Father & Son   (Article by Jerry Ratcliffe, Charlottesville Daily Progress, Sunday April 12, 2009)

Charlottesville’s Bruce Stouffer has created a monster — a friendly monster, but one that is sure to grow quickly in the golf world.

Stouffer is founder and president of Father & Son Golf Adventures, focused on the opportunity for fathers to spend precious hours with their sons while playing golf. There are already more than 35 events scheduled throughout the mid-Atlantic, including three in Charlottesville: May 9 at Old Trail, June 20 at Meadowcreek and Aug. 1 at Rivanna Resort and Golf Club.

“Both the family and golf need new energy and ways to support and encourage their foundations,” said Stouffer, who spent more than 15 years with IBM and the University of Virginia in marketing and management positions. “Father and Son Golf Events bring fun and energy back into both.”

Tournaments are also scheduled in North Carolina, Maryland and Pennsylvania and are open to entire families.

“The father-son relationship is probably the most important and fundamental relationship men have,” Stouffer said. “The impact a father has on his son is profound. Most of us far underestimate our roles as fathers. FSGA events are designed to encourage and support those relationships.”

For more info, check out: www.fatherandsongolfadventures.com or e-mail Stouffer at bruce@fatherandsongolfadventures.com.

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PRESS RELEASE April 14, 2009

 Meaningful, enjoyable time between Fathers and Sons seems harder and harder to come by these days.  Father and Son Golf Adventures (FSGA), a new international venture based in Charlottesville, VA, provides a fun and positive venue for Fathers to spend a few precious hours with their sons doing something they both enjoy.

 Creating an exciting, unique golf experience for Dad and Son – this is what Father & Son Golf Adventures is all about. The Father and Son golf event concept is the brainchild of Bruce Stouffer, a former corporate executive and avid golfer who has turned his energy and efforts to where his heart is….caring for his family and helping other people. 

Already, Stouffer and FSGA appear to have a hit on their hands.  Golf courses across the mid-Atlantic and elsewhere have been flocking to host a Father & Son Golf Event.  So far, over thirty-five events have been scheduled from mid-April through August 1st, with numerous others in the planning stages.  The response has been so overwhelming that FSGA has even decided to schedule a Father & Son Team National Championship for mid-August. FSGA events include both a 9 and 18 hole tournament to encourage golfers of all age (6 years old and above) and skill levels (from the once a year to the once a week golfer) to participate, a relaxed, well-paced format (best ball, alternate shot and captain’s choice), age groupings (based on son’s age) to facilitate fair and friendly competition, fun skills competitions before and after your round, plenty of food, lots of prizes, and unique commemorative Father and Son gifts for every participant. And the events aren’t just open to men.  Mothers and daughters are also welcome and encouraged to participate. 

Father & Son Golf Events are scheduled all around Virginia and include events in Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina and Georgia.
 
Sat 4/18 Lee’s Hill Golf Club (Fredericksburg, Va)
Sat 5/2  Lakeview Golf Course (Harrisonburg, Va)
Sat 5/9  Old Trail Golf Club (Charlottesville, Va)
Sat 5/9  King’s Grant Golf Club (Fayetteville, NC)
Sat 5/23 The Gauntlet Golf Club (Fredericksburg, Va)
Sat 5/30 Brickshire Golf Club (Providence Forge, Va)
Sat 6/6  Kiln Creek Golf Resort (Newport News, Va)
Sat 6/6  Hanging Rock Golf Club (Roanoke, Va)
Sat 6/13 Raspberry Falls Hunt and Golf Club (Leesburg, Va)
Sat 6/13 The Signature at Westneck Golf Club (Virginia Beach, Va)
Sun 6/14 Rocky Gap Lodge and Golf Resort (Cumberland, MD)
Sat 6/20 Meadowcreek Golf Course (Charlottesville, Va)
Sat 6/20 Mattaponi Springs Golf Club (Ruther Glen, Va)
Sat 6/20 Colonial Hills Golf Club (Lynchburg, Va)
Sat 6/20 Pine Lakes Golf Course (Jekyll Island, Ga)
Thur 6/25 Birkdale Golf Club (Chesterfield, Va)
Sat 6/27 Kingsmill Golf Resort (Williamsburg, Va)
Sat 6/27 Draper Valley Golf Club (Draper, Va)
Sat 6/27 Bradford Creek Golf Course (Greenville, NC)
Sat 7/11 Old Hickory Golf Club (Woodbridge, Va)
Sat 7/11 Ford’s Colony Golf Club (Williamsburg, Va)
Sat 7/11 Rock Harbor Golf Club (Winchester, Va)
Sat 7/11 Laytonsville Golf Course (Laytonsville, MD)
Sun 7/12 Olde Mill Golf Club (Laurel Fork, Va)
Sat 7/16 Hell’s Point Golf Club (Virginia Beach, Va)
Sat 7/18 Virginia National Golf Club (Leesburg, Va)
Sat 7/18 Gypsy Hills Golf Course (Staunton, Va)
Sat 7/18 East Potomac Golf Course (Washington, DC)
Fri 7/24 Chesterfield Golf Course (Chesterfield, Va)
Sat 7/25 The Crossings Golf Club (Richmond, Va)
Sat 7/25 Virginia Oaks Golf Club (Gainesville, Va)
Sat 7/25 Bedford Springs Golf Resort (Bedford, Pa)
Sat 7/25 Heritage Hills Golf Club (York, Pa)
Sun 7/26 South Riding Golf Club (South Riding, Va)
Sat 8/1  Rivanna Resort and Golf Club (Charlottesville, Va)
Sat 8/1  Westfields Golf Club (Clifton, Va)
Sat 8/1  Williamsburg National Golf Club (Williamsburg, Va)

For additional information or to register for one of these special opportunities, please go online to www.FatherandSonGolfAdventures.com.

