The PNC Father/Son Challenge is certainly a one of a kind tournament. Family friendly, yet competitive as they come. It’s the only PGA Tour event where you have an eleven year old and an eighty-seven year old competing for winner’s share and bragging rights.
Gary Player, the legendary Hall Of Famer is the elder statesman, at age 87 and LPGA Hall Of Famer Annika Sorenstam’s son Will McGhee being the baby in the event, at just 11-years old.
Most players, once eligible, try to become a part of this special event. It’s not too often they get to play with their mother, father, son, grandson, daughter, or grand-daughter, and get paid to do so. Most importantly, establishing memories for a lifetime.
Shared moments like these are rare and in between for professional athletes. Even though the Father/Son never lacked in star power, with the likes of Nicklaus, Player, Trevino, Floyd, Price, Langer, Love, Lehman, etc. But now for the last three years that Tiger and Charlie have added their names to this distinguished list, the tournament has gotten a much needed shot in the arm.
Talk about a “Booster Shot”. The Woods have supplied the penicillin to this family affair and the proof speaks for itself. Tiger may be limping, riding a cart, semi-retired, but don’t get it twisted, he still moves the needle. The Father/Son “sold out”, almost immediately once he and Charlie agreed to attend. And the way it looks it has quickly become a priority in the Woods household. Tiger and Charlie mark their calendars for this event every year now.
So the fans may be in for another 3 decades, or more, of this celebrated duo. (photos by John Perry)
