Parent-Child Championship

Wards Win Parent Child

John and Johnny Ward posted a tournament total of 13-under par 131 to win the Florida State Parent-Child Championship at the Walt Disney World Golf Resort in Orlando on July 24-25. This annual State Championship attracted more than 150 teams competing in a Regular and Junior Division. 

In the Regular Division, the father and son pair of John Ward, of Winter Park and Johnny Ward, of Maitland, edged out the field by one stroke to win the Championship.  In the first round, the Ward duo fired a four-under par 68 to trail by two strokes heading into the final round. The pair recorded an impressive nine-under par 63 in the final round to secure the victory. This is the Ward's seventh Parent Child Championship.  Howard Benedict, of Naples and Kimberly Benedict, of Bonita Springs finished in second place after posting a tournament total of twelve-under par 132.  Three teams finished tied for third place with a tournament total of eleven-under par 133; John and Joseph Latowski, of Port Saint Lucie, KC and Mason Fox, of Sarasota and the Defending Champions Mark and Case Gard, of Lakeland.

BELLS WIN 10-12 DIVISION

Don and Don Bell Jr. prevailed to win the 10-12 age division. The father and son team from Port Orange finished with 58 stableford points to edge out the teams of David and Bennett Ragan, from Coral Gables and Frank and Tyler Strafaci, of Davie, by two points.

VICKERS WIN 8-9 DIVISION

Michael and Gus Vickers, of Naples, finished with 47 stableford points to win the championship in the 8-9 age division.  The duo edged out David and Katie Garratt, of Cape Coral in a play-off.  This is the second Championship for the Vickers, after winning the 6-7 year old division last year.

ROSS WIN 6-7 DIVISION

Steven and Justin Ross, from Boca Raton, gained 55 points for the 6-7 age division win.

The Parent-Child Championship is the largest Florida State Golf Association administered event. Since 1997, the Walt Disney World Resort has hosted the Parent-Child Championship and once again, the resort’s Palm and Magnolia Courses and the Oak Trail executive course was used for the two divisions.

The Parent-Child Championship has become an annual event for many families. The tournament is open to everyone, including grandparents who want to play with a grandchild and professionals who want to compete with their child or grandchild. There is no maximum age limitation for the parent or child. The event consists of two divisions; junior and regular. In the junior division, the child must be between 6-12 years of age, and in the regular division the child must be 13 or older.

The junior division played the Oak Trail executive course in 9 holes of modified alternate shot format using the Stableford scoring each day. The regular division is split on the Palm and Magnolia and played 36 holes of modified alternate shot. The field is divided based upon the combined handicaps of the teams and flighted after 18 holes.

Entries Close Wednesday, June 23, 2010

The Regular division will play Disney's Palm and Magnolia courses.  Both courses play host to the Children's Miracle Network Classic, a mainstay on the PGA Tour schedule for the past 30 years.  Previous winners of the event include Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, Lucas Glover, and David Duval.

ELIGIBILITY

At least one entrant of each team must be a member of the FSGA or FWSGA. There is no maximum age limit for parent or child. Professionals can play but are not eligible for trophies or prizes in the regular division but are fully eligible in the junior division. Grandparents may also play with grandchildren.

AGE

Child must be age 13 or older as of July 24, 2010 to compete in the regular division. A child 6-12 years of age can move up to regular division, but a child age 13 or older may not move down.

ENTRY FEE

$280 for Regular Division ($300 - members who do not have an active FSGA/GHIN Handicap). (Only two-person teams are permitted).

CHAMPIONSHIP FORMAT

The format of play for the Regular Division is Modified Alternate Shot. Both players hit tee shots. Both players then hit the second shot with the other's ball. After the second shot the team chooses which ball it will use to complete the hole hitting alternate shots. Scoring will be gross within flights.

FLIGHTS

Regular Division - the field will be divided between the Palm and Magnolia courses based upon handicaps of the teams. Teams will be flighted after the first round by first round scores. In the event the Championship is reduced to 18 holes (weather), the Committee reserves the right to declare a Champion from the course with the lowest team handicaps. There will be no gender-based divisions, but four sets of tees will be utilized:

YARDAGES 

TEE TIMES

The Regular Division will have an 8:00 AM shotgun start BOTH DAYS at the PALM & MAGNOLIA Courses. Teams will be grouped by combined handicap for day one groupings.

PRACTICE ROUNDS

Practice rounds on the Palm & Magnolia Courses at the discounted rate of $45 per player are available Wednesday, July 21 through Friday, July 23 after 10:00 AM only. Before 10:00, the regular resort rate applies.

Players may call (407) 938-3868 to reserve a tee time Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm

CARTS

Carts are included for all competitive rounds. Players are responsible for practice round fees.

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS

Case and Mark Gard, of Lakeland, shot 68-66--134 to win the overall on Disney's Magnolia and Palm Courses.

CHAMPIONSHIP PACE OF PLAY: Click here to read the Championship Pace of Play Policy.

HARD CARD; LOCAL RULES AND CONDITIONS OF COMPETITIONS: Click here to read the Hard Card and additional Conditions of Competitions.

CHAMPIONSHIP POLICIES: Click here to read the withdrawal, dress code, caddie and spectator and other policies. 

CONDITIONS; SCHEDULES

The FSGA Championships Committee/on-site Rules Committee reserves the right to alter any of the conditions, provisions and/or schedules.  The decision of the Championships Committee/on-site Rules Committee in any matter will be final.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Please click on the hotel icon for hotels in the Orlando area.

DRIVING RANGE/CART SET UP

This year we will be using both driving ranges to help eliminate congestion on the ranges.  The golf carts for the Palm course will be set up next to the Palm driving range and players will use the Palm range.  Players will be asked to check in at the registration table behind the golf shop and they will be shuttled over to the Palm course.  There will be a beverage cart there for drinks and food. 

PAYMENT

The courses accept Cash, Visa/MasterCard and American Express for method of payment.

DIRECTIONS TO PALM/MAGNOLIA/OAK TRAIL GOLF COURSES

From the West or East on I-4; go on I-4 and take exit 26b (Epcot Center Drive) and follow World Drive. Go toward Magic Kingdom on World Drive and go through the entrance plaza. Bear right after you go through the entrance plaza and turn left at the traffic light on to Seven Seas Drive (follow the signs to Shade of Green or the Magnolia/Palm Golf Courses - they are located at the same place) and take Floridian Way (pass the parking lots on your left). Turn right on to Floridian Way and then take a left on to Magnolia/Palm Drive and the clubhouse, parking lot and course will be on your right. 

THEME PARK TICKETS

In past years, Disney has provided the FSGA a one day - complimentary ticket for admission to any Disney theme park for each competitor. The ticket is valid for July 23-25, 2010 only. You may pick your ticket up at the Magnolia Golf Shop on Friday from 9 AM to closing or at registration on Saturday morning.  This tee gift is not a guarantee.  The FSGA will know more and will post the information when we get closer to the Championship.