There are few more important things for fathers to do then to invest in their families.  Playing golf may seem like a small thing, but it can lead to an improved and more beneficial relationship between a man and his son.  Stouffer has seen what a positive impact it can have on a family.  Fathers and Sons spending meaningful and enjoyable time TOGETHER is the key. 

Stouffer spent five years as a U.S. Navy Officer and earned an MBA from the Darden School, before spending over fifteen years with the IBM Corporation and the University of Virginia in marketing and management positions.  In addition to his corporate experience, Stouffer also has over 30 years of experience in competitive athletics and coaching youth sports. Mr. Stouffer has been married for over 17 years and has two wonderful children, Liz, fourteen, and A.J. who just turned nine.  A.J. showed an early interest in golf and has done extremely well competing in junior golf tours on a regional, national and even world-level. 

Stouffer is so passionate about the importance of being a good father that he is even in the process of finishing a book (Beta version to be released in mid-April) about fatherhood.  Stouffer’s book adroitly interweaves the characteristics and qualities needed to become a good golfer with the characteristics and qualities needed to become a good father.  Over the next few months, noted author Andy Straka will also be teaming with Mr. Stouffer to develop a trade version of the book. 

Father & Son Golf Adventures is dedicated to providing quality events, activities and resources that promote and encourage the father – son relationship.  Future Father and Son events/activities under development include not just one-day Father & Son Golf Events, but weekend Father and Son Golf Get-A-Ways, four-to-five day Father Coaching Son Instructional Camps, and longer (4-8 day) Father and Son Golf Trips to unique locations. 

Bruce B. Stouffer  Tel:  (434) 962-4250 E-mail:  Bruce@FatherandSonGolfAdventures.com
Founder and President  http://www.FatherandSonGolfAdventures.com

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can Mothers and / or Daughters play in the tournament?

Absolutely, the whole family is welcome.

2. Why do you think this concept has been so well received?

I think that most people have the same concerns I do about families being pulled in too many directions and that there are few opportunities for fathers and sons to do things together.  Golf is a unique sport that, with a few small adjustments, will allow people of different ages and skill levels to compete with each other on a fair foundation.  Additionally, many important characteristics (e.g. integrity, character, perseverance) can be taught through golf.

3. Why do you use different formats (best ball, alternate shot and captain’s choice) in your events?

The events are specifically designed to be unique, fun, exciting and interactive.  Using the different formats allows all of these characteristics to happen.  Each hole is a different challenge and, therefore, opportunity for interaction, strategy and encouragement. 

4. Why do you go to such extra efforts (Father & Son Team Pictures, Commemorative Ball Markers, Participation Medals, Skills Competitions, Food, Awards Ceremony, Flying Banners, etc.) at your events?

The Father - Son relationship is probably the most important and fundamental relationship men have.  The impact a Father has on his son (and daughter) is profound.  Most of us far under estimate our roles as fathers.  FSGA events are designed to encourage and support the Father - Son relationship. 

5. Why are you using golf to promote the family, why not basketball or football?

If I could, I would promote the family in all sports.  I have chosen golf because it is a sport that allows and promotes interaction and discussion while you are playing.  It is also a sport (as we mention above) that allows players of different ages and skill levels to play together and compete together. 

6. What if there are more than 2 golfers in the family.  Does your event format allow for teams of 3 or 4?

YES.  Our goal is to encourage and promote the family, so it wouldn’t be a good thing if we discouraged full family participation.  Therefore, we have created a special division for teams of 3 or 4 family members (more than 4 would need to divide into multiple teams).  We want families to be together, doing things together. 

7. Why do you have multiple events in the same area?

Father and Son teams are welcome to play in as many Father and Son Golf Events as they would like.  We are not interested in creating just a “one-time” thing; we are hoping to promote a better Father and Son relationship for a life time.  Having multiple events in one location gives Fathers a chance to have a great time with their kids multiple times.  Additionally, we plan on holding our events on an annual basis. 

8. What other things is FSGA doing to assist the family?

FSGA desires to serve the family in a variety of ways.  Besides the Father and Son Golf Events, FSGA will be working to support the Father and Son relationship through Father and Son Golf Trips, Father and Son Golf Get-A-Ways and Father and Son Golf Camps.  Additionally, FSGA will be working with other pro-family organizations to collaborate on various Father and Son Golf Adventures.

9. Is this event just for younger sons?  Is it just for good golfers?

NO.  These events are for Fathers and Sons of ALL AGES and SKILL LEVELS.  It’s about bringing together Fathers of adult children to walk alongside fathers of younger children.  It’s about bringing together strong golfers to encourage those whose games are still improving.  It’s about sharing life together with your son.  It’s about having fun together and enjoying the camaraderie of other fathers and sons.  

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