Golf Day

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Throughout the day, you will have several opportunities to be together as a family.  However, it is not mandatory that any portion of the day, with the exception of the Family Photo, be spent with all (or any) of your family members.  Feel free to move throughout the events as you are comfortable and use any chance to mingle and begin new friendships.

As you make introductions, be sure to let others know it is your first year - you'll receive a warm welcome from everyone you meet.  Past families have been in the event as long as long as 35 years consecutively but everyone remembers the excitement of their first year.  You can expect many offers of help in navigating any part of the day's events. 

Registration
The day begins at the registration table where everyone checks in, either as a
family or individually. Members of the Host Family are at the registration table to officially welcome you to the Father and Three Sons Golf Classic.

Generally, you will be presented with a scorecard and reconfirm your pairings, cart partner and starting hole.  You will also be reminded of the agenda for the day, and be informed what facilities are available (i.e. Pro Shop) and where the Family Photos will be taken.

Depending on arrangements made by the Host Family and course, you may also be provided with additional items such as meal/drink tickets, information brochures and/or a small keepsake from the tournament (i.e. pen, mugs, golf towel, etc.).

Family Photo
A photographer will be on hand to take an official picture of each family prior to the start of the round.  Many families choose to pose with a driver/club, so you may want to bring one to the    It is recommended that you have your photo taken immediately following Registration, since there tends to be a rush as the tee time approaches.  Usually, pictures are processed and made available to each family member following the round (at supper), though there tends to be a move in recent years to providing digital copies instead.

Golf Attire
Something that has become the norm, though not at all mandatory, is for families to wear matching shirts (or more). This adds to the fun of the day and helps to identify members of the same family, especially out on the course.   In past years many families have had a lot of fun with this, with some even designing custom shirts specifically for the event.  Bear in mind that any shirt or outfit should comply with the local course dress policies (i.e. no jeans, tank tops, etc.).

Practice Range
Quite often, unlimited and complimentary use of the driving range has been negotiated by the Host Family.  In this case, at any point before the Ceremonial Tee Off, golfers can bring their clubs to the range and get limbered up for the day.

Ceremonial Tee Off & Group Photo
Nearing the tournament tee time, golfers will be asked to convene and form a gallery, at which time the Oldest Father and the Youngest son in the tournament are introduced.  They then officially start the tournament by each hitting an opening shot.  Traditionally this has been a tee shot on Hole 1 or Hole 10 but past variations, such as a chip-shot onto the 9th or 18th green, have taken place to avoid a forced carry or blind tee shot.

While everyone is assembled, the photographer will take a commemorative Group Photo, after which golfers are instructed to head to their carts.

Carts & Send-Off
Though not mandatory, the widely adopted format of play is a Shotgun start, which usually means that carts are arranged in rows to be led onto the course by a marshal.  Before heading out, it is customary for the Club Professional to briefly welcome the golfers and review any local or tournament rules in effect.  On his/her signal, the carts will head out onto the course for what is sure to be a great day of golf!

Scorekeeping
While more and more courses are providing GPS and electronic scorekeeping, it is still expected that you will record your score on the scorecard provided in the cart, so that they can be handed in at the completion of the round.  Be sure to hand in your scorecard to the Club Pro immediately following your round!  It is important that this be done as soon as possible, since awards for Low Gross, Low Net and Closest to the Lauers must be determined before the Banquet begins.

End of Round
After completing the round, it is recommended that you immediately head back to the club house so that you can unwind and get ready for the Banquet.  Most golfers drive directly to their cars to drop off clubs and then return the cart and hand in their scorecards.

While bar and/or patio facilities are usually available, a "tailgate" atmosphere in the parking lot is not uncommon, as families reconvene and share stories of the day, compare scores and introduce one another to new friends.

It is standard for the course to make washroom and shower facilities available to the golfers, but these can get very busy as the Banquet time approaches, so you should judge your socializing time accordingly.  There will be plenty of time for further visiting and conversation during the Banquet.