I have been receiving my annual emailings from the Myrtle Beach Father & Son Golf Classic, set for this coming July. The three day event features hundreds of teams comprising mostly fathers and sons, but also fathers and son-in-laws and grandfathers and grandsons. My son Tim and I first played in the tournament 10 years ago, when he was just nine years old and was permitted to play from the front tees. When he was 11, his last year from the front tees, we actually won our flight of 17 teams. It was a hoot.
The entry fee is pricey at $1,175 ($900 if you have played in any previous Classic) but the memories are
The fee includes food and beverages during the event, including a festive barbecue at the awards ceremony, some golf paraphernalia (shirts, sometimes shoes, other stuff) and, maybe best of all, $400 in store credit at the enormous Martin's Golf and Tennis Superstore in Myrtle Beach. For those who feel the need the buy a new putter or 10 dozen Pro V1s, this is the time.
The roster of more than a dozen courses that host the event is impressive and includes the well regarded Tidewater, Barefoot Resort, the newly reconstituted Pine Lakes International and the three courses at The Legends Resort. The format is both fun and a little nervewracking; it includes one round of best ball, one of captains choice (two-man scramble) and -- this is the nervewracking part -- a round of alternate shot.
If any of our faithful readers intend to participate this year, please let me know and I will be sure to stop by and say hi (but not at the top of your backswing). And what better time to make a visit or two to one of the Myrtle Beach area's fine golf communities. I am happy to help with that.
More information on the Father & Son Golf Classic is at FatherSonGolf.com.