Johnny to return after an eight-year hiatus
ORLANDO, Fla. (October 27, 2014) – World Golf Hall of Famer Johnny Miller and his son, Andy, have committed to play in the 2014 PNC Father/Son Challenge Dec. 11-14 at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Orlando, Grande Lakes. Miller, who last played with his son Scott in 2006, returns to the tournament after an eight-year hiatus.
While Johnny has fond memories of the 10 Father/Son Challenges he played in between 1995-2006, there is one main reason why he will return to the tournament after such a long time away.
“My son was begging me,” Miller jokes.
That son would be Andy Miller, the fifth of six Miller children and third of four sons. Andy, a regular on the PGA TOUR in 2003, is now an architect at Silverado Resort in Napa, Calif. but still loves the game of golf and is playing more often as of late. While preparing for the recent Frys.com Open PGA TOUR event, in which he received a sponsor’s exemption, Andy had been playing with his dad more often.
Although Andy and his other sons have asked Johnny to play in the PNC Father/Son Challenge for years now, this year Johnny decided to return – with a different outlook on the tournament. Admittedly, Johnny isn’t as competitive as he used to be, but he realized this year that it is more about enjoying the weekend than being competitive.
“We will play hard,” Miller said, “but this will be more to have an enjoyable, relaxing weekend. He is going to have to do most of the work off the tee. I still hit my irons pretty good and I’m putting better. It’ll be a nice combination. The bottom line is it will be a good time to be with Andy and spend some days with him. It will be a lot of fun.”
Johnny’s favorite Father/Son Challenge memories comes from 2000 when him and son, John Jr., lost to Ray and Robert Floyd in a playoff.
“It was fun to have a chance to win. Two other years we were in the top three. Those years of having a chance to win were my favorite. It’s very competitive. The guys want to have a good time with their son, but they also would like to win. The Floyds used to be really hard to beat.”
Tournament outcome aside, Johnny looks forward to getting to see old friends and spending some time with his sons, Andy and Todd. Johnny’s youngest son, Todd, will likely serve as his caddy for the weekend making it a true family affair.
The PNC Father/Son Challenge, held for 15 years from 1995-2008, made a return in 2012 with new title sponsor, The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.
Stewart Cink and his son Connor hoisted the Willie Park trophy in 2013, and will return as defending champions. Nick and Greg Price are also committed to the 2014 PNC Father/Son Challenge. The field will be announcing across the next two months via www.PNCFatherSonChallenge.com.
Television coverage of the PNC Father/Son Challenge will air on Golf Channel from 2-3 p.m. ET and NBC from 3-6 p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 13 and Sunday, Dec. 14. The Golf Channel will also air a Pro-Am Special on Friday, Dec. 12.
Now Available: Tickets and Volunteer Opportunities. Tickets are now on sale, priced at $15 per day or $45 for a full tournament pass (four days), by visiting www.pncfathersonchallenge.com or by calling 407-272-7506. Children age 15 years and younger receive complimentary admission with an accompanying adult.
To qualify for the PNC Father/Son Challenge, participants must have won either a major championship or THE PLAYERS in their career. The professional’s partner must not currently hold a Tour card, and while the majority of partners in the history of the event have been the sons of the golf legends, the family-themed tournament has seen daughters and grandsons participate over the years.
The PNC Father/Son Challenge is operated in partnership by IMG and NBC Sports.
About PNC
The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (www.pnc.com) is one of the United States’ largest diversified financial services organizations providing retail and business banking; residential mortgage banking; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management.
About NBC Sports Group
When the Comcast-NBCUniversal transaction was completed in January 2011, the sports assets of the two companies combined to form NBC Sports Group, which serves sports fans 24/7 with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. The sports media company consists of a unique array of broadcast television, cable television, radio and digital sports assets, including NBC Sports, NBC Olympics, NBCSN (NBC Sports Network), Golf Channel, 12 NBC Sports Regional Networks, NBC Sports Radio and all of their respective digital properties. NBC Sports Group possesses an unparalleled collection of television rights agreements, partnering with some of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the International Olympic Committee and United States Olympic Committee, the NFL, NHL, NASCAR, PGA TOUR, PGA of America, USGA, Churchill Downs, Premier League, MLS, Tour de France, French Open, Formula One, IndyCar and many more.
About IMG
IMG is a global leader in sports, fashion and media operating in more than 30 countries around the world. IMG’s businesses include Events & Media, College, Golf, Tennis, Performance and IMG Academy, Fashion, Models, Clients, Consulting, Licensing, Joint Ventures, and creative management agency Art + Commerce. In 2014, IMG was acquired by WME, the world’s leading entertainment and media agency. Together, the companies offer an unparalleled client roster; world-class partnerships with sponsors, brands and broadcasters; and marquee assets across entertainment, events and fashion.
About Grande Lakes Orlando
Grande Lakes Orlando is a unique 500-acre resort with a luxury 582-room Ritz-Carlton and deluxe 1,000-room JW Marriott Hotels. In particular, the Grande Lakes Adventure Experiences program, which includes kayak and canoe eco-tours and a fishing school, reflects the resort’s natural surroundings. Grande Lakes also offers the culinary mastery of award-winning Chefs Norman Van Aken and Melissa Kelly, new total-wellness inspired treatment programs at The Ritz-Carlton Spa and Golf Digest Schools’ golf instruction. The estate is located 15 minutes from the Orlando International Airport, five minutes from the Orange County Convention Center and minutes from the major theme parks.
Guests at both hotels can enjoy all the facilities and services at Grande Lakes Orlando, including the 18-hole championship golf course, designed by Greg Norman, the 40,000-square-foot Ritz-Carlton Spa offering a new rooftop eco-space, a wide selection of natural treatments, baths and hydrotherapies. For more information about Grande Lakes Orlando, visit www.grandelakes.com.
Contact:
Mike Scanlan, IMG Golf, 216-436-3544, Mike.Scanlan@img.com
Liz McCollum, BZA PR on behalf of PNC Father/Son Challenge, 813-421-0550, elizabethm@bzapr.com
Dana Gordon, BZA PR on behalf of PNC Father/Son Challenge, 856-397-2917, danag@bzapr.com
Patrick McMahon, PNC, 412-762-4550, patrick.mcmahon@pnc.com
