2024 Father/Son and Parent/Child Recap
Mike and Mick Farlling win 2024 Father/Son Championship; Craig and Ella McRoberts make it back-to-back Parent/Child titles
BERNVILLE, Pa. – The final rounds of the Pennsylvania Golf Association (PAGA) 15th annual Father/Son and 6th annual Parent/Child Championships wrapped up on Tuesday afternoon, with the pairing of Mike and Mick Farlling (Carlisle Country Club) claiming the Father/Son title while Craig and Ella McRoberts of Valley Brook CC won their second consecutive (and third overall) Parent/Child Championship.
Tied for the top spot on the Father/Son leaderboard after shooting a first-round 68 (-2), Mike and Mick Farlling repeated the feat, carding another 68 (the lowest of any pairing on Tuesday) to finish four-under-par for the tournament. The Farllings played a mistake-free front nine in the final round, with birdies on holes No. 3 and 6, and added another on 14. The twosome only bogeyed two holes all week, with both coming on the 10th hole each day.
“Junior played really good golf and made a few putts,” said Mike. “The back nine was too long for me, especially driving into the wind, but junior hit some good approaches and I hit the short irons. I said if I had his drive, I’d be a dadgum good player!”
“He hit his irons great, it was phenomenal,” said Mick. “I hit the driver pretty good all week. If I put them in play he was on the green and we had a pretty good look every single time. I did my best to leave him a minimal putt for par! We’ve won the Father/Son at Carlisle Country Club three times but I wasn’t able to make it this year for that, which I felt bad about, but happened to be able to play in this one and we’re certainly happy to win it.”
Andrew and Thomas Porsch (CC of Harrisburg), who were tied for fourth after the first round, chased the Farllings all day, especially after birdies on 1, 5, and 9 to close the gap. They ran into some trouble on the back nine, with bogeys on 10, 13, and 16, but still finished the day with an even-par 70 and earned second place with a two-day total of 141 (+1).
The Parent/Child leaderboard was topped by Craig and Ella McRoberts for the second consecutive year after an incredible five-under-par round of 65 on the final day. The duo, who also won the Championship back in 2020, were one stroke back entering the day but came out strong on the front nine—sinking birdies on holes No. 1, 6, 7 as well as an eagle on 9 to set the tone for the rest of the round.
“The plan was just the usual, no expectations, just go out and play our own game, and most importantly have fun,” said Ella.
“The recipe seemed to be: she was driving it well, I was hitting some good irons, and she made a lot of putts!” said Craig.
The leaders after round one, Brandon and Makensy Knaub (Country Club of York), had another solid day with an even-par 70 to finish the tournament four shots back with a total of 141 (+1). The Knaubs recovered after a bogey on hole No. 1 on Tuesday to eagle the third hole and added birdies on 9 and 15 but could not catch the McRoberts.
The Father/Son Forward division was won by Jake and Joseph Templin of LedgeRock Golf Club, with a two-day total of 154 (+14).
Next up on the PAGA schedule are a trio of PA Open Championship qualifiers: at Elmhurst Country Club on Wednesday, July 17 and then at Hanover Country Club and Willowbrook Country Club on Thursday, July 18. The 108th Pennsylvania Open is scheduled for August 12-14 at St. Clair Country Club.
The Pennsylvania Golf Association would like to thank the staff and membership of Heidelberg Country Club for the hospitality shown during this week’s Championship, with additional thanks going to DICK’S Sporting Goods for sponsorship of the event.