The 29th edition of the PNC Championship will kick off on 14th December at Ritz-Carlton Golf Course, Orlando, Florida. The traditional event brings together two members of the family to experience golf like they never have.

The one-of-a-kind event is special in many ways. While it offers a prize purse smaller than other events, it lives up to its legacy by giving the Willie Park Trophy which has a rich history and will make golfers proud of its possession. If you’re wondering, why does the trophy hold such high value? Read ahead and find out.

The History of the Willie Park Trophy

The Willie Park Trophy is named after Willie Park Sr., who was the winner of the inaugural British Open in 1860. Park won the Open four times, (1860, 1863, 1866, and 1875) in life. For the first three triumphs, the Trophy was a prized possession of Park Sr.

However, from 1868 to 1870, the trophy was claimed by Tom Morris Jr. There was a rule in the mid-1800s that said if a golfer won the British Open thrice in a row, the trophy would be permanently his. Thus, the Trophy became Morris Jr.’s, and the Open was postponed in 1871 as a result.

Moreover, to continue the Open Championship, the Claret Jug was introduced as the replacement for the trophy in 1872. The trophy was out of service, until in 1995, the PNC Championship, or as previously called Father and Son Challenge, came into existence.

The red leather belt embellished with silver, which resembles the modern-day awards given to Boxing and WWE champions, is made by Garrard The Crown Jewelers (since 1843), especially for the PNC Championship, and has been a significant and distinguished part of the event. The first belt was won by Raymond Floyd Jr. and his son Raymond Floyd, who also held the record for most wins (5).

The history of PNC Championship

Inaugurated in 1995 at the Windsor Club, Orlando, the championship was then known as the Father and Son Challenge, as only father and son were part of the event. Moving forward to 2005, the event held the first Father-daughter duo of Fuzzy Zoeller and his daughter.

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Moreover, in 2013, Arnold Palmer and his grandson, Sam Saunders, were the first duo of grandchild and grandfather. Since the inception of the event, it has changed from father/son to any family pair except a daughter and mother pair being a part of it.

Additionally, the event only allows a major or The PLAYER Championship winner and a non-professional golfer to play at it. It will be two days of fun from 14th December, playing scramble by the 20 pairs in Ritz-Carlton, Florida. The prize purse is of $1,085,000 and will be defended by Vijay Singh and his son. Who will be the fortunate pair to win the 26th edition of the PNC Championship and the Willie Park Trophy?

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