TOURNAMENT INFO PAGE: 30TH TOMMY BELEN BETTER BALL CHAMPIONSHIP (MAY 18 - MAY 19, 2024)

The Palm Beach County Golf Association will host eight team events in 2024.

Named in honor of past PBCGA Executive Director, the competition will be hosted at in Hobe Sound, Florida.

The competition will consist of Open (49 and younger), Senior (50-59) and Super Senior (60+) contests with points awarded towards each of the PBCGA Point Cup Races presented by The Golf Crypt, Jupiter: Open Points Cup, Senior Points Cup and the Super Senior Points Cup.

The event will consist of a 36-hole Four-Ball Stroke Play Championship (two person teams), played over two days (Saturday, May 18 – Sunday, May 20).

Approximately 48 teams will tee-it-up and compete in the following format.

Better Ball format: form of stroke play in which two competitors play as partners, each playing his own ball. The lower score of the partners is the score for the hole. If one partner fails to complete the play of a hole, there is no penalty.

Tournament Field is Limited, register early to secure your team’s entry!

ABOUT MORELL STUDIOS

Over 40 years of experience providing museum quality custom awards, shadow boxes and trophies

Pat Morell, Founder and Creator Director Morell Studios

When major U.S. golf organizations, the biggest names in the golf industry, industry leading companies, chapters of The First Tee and the top golf courses in the U.S. need a premium quality, award, shadow box or recognition panel, they contact Pat Morell. They reach out to Pat because he is the best at manufacturing hand-crafted, museum quality awards that are unmatched in design, craftsmanship and elegance.

Born in Niagra Falls, N.Y., Pat’s family moved to South Florida when he was nine years old. He started making models of boats for naval architects at the age of 19. He spent a few years working as a deck hand on artist Jack Gray’s boat and carving half-models of historic vessels while traveling through the Bahamas and up to Nova Scotia. The woodworking techniques inherent to the marine industry require intricate detail in design, craftsmanship, assembly and finishes. Pat has applied his extensive knowledge of woodworking, carving, engraving and custom paints and finishes to the creation of a stunning product line of awards and recognition products.

He got his start in the golf world when he received a call from PGA National Golf Club to carve details on the new pro shop they were building. Pat’s big break in the golf industry came when he approached Bear Lakes Country Club and offered to “do some work for them” in exchange for an introduction to Jack Nicklaus. That led to Pat handling a variety of assignments for Nicklaus and his wife, Barbara.

In 2001, Pat traveled to Muirfield Village Golf Club in Ohio and designed a permanent display using the replica trophies of Nicklaus’ wins at the four Majors. He also created a special display at The Lost Tree Club (North Palm Beach, Fla.) called The Legacy of Golf’s Golden Bear, a display of Nicklaus’ lifetime achievements featuring replicas of the majors’ trophies and the U.S. Amateur trophy, all of which were made by Pat. Morell Studios is currently a Licensee of the Nicklaus Companies, providing a customized line of hole-in-one plaques that are personally autographed by Nicklaus.

Pat enjoys bringing a club’s or company’s logo to life by hand carving a three dimensional version with exquisite details. After the logo is carved, a mold is created to cast the individual pieces for painting. The logo can be created in many sizes and used in shadow boxes or on wall mounts or desktops.

All of Morell Studio’s products are proudly manufactured, engraved and assembled in the United States at his new production facility in West Palm Beach, Florida. Our design studios include an experienced team of wood workers, engravers and finishers.

Through the years, Pat Morell has also designed and produced awards for the PGA of America, The Memorial Tournament, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player, the American Society of Golf Course Architects, and several other top organizations in the golf industry. In addition, he’s used his superior design skills to manufacture awards for Seminole Golf Club, Sleepy Hollow Country Club, Oakmont Country Club, The Bear’s Club and several chapters of The First Tee. The company also produces awards for the Westchester Golf Association and many sections of the PGA of America.

ABOUT PBCGA

Since its inception in 1976, the Palm Beach County Golf Association has been a cornerstone to the many excellent golfers residing in Palm Beach County. For those of you who may not be familiar with the PBCGA, we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by local business leaders in 1976.

Our purpose is two-fold:  First, we conduct approximately 20 championship each year while promoting amateur golf throughout South Florida. Our championships are the best of their kind anywhere and we strive to make them enjoyable for golfers of all ages. Second, we are committed to providing college scholarships while supporting the growth and development of deserving and worthy Florida students. We stand with our hand selected scholars while encouraging opportunity to build life skills and gain college preparedness through regular mentorship.

The PBCGA provides an opportunity for local amateur golfers to play the best golf courses in their local area and affords access to the top golf venues in South Florida. Nearly 700 amateur golfers compete in PBCGA championships throughout the tournament season (March – October).

Operated by Executive Director Jordan Schneider, the PBCGA along with a team of dedicated volunteers performs the day-to-day operations of the PBCGA from its Headquarters in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. The Association is served by an elected Board of Directors, headed by Chairman of the Board Michael Blum.

The Palm Beach County Golf Association has awarded over $475,000 to 185+ area college students to help with their college education. These scholarships have helped students pay for tuition, books and other fees so that they could be more dedicated to their studies.

PBCGA has partnered with Take Stock in Children – Palm Beach County to provide tuition scholarships to attend the Florida state college of their choice. Take Stock in Children is a statewide mentoring/scholarship program. The program enrolls middle school, low-income students and helps them succeed by providing college and vocational scholarships, volunteer mentors, student advocates, early intervention and long-term support.

For more than 40 years, the PBCGA and local South Florida businesses have partnered to provide the highest level of golf services to the Palm Beach County area.  Continued support from local organizations such as the Arrigo Family, Tiger Woods Ventures, Jack & Barbara Nicklaus, Morell Studios, Palm Beach Kennel Club, Tire Kingdom, PGA TOUR and The Honda Classic is a testament to the longstanding support of PBCGA’s mission to give back. Assistance from local businesses, alumni and friends allows the PBCGA to dedicate more time and resources to programs that provide college scholarships to deserving and worthy students in Palm Beach County.