Born and raised in Central Florida—golf’s Matt Kuchar and his father Peter found a ton of success in the late 90’s. This weekend they returned to their hometown to compete in the Father Son Challenge at the Ritz Carlton.
- Matt Kuchar graduated from Seminole High School
- Peter caddied for his son Matt when he won the US Amateur in 1997
- The two picked up the sport together at Heathrow Country Club
Their track record together is pretty remarkable.
“He made everything he looked at and that was really fun, it made my job easy,” Peter Kuchar said of caddying for his son during the US Amateur.
Peter was Matt’s caddy and biggest cheerleader when he won the US Amateur in 1997. The two going on to compete at the Masters and US Open the following spring—something they’ll share forever.
“There is a photograph of he and I on the fairway just after an approach shot,” Matt Kuchar said of his favorite moment. “I can’t believe there is that many people that we were in front of playing together as a team.”
The whole country was rooting for the Kuchars. It was a storybook tale as the two first picked up the game of golf together at Heathrow Country Club.
“I remember every day after high school getting dropped off at the driving range and I’d hit balls,” Matt explained. “When my dad was done with work we’d go out and play nine holes and so I think we are so familiar with each other’s games and so comfortable around each other –it’s been a great team.”
So why not get the gang back together? Now at 40 and 68 the Kuchar’s come full circle competing side-by-side in the Father Son Challenge this weekend in Orlando. For Peter it was a bit of a surprise.
“About a month ago, I get an email from Matt and it says “Get Ready!” and that’s all it said,” Peter explained. “And then I ran into Jim Furyk at TPC and said ‘I hear you are playing in the Father Son,’ I said ‘I’m not sure that that’s true.’”
Peter initially missed the attachment on that email that listed the tournaments participants.
This weekend it was Peter’s goal to just not embarrass himself on the course, meanwhile Matt just looked forward to the reunion.
“It’s the father son bonding –I think you only get so many opportunities to do unique things together and create great memories,” Matt added.
With eight tour wins and 18 years of playing professionally—there’s a lot of golf still left in front of Matt. This weekend was about extending those unique moments and traditions with his children.
“My son is Cameron, he is 11 years old, he’s a golf nut dying to play at some point and time. But he’s caddying (for me) and I can’t tell you how excited he is to caddy like he wakes up in the morning just raring to go so its great fun to have him on the bag.”
And while the Kuchars did not come home with the Willie Park Trophy—it will always be the time spent together that’s the ultimate prize.