for Return at Butler Pitch and Putt Course.” Austin American-Statesman, 4 Oct. 2023.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/break80/2025/12/01/big-names-small-course-huge-impact-inside-the-titos-shorties-classic/
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