The best Father’s Day gift? Golf competition with my dad

Like many golfers, I started out with the game through family contact. I still remember my first attempt at waving the golf club – as a kid in a crowded area of ​​Father’s Day.

Although I didn’t meet golfworms until late in my life, gaming has been a powerful way to connect with my loved ones. My father, especially, his perseverance led me to the course and ultimately inspired my passion for golf.

From the young guy at the junior activity to cheering me up from the ropes from college, he was there. As I get older, every opportunity I have to play with him is more than just a round of golf, it is a precious memory that continues to strengthen our bond.

So when I come across a new amateur activity, let me compete and My dad, I took the opportunity.

The event is called the “Play Cup” and is hosted by Omni Hotels and Resorts in collaboration with the US PGA. It is a family-focused golf tournament designed to bring generations of golfers while fighting the spa at Omni PGA Frisco Resort and Spa in Frisco, Texas.

To win tickets to Frisco, the two teams participated in one of 12 qualified events held by the National Omni Golf Resort. The team participated in one of three departments: grandparents/grandsons, parents/children (or aunt/uncle and nieces/nephews), and PGA professional/generation family members. Net and total scores for each department reached the final.

This year, my dad and I were lucky enough to get a spot in the First Generation National Cup, and although we didn’t win, it was perhaps the most special golf outing I’ve shared with him.

From the moment we arrived we were welcomed by staff who helped us gain a bearing on an incredible property, including a world-class hotel, three golf courses, multiple restaurants and dance floors – nearly two acres of putting courses are free to the public.

When I explore the property – for example The Ice House, a classic Texas BBQ spot, a few steps from Putting Green, with Toptracer Range Bays – Ice House – I realized it was more than just a golf course. It has become a pillar of the community. I watched local families drifting in putter classes, laughing at missed putters and enjoying each other’s company. A relaxed, friendly atmosphere is the ideal backdrop for events designed to grow the game and connect with your family.

That evening we started the round of welcome dinner next to the dance floor and a swing, a 10-hole five-3 course that includes the architect behind two 18-hole courses at Fields Ranch, designed by Gil Hanse and Beau Welling.

We stood out early the next morning in the first round of the field ranch west. The match format is the best ball for two, and each player has assigned a T-shirt based on age and USGA barrier index. This seems to keep the playing field with teams that are younger or younger competitors – like the 10-year-old we paired with us in the first round (although he is a stick and doesn’t need much help).

After the turn, the team can enter a tour level recovery room with tools used by professionals such as Rory McIrroy and Tony Finau. For a deeper post reset, you can also book a service at their spa.

After my rehabilitation class (quick nap), we went for dinner, where we met another dad/daughter team and we quickly became friends. One of the highlights of the night was a fireside chat with Welling, a designer at Fields Ranch West, a class we took that day. We also received news from past US PGA President John Lindert, who attended the event with his son.

Wheelin explains how his design philosophy for Fields Ranch West is rooted in creating a course that is challenging at all ages and skill levels, just like the events we attend.

“Golf is a builder of people and communities,” Wheelin said.

To create a layout that tests low-disability and high-disability players, Wheeling studied data on amateur toys and found a key difference: green in regulation.

As better players averaged more greens, Wheelin added large swollen and bold profiles to his green complex to challenge their iron effects. For higher obstacle players, he includes a more forgiving collection area that makes recovery shots easy to manage.

“We hope everyone enjoys the golf course,” Wheelin said.

Playing in the final round at Field Ranch East, Gil Hanse designed the championship course will host the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in less than a week. Personally, I find this course more demanding. It requires your approach shooting and sharp short game to be precise and precise to give yourself a chance to save par. Fortunately, we had an excellent caddie and his course knowledge helped us prove several birdies.

I couldn’t help it as we walked along the 18th fairway. Our weekend is coming to an end and I am so grateful for the opportunity to play with my dad. As life gets busier and we have less and less golf. But one weekend, Omni gave my dad and I the opportunity to reconnect our shared love for golf.

I have a sneaky suspicion that we are not the only ones. This generation cup is also very popular for others, according to the smiles I saw in other families over the weekend.

Prepare to participate in the 2026 National Championships? Click here to sign up for your local Generation Cup qualifiers and create unforgettable memories with your family.