Hot fun in the summertime: National Father & Son Team Classic set for July 2010

          I have two vivid memories of golf competition in my 50 years of playing the game.  The first was a 45-foot uphill, curling putt I sank on the last hole of a 63-hole four-ball event at my home course in 1987 to beat Dick McAuliffe and his teammate; McAuliffe, a former professional baseball player with World Series experience, was a tenacious competitor, which made my stroke of good fortune even sweeter.  My putt vaulted our team from 3rd to 1st Place and earned us some nice prize money.

         The other event, a four-ball as well, was at the Father & Son Team Classic in Myrtle Beach in 2000.  My then 11-year

old son Tim was my partner and his handicap was down to about a 13, just a stroke or two north of my own at the time.  Because he was under 13, he was permitted to hit from the ladies tees, a big advantage for us and a mediating effect against teams with 20 somethings who hit the ball 275 yards and beyond.  Tim stayed with them with his 50-yard advantage, and we won the net competition in our flight, earning a crystal vase for wife and mother and some bragging rights for us.

         Many of you who read this blog have passed on the love of golf to your sons, daughters and, in some cases, your grandchildren.  Competition with one of them by your side is both fun and a bonding experience.  There is no bigger stage for that experience than the annual Father & Son Team Classic in Myrtle Beach, SC, held annually in late July.  The three-day event, played on a dozen or so area golf courses, attracts as many as 1,400 players.  The combinations of fathers and sons, sons-in law or grandsons are broken out into flights based on handicaps.  Each flight holds about 18 teams and carries the names of famous golfers.  (We've played in the Els, Floyd, and Nicklaus flights).  The competition is best ball on day one, followed by alternate shot and then the scramble (or captain's choice).   It is all great fun playing with and against teams of the same levels as you and your son (or father).

         The tournament is played over more than a dozen of Myrtle Beach's most popular courses, including the Barefoort Resort, Pine Lakes International, Grande Dunes and The Thistle Club (course assignments are random).  Because steamy July is actually the off-season for golf in Myrtle Beach (bring sunscreen and drink plenty of fluids), some of the resorts away from the beach offer substantial discounts for Father & Son competitors.  The team entry fee, which next year will be $1,175 ($225 off for previous competitors), includes breakfasts, an awards barbecue, all green fees and carts for the event, and $400 in credit at Martin's Golf Superstore, plus a few gifts.

         I don't know of any national father/daughter event, but a Father/Daughter International event will be held at the Greg Norman-designed Doonbeg golf resort in Ireland next July.  Last year's winners were from The Cliffs Communities in North Carolina.

         For more information about next year's Father & Son event, visit FatherSonGolf.com.

The Thistle Golf Club, north of Myrtle Beach, is one of the courses in the Father/Son Team Championship rotation.