Father-Son Classic Brings Families Together

The family stories that pour out of the Martin’s PGA TOUR Superstore Father-Son Team Classic are many, and every tale of a happy family enjoying the event puts a smile on the face of tournament organizers. But the world’s largest father-son golf tournament can be every bit as therapeutic as it is celebratory.

The 12th annual Father-Son Golf Classic, which will be held July 16-18 in Myrtle Beach, has used the power of golf to heal family wounds.

“We get stories that say, ‘Me and my son have fallen apart and it’s been 3 or 4 years since we’ve seen each other,” Ryan Hart, the Father-Son tournament director, said. “To get together for those three days means so much to them and you can tell. It gives you goose bumps. That’s what is so great about running this tournament – it pays the bills but it’s real nice to be able to touch people’s lives like that.”

More than 1,000 people annually compete in the 54-hole event, which is open to any father-son type relationship, including grandfather-son, stepson-father and son-in-law (uncle)-nephew, and whether the familial bond is iron-clad or frayed, the tournament delivers the same quality of experience.

The Father-Son (official site) features a different format each day – two-man better ball, alternate shot and captain’s choice – and the tournament is played on some of the Myrtle Beach area’s best golf courses, including Barefoot Resort & Golf, Tidewater, Grande Dunes and Thistle Club.

“It makes our event better,” Hart said of the course lineup. “When I go somewhere I want to play somewhere real nice and get a little something special to remember, and we are able to provide that.”

While competitive nature takes over on the course, the tournament experience is the primary motivation for many players. In an increasingly hectic world, the opportunity to spend three days on the golf course with a parent or child is invaluable.

The tournament’s varying formats keep the event fresh and even helps provide a little edge.

“Alternate shot has the most stories,” Hart says. “You hear, ‘Dad did this or he did that.’ There is just enough tension between father and son.”

The good times don’t end with each round. There is a skills contest that includes putting, chipping and a long drive after the first two rounds of the event, and an awards ceremony and cookout following the final round. With Ruth’s Chris handling the cookout, the closing ceremonies are always popular.

The number and range of father-son combinations participating in the event speak to its popularity. Last year, five Air Force generals participated and there are always a host of PGA club pros from around the country that play. Former athletes and politicians such as Lou Holtz, 1960 World Series MVP Bobby Richardson, and former South Carolina governor Jim Hodges, all of whom were named “Father of the Year,” have played.

Joe Louis Barrow, the son of boxing legend Joe Louis and the CEO of the First Tee program, will be honored as Father of the Year at this year’s event.

July is a month where families crowd into the Myrtle Beach area, filling the beach, and the Father-Son Team Classic blends the concept of a family vacation and golf.

“The highlight for me is after the event when everyone has gone home and the emails start coming in,” Hart said. “Fourteen out of 15 emails are people that took the time to write back to us about how much they enjoyed it and how special it actually is to them.”

For first time participants, the Father-Son costs $1,175 per team. The cost is $950 for past participants. Registration includes the cost of all three rounds of golf, cart included, a $200 PGA Tour Superstore gift card for each player, a hat, shirt, balls and more. The entry fee also includes dinner at the awards ceremony for each player and a guest.

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