Father-Son festivities begin today

The 12th annual Martin's PGA Tour Superstore National Father & Son Team Classic features approximately 1,200 players and is being held Thursday through Saturday on about a dozen Grand Strand golf facilities. Events begin Wednesday night with a welcome reception where honor Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. will be honored as the tournament's father of the year. Barrow is the executive director of The First Tee and is an impressive individual. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Denver. In May 2003, Georgetown College awarded Barrow an honorary Doctor of Law degree for his community service and involvement.
Barrow currently is a board member of the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute, American Junior Golf Association, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (chair), and Baptist Health Systems in Jacksonville. He also has served on the boards of the National Golf Foundation (chair), Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Mile High United Way, University of Denver Board of Fellows, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Health Facilities Finance Authority (chair), Urban League of Colorado (chair), Big Brothers of Metro Denver, Piton Foundation Community Development Project, the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, IZZO (UK) Ltd., National Minority Golf Foundation (chair), the Colorado Golf Association, the Colorado Junior Golf Committee, the Jacksonville Urban League, and the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission.
The Father-Son tournament is open to any father/son type relationships including grandfathers and grandsons, and uncles and nephews. Teams from 45 states and seven countries are scheduled to compete in 2009 with more than $250,000 in team prizes to be awarded.