Father-Son Team Classic Brings Family Bonding Together

For many people, golf is a game passed down through family, a means to bond in good times and bad. One of the game’s great celebrations of its familial roots – the Father-Son Team Classic – is beginning to appear on the horizon.

The 17th annual tournament, which is open to any father-son type relationship, including grandfather-son, stepson-father and son-in-law (uncle)-nephew, will take place in Myrtle Beach July 24-26. Nearly 1,000 golfers will come to the Grand Strand to play one of the game’s most unique tournaments.

At the 54-hole event’s heart is the time fathers and sons spend together. For some, the tournament reinforces already strong bonds, but for others it has helped mend fractured relationships.

“In the tournament’s second year, I was in middle of giving out flight prizes and a guy came up and said, ‘I’ve got to talk to you,’” said Robert Harper, the tournament’s founder. “He said my son and I hadn’t talked for seven years. There was a rift between my wife and his wife. Out of the blue he called me and said, ‘Dad let’s play golf.’ We sat down and talked about it, came here and met. We each brought our wives and found out it was a misunderstanding.’”

Those moments, while atypical, speak to the tournament’s emotional pull.

“(Players) will tell you, ‘We came in here thinking it was important to win, and we left realizing we won just by spending three days here,” Harper said.

The tournament, which features rounds of better ball, alternate shot, and Captain’s Choice, includes some of Myrtle Beach’s best golf courses. Crow Creek, Indian Wells, King’s North, Long Bay, the Love Course, Parkland, Rivers Edge and Prestwick are all hosting tournament rounds.

The Father-Son divides players into flights based on their verifiable USGA handicap.

The good times don’t end with each round. There is a cookout and skills contest that includes putting, chipping and a long drive following the opening round, and an awards ceremony and cookout following the final round.

The number and range of father-son combinations participating in the event speak to its popularity. 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.

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.

For first time participants, the Father-Son costs $1,200 per team. The cost is $975 for past participants. Registration includes the cost of all three rounds of golf, cart included, a $100 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.

For more information, go to: www.fathersongolf.com