Second annual event brings family teams together for two days of fun and exciting competition
Editors: For PGA Family Golf photos courtesy of the PGA of America, click here.
FRISCO, Texas — The second annual PGA Family Golf Championship is heading to Walt Disney World® Resort.
Set for Sept. 28-29, 2024, at Disney’s Palm Golf Course operated by Arnold Palmer Golf Management in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, the PGA Family Golf Championship brings together teams of 2-4 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 for a weekend of memories and moments with their loved ones.
“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 at Disney’s Palm Golf Course.”
“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 September 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 August 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.
To find a PGA Family Golf event near you, visit PGAFamilyGolf.com or connect with your local PGA of America Golf Professional.
About PGA Family Golf
In sports, your team is your family. With PGA Family Golf, your family is your team. For more information about PGA Family Golf, visit PGAFamilyGolf.com.
About the PGA of America
The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals who love the game, are expert coaches, operators and business leaders, and work daily to drive interest, inclusion and participation in the sport. The PGA of America owns and operates numerous championships and events, including major championships for men, women, seniors and the Ryder Cup, one of the world’s foremost sporting events. For more information, visit PGA.com and follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
About Walt Disney World® Resort
Walt Disney World® Resort is a contiguous, nearly 40-square-mile, world-class entertainment and recreation destination featuring four theme parks (Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park); two water adventure parks (Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park); more than 25 resort hotels; 63 holes of golf on three championship courses; two full-service spas; Disney’s Wedding Pavilion; ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex; and Disney Springs, a shopping-dining-entertainment complex. Located in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., 20 miles southwest of Orlando, Walt Disney World® Resort opened Oct. 1, 1971.
About Walt Disney World® Golf Courses
At Walt Disney World® Resort, there are 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. 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 all courses have various Disney touches, from beverage carts themed after popular Disney characters to Mickey-shaped tee markers, plus legendary Disney guest service.
About Arnold Palmer Golf Management
Arnold Palmer Golf Management (APGM) operates clubs, resorts and golf courses in the true spirit of Arnold Palmer – with pride, consideration and honor. The APGM team works diligently to create exceptional private club and golf experiences for every Member, and every Guest, every day. 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 over 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.
Media Contacts:
Jesse Dodson, PGA of America, jdodson@pgahq.com
Tammy Boclair, Alday PR, tammy@aldaypr.com
George McNeilly, McNeilly Communications, george@mcneillycommunications.com
