By George McNeilly
Nearly 100 golfers from 23 states made some lasting Walt Disney World memories while enjoying quality time together in the second annual PGA Family Championship, this past Sept. 28-29, on Disney’s Palm Golf Course operated by Arnold Palmer Golf Management.
This championship, in Lake Buena Vista, FL., brought together teams of two to four, who are either biologically or legally related, for a magical weekend of golf. Thankfully the impeding threat of Hurricane Helene never materialized in Central Florida, and opening round and dhampions were awarded in four divisions:
Junior/Adult: Teams include at least one adult and one junior
CHAMPION: Nick Kondratiuk and Andrew Kondratiuk (brothers), Dallas, Texas, –
Brothers Nick and Andrew Kondratiuk had the lead for most of the two-day event in the Junior/Adult division and captured the championship with a -8, four shots better than second place.
“It’s pretty special to play on a course where (PGA) Tour Professionals have played,” Andrew Kondratiuk said. “There are signs on the holes that show the history of this course, and it’s great to be in the moment and play at a place where so much history was made.”
Nick added, “Each hole has a special story, so it gives you a really good feeling when you are playing well on such a tough course.”
Adult: Teams include all adults
CHAMPION: Nate Murphy and Stephen Peltier (cousins), Dalton, Mass., -9
First time participants at Disney, Nate Murphy and Stephen Peltier, shot under par in all four rounds in the Adult Division winning the championship with a -9, six shots ahead of the second-place team.
“We thought it would be a good task for our golf game,” Peltier said. “I played in the national club championship a couple of years ago in Kiawah, so I brought Nate with me to get away and enjoy Florida for a week.”
Professional/Adult: Teams include at least one PGA of America Golf Professional or LPGA Professional
CHAMPION: Danny Elkins, PGA, and wife Leslie Elkins, Roswell, Georgia, -6
Danny Elkins, PGA, was quick to credit his wife, Leslie, with their first-place finish in the Professional/Adult division.
“She made the putt on the last hole to win,” said Danny Elkins, PGA, of his wife, Leslie, who paired with him to capture first place. “That was very cool, and she knew she had to make it to win.”
Professional/Junior: Teams include at least one PGA of America Golf Professional or LPGA Professional and at least one junior
CHAMPION: Dave DeSantis, PGA; Holly DeSantis and Gordie Gatrell (grandson), Salt Lake City, Utah, -11
Repeat Disney participants Dave DeSantis along with wife Holly and grandson Gordie Gatrell defended their title with a win in the Professional/Junior division with a -11, four better than the second-place team. They plan to go for championship number three next year.
“We will be back next year, and as many times as we can for sure,” said Gatrell, who teamed with his grandparents, Dave and Holly DeSantis. “This was a great tournament and we will be in Whistling Straits next year.”
What A Venue!
“It’s really a special Florida-style resort golf course,” said Texan Shelby Neal who made the trip with his 14-year-old daughter Olivia for the second consecutive year. “It almost looks like it’s part of the Magic Kingdom, but it’s actually real nature.”
Competitors were treated to the picturesque natural beauty featuring shimmering lakes, majestic palm trees and tropical sands which made Disney’s Palm Golf Course a pleasure to play.
“The family nature of this tournament makes it the ideal event to be held at Walt Disney World Resort 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 extraordinary events, from youth tournaments to PGA TOUR, LPGA and Senior PGA (of America) events, so the PGA Family Golf Championships added a new chapter to our story.”
Magical Memories
Ralph Landrum, PGA, returned to Disney’s Palm Course with a special piece of history, his yardage book from the 1985 Walt Disney World® Classic where he competed as a member of the PGA TOUR in an event won by former PGA Champion Lanny Wadkins.
This time around, Landrum was teamed with his two adult sons, Kyle and Joe, in the Pro-Adult Division and finished runner up with a -5, one back of the champion.
“This is a good spot and it’s pretty special that I can be here with my kids and grandson.” said Landrum.
Photo Credit: Olivia Mele (George McNeilly Communications)