The greatest testament to the Family Golf Week and Father-Son Team Classic experience might be its appeal to locals.

Just ask Matt Biddington, the head pro at Legends Resort.

“It’s just a great experience,” said Biddington. “My dad was in as soon as I asked (in 2007), and it has actually been more fun than I thought it would be. In the 33 tournament rounds I’ve played, we haven’t had a bad pairing.”

This July 17-20, Matt and his father, Bill, will be playing in the 54-hole Father-Son for the 11th time in the past 12 years, and the week has become much more than a golf tournament for the family.

The Biddingtons grew up on a course 45 minutes south of Pittsburgh, and golf, while always a game, is a passion that unites the family. That will be the case again this year.

Biddington’s mother and brother will again come down, turning a tournament into a family vacation.

Matt is a scratch golfer while Bill plays off an 18, meaning the Biddingtons aren’t expecting to win their flight, but this is one tournament where results are secondary. With three different formats of play – best ball, captain’s choice, alternate shot – the emphasis is on fun (though the cart rides tend to be a little quieter during alternate shot).

“If it’s just you and your dad, that is a great experience in and of itself,” Biddington said. “These are the only rounds we get to play together all year, and we get to enjoy the companionship with the other guys we get paired with.”

Given that Legends is also a host facility, Biddington inevitably ends up with questions about the event, but between his staff at Legends and the team at East Coast Golf Events, the event runs smoothly, leaving Biddington to enjoy the same experience his fellow competitors so look forward to.