The Second Annual PGA Family Golf Championship is set for Sept. 28-29, 2024, at the Palm Golf Course at Walt Disney World in Orlando. The course is at operated by Arnold Palmer Golf Management.
The PGA Family Golf Championship brings together teams of two to four 2 players who are all biologically or legally related. The inaugural PGA Family Golf Championship, held last year at PGA West in La Quinta, California, drew nearly 150 people from 24 states.
“PGA of America Golf Professionals are helping families create meaningful memories and connect through the game for a lifetime with PGA Family Golf,” said PGA of America President John Lindert, PGA Director of Golf at the Country Club of Lansing (Michigan). “The PGA Family Golf Championship is a reflection of what we see at golf courses every day – families enjoying the game together – and it’s sure to be an unforgettable experience.”
“The family nature of this tournament makes it the perfect event to be held at Walt Disney World Golf, which is passionate about bringing family fun to the game of golf,” said Alex Forsyth, PGA, Director of Sales and Marketing, Arnold Palmer Golf Management. “We have a long history of hosting a plethora of different events, from youth tournaments to PGA Tour events, so the PGA Family Golf Championships will further add to that tradition of extraordinary family-friendly golf events at the Walt Disney World Resort.’’
At the 2024 PGA Family Golf Championship, teams will play in one of four divisions:
- Junior: Teams include at least one adult and one junior
- Adult: Teams include all adults
- Professional Adult: Teams include at least one PGA of America Golf Professional or LPGA Professional
- Professional Junior: Teams include at least one PGA of America Golf Professional or LPGA Professional and at least one junior
In alignment with the American Development Model (ADM), juniors competing in the Championship must be between the ages of 10-17 on Sept. 28, 2024.
The first round will be a scramble format where two players hit a tee shot. Teams will select the best shot and two players will play from that spot and continue this process until the ball is holed. For those competing in a junior division, one adult and one junior must have an attempt at each shot. The final round will be a modified alternate shot format where two players hit a tee shot. Team will select the best shot and then alternate shots between players until the ball is holed. Junior division teams will alternate their shots between adults and juniors. The team with the lowest 36-hole stroke play total at the end of round two will be named the champion of their division.
PGA Family Golf launched nationally in 2022, inspired by the innovative and welcoming team-based format of the PGA of America’s successful PGA Jr. League program. PGA Family Golf brings family members of all ages and skill levels together on multi-generational teams, and programs are hosted exclusively by PGA of America Golf Professionals and LPGA Professionals.
Local PGA Family Golf participants can earn invitations to the National Championship through the below qualifications:
- The top five teams in the two-player division; champions and runners-up in the four-player division; and champions and runners-up in the professional division at the 2023 PGA Family Golf Championship.
- Winning teams from local PGA Family Golf events held after Aug. 1, 2023.
The 2024 PGA Family Golf Championship will kick off Friday, Sept. 27, with optional practice rounds as well as a putting contest and welcome reception at Disney’s Palm and Disney’s Magnolia Golf Clubhouse. Competition rounds will be held on Disney’s Palm Golf Course Saturday, Sept. 28, and Sunday, Sept. 29, with awards distributed immediately following play.
Walt Disney World Resort features three championship courses – Disney’s Magnolia, Palm and Lake Buena Vista Golf Courses – as well as a nine-hole walking course – Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course. Each of the courses are known for their majestic trees, elevated tee boxes, spacious greens, wide fairways and challenging water hazards, plus their Audubon International certification as a Cooperative Wildlife Sanctuary.
Golfers have access to individual and group instruction, rental clubs, a clubhouse with locker-rooms and retail store. Golf carts feature touch-screen GPS units, and Robo-Caddies – a small robotic golf cart that employs GPS and Bluetooth technology – can transport your clubs and all of your additional gear safely around Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course. Mobility-impaired golfers have access to individual adaptive carts called SoloRiders. And each course has various Disney touches, from beverage carts themed after popular Disney characters to Mickey-shaped tee markers, plus legendary Disney guest service.
Arnold Palmer Golf Management (APGM) operates clubs, resorts and golf courses in the true spirit of Arnold Palmer – with pride, consideration and honor. The senior management team has worked together for over 30 years and includes industry veterans with exceptional knowledge and track records. The APGM team has managed more than 500 golf courses, which combined represent more than $6 billion in golf, hospitality and real estate assets. APGM operates clubs and courses throughout the United States and manages several thousand highly dedicated people who are committed to superior management and service of all facets of club and golf operations including: member acquisition and retention, revenue generation, event programming, yield management, expense control, agronomy, private events and tournament sales, clubhouse operations, capital improvements, accounting and technology systems.
Photo Courtesy of PGA of America