The National Father-Son Invitational, a fixture on The Country Club of North Carolina’s golf competition schedule which began in 1971, is scheduled for July 23-26.
Notable past winners of the National Father-Son Invitational, which began in 1971, include Tom and Tom Kite, Jr; Arthur and Scott Hoch; Rod and Steve Spittle; Kelly and Blair Miller; and Doug and Drew Hanzel.
“My Dad passed away a few years ago but I still have the trophies in my study,” said 1992 U.S. Open champion Tom Kite. “They kind of look like water pitchers not like the trophies of today.”
The tournament was conceived by Dale Morey, a CCNC member and a noted amateur player who was also a basketball All-America at LSU. He won the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship in 1974 and 1977.
“The Country Club of North Carolina wishes to extend a heartfelt welcome to all the participants of the 51st Father-Son Invitational,” said club president Tom Beddow. “We are honored to host this group of fathers and son to enjoy our two great courses and our facilities but, more importantly, the immeasurable spirit of family and golf competition.”
Among the 31 teams entered are 2019 Senior division champions Doug and Drew Hanzel of Savannah, Ga. Father Doug is the 2012 U.S. Senior Amateur champion and was the low amateur at the U.S. Senior Open in 2012 and 2013. Son Drew, like his father, played college golf at Kent State University. A physician, the elder Hanzel endowed a golf scholarship at his alma mater. He will play in the U.S. Amateur Championship at Bandon Dunes in Oregon in August.
The Hanzels had not played together in several years before entering the 2019 Father-Son Invitational. Father Doug said: “It’s phenomenal. It’s enjoyment for me because I’m playing with my son but it’s as much pressure as I experience all year. The golf courses at CCNC are part of the experience. It’s really enjoyable because they are always in good shape. It’s a great test. The staff really takes care of you.”
The field consists of players from 11 states, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia and will play both the Cardinal and Dogwood Courses in the three-day competition.
The format for the 51st Invitational consists of three flights, all gross – Championship, Senior, Super Senior. The scoring format is better ball of each team for the first two rounds from division-designated tees (July 24 and 25) and then combined score on the event’s final day (July 26).
Photo of CCNC’s Cardinal Course by Kevin Murray.
Contributed.
