info entryform '10 Alpha Roster Courses A Division Results B Division Results
WELCOME
The 10th Annual Destin Winter Classic is scheduled for 2 - 4 December, 2011. This three day, two man team tournament, that features a different format each day, will be played on six world class golf courses located in the Destin, FL area of the Emerald Coast.The entry deadline is Friday, 25 November, 2011.
Pairings will be posted on the website on the "Info" page on Wednesday, 29 Nov, 2011.
Both the A & B Divisions will have a "Senior Flight" of which both players MUST be 55 years old or older.
Destin Winter Classic History In February, 2002, at an awards party capping off the end of the first Emerald Coast Club Professional Match Play Invitational, an event created to foster competitive camaraderie among Emerald Coast PGA club professionals, the idea for a winter amateur event was a topic of discussion. That was the planting of the seed that grew into the Destin Winter Classic. A couple of subsequent planning meetings held later in 2002, developed the format and venues for the "trial balloon", the first Destin Winter Classic, held 6 - 8 December, 2002, over the first three courses to become involved - Emerald Bay, Regatta Bay, and Kelly Plantation
The format decided upon was to play scratch, with the first 18 holes in "scramble" format and the second 18 holes in "best-ball" format. After 36 holes, the 60 team field would be divided into three flights based on the teams 36 hole scores, with the final 18 holes played in a "modified-alternate shot" format. This format was changed in 2009 with the "modified Alt. shot" being played the second day, and the "Best Ball" being played during the final round. Flights will still be decided after 36 holes.
Even with minimal advance publicity, word of mouth resulted in overwhelming response, with entries flooding in far exceeding the 60 team cap. That initial success led to the expansion of the event to two divisions in 2003, with teams assigned to divisions based on their total team handicap, and the addition of three more golf courses - The Raven, Baytowne, and Indian Bayou. Again, the respnse was huge, with entrants coming from all over the country. That dictated expanding again in 2004 to include a third division, and the addition of three more golf courses - The Links at Sandestin and Bluewater Bay's 36 holes. The committee also decided to ad a "senior flight" which eventuallly evolved to include those teams whose both players were 55 years old or older. In 2007, the entries decreased and the committee decided to go back to the original 6 golf courses, eliminating The Links and Bluewater Bay's 36 holes. Also, the Pelican Beach Resort (now part of Resort Quest), and Sandestin Resort came on board as official accommodations partners, offering discount rates on a variety of accommodations for Destin Winter Classic participants.
The Destin Winter Classic strives to provided both parity and diversity making it one of the most fair but competitive golf tournaments hosted in one of the most beautifullocations in the world. The Destin area provides great climate, entertainment, fun, relaxation, and sugar white beaches. While you compete, your family will be having the time of their life.