Not that I’m competitive or anything, but I’m liking the way my seven-year-old granddaughter is approaching the ball. I’m thinking junior club champion, scholarship and perhaps world domination.
OK, I’m kidding (kind of; we grandparents make no apologies for seeing our grands as the best). What I really see is what I see when I’m skiing with them or hitting tennis balls with them. I see another great chance for family bonding.
Golf lends itself well to multi-generational play. With tee box options, junior prices and all kinds of ways to play a round and make it fun for all (can you say family scramble?) golf is a sport you can share with every generation – and every level player – in a totally fun way.
But what if you could be, say, the best family golf team in the nation? This weekend at the Omni Mount Washington Resort & Spa in New Hampshire, teams of family golfers will begin their journey to try and be just that.
The Omni Generation Cup (www.omnihotels.com/hotels/bretton-woods-mount-washington/things-to-do/generation-cup) tees off on Sun. July 27 for the second year as part of a national series of tourneys that all lead to a national championship. In its debut year in 2024, it brought in more than 700 family twosomes to compete.
The tourney is set up in divisions that make sense to me. You can compete as grandparent and grandchild, parent and child, aunt/uncle and niece/nephew), and if you’re lucky enough to have one in the family, PGA Professional and family member.
The format of the event makes sense (and makes things fair) too, with it held as a a two-person modified best ball “shamble” in both gross and net scoring. The top teams in each category at each venue go on to a national championship.
So, are you ready to head to The Omni Mount Washington to take it on? Registration closes July 25, so there’s still time – and there are room rates available for a stay.
If you’re not, here’s a thought: Start now and work your way up to next year’s event. Here’s how I’d take that on:
*Attend the Generation Cup at the Omni Mount Washington Hotel on July 27 as a spectator, and bring along your hopeful family partner. Seeing the competition and feeling the vibe of the event is a great motivator. Stay until Monday and then play the course the tourney just played to get the feel.
*Begin playing together regularly, and us the Shamble play plan. (Everyone drives, best drive is selected; everyone plays their own ball from there).
*Get a handicap for each family member. Massgolf.com is the best way to get your handicap – and it comes with all kinds of extras like ladies play days, junior programs and even some family competitions.
*Set up regular practice range time with your partner. You can both work on what you need to and support one another.
*Embrace the team spirit. Buy matching golf attire (Check out SundaySwagger.com for some super unique and fun choices). Pick a team name. Get other family members to follow your progress (your original fan base).
*Focus on fun. That’s the whole point of sharing a sport with family – and sharing family time overall. Because when you sign up for the Generation Cup next season, you might make the nationals and you might score high net and gross – or something in between. Golf is a game of great challenge and even for the pros, some days are diamonds and some days are just plain rough.
But with a beloved family member, no matter that outcome, you win. You win memories, stories to share for years and the priceless prize of time spent together, Now that’s a trophy to hold high.
