MARCH 25 - 28, 2026
WELCOME
Dear Members and Guests:
On behalf of the Griffon Cup Committee and Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, it is with the greatest pleasure that we welcome you to the 19th Annual Griffon Cup - Lake Nona’s premier gentlemen’s Member-Guest championship. We are honored to host this distinguished event and delighted to have you join us for what promises to be three exceptional days of golf, fellowship, and celebration.
The Griffon Cup is proudly contested in honor and memory of Chris Quackenbush, a cherished former Member of Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, whose life was tragically cut short on September 11, 2001. Many participants in this year’s field had the privilege of knowing Chris personally, and it is with deep respect and gratitude that we continue this longstanding tradition in tribute to his legacy, sportsmanship, and enduring spirit.
Designed by the renowned architect Tom Fazio, Lake Nona Golf & Country Club has served as the stage for some of the most prestigious championships in the game, including the inaugural Solheim Cup, USGA Men’s Team Championships, USGA Senior Amateur Championship, World Cup of Golf, Southern Amateur, Tavistock Cup, LPGA Gainbridge, and the LPGA Tournament of Champions. Thanks to the tireless efforts and exceptional stewardship of our Director of Golf Course Maintenance & Grounds, Nick Dolimpio, and his entire team, the course is in championship condition and stands ready to provide a magnificent setting for both spirited competition and unforgettable camaraderie.
The information contained within this booklet is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of the tournament and accompanying social events. Should you have any questions or require assistance at any time, please do not hesitate to reach out to a member of the Griffon Cup Committee or our dedicated golf professional staff.
We wish you every success and trust that your time at Lake Nona will be remembered with great fondness, both on the course and throughout your stay.
Sincerely,
Griffon Cup Committee
Matt
Collis, Director of Golf
Charles Higby, Assistant Golf Professional
Darren Bedell
David Fries
Jon Mills
GRIFFON CUP COMMITTEE
Committee Members
Matt Collis, Director of Golf
Charles Higby, Asst. Golf Professional
Darren Bedell
David Fries
Jon Mills
LAKE NONA TEAM
General Manager Brian Pizzimenti
Director of Golf Matt Collis
Assistant Golf Professionals Charles Higby, Tournament Director
Chris Mandia, First Assistant
Kendra Swanson
Sandra Changkija
Jake Scheidt
Pro Shop Merchandiser Ana Lowery
Director of Golf Course Nick Dolimpio
Maintenance and Grounds
Golf Course Superintendent Taylor Allbut
Director of Food & Beverage Tim Cannell
Executive Chef Joe Sledz
Director of Events
Front Desk Concierge
Lindsay Holland
Marie Puerto
SCHEDULE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2026
Arrivals
Official Practice Round (7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)
9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Greyson Gifting Experience, Front of Clubhouse
6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2026
Opening Reception
A plated dinner with your flights.
Tournament Information & Announcements
Dress: Jacket Required
6:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:00 a.m. Shotgun Round One Flights 1 - 5 (Best Ball)
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. PM Putting Contest Qualifying
12:30 - 3:00 p.m. AM Putting Contest Qualifying
1:00 p.m. Shotgun Round One Flights 6 - 10 (Best Ball)
6:00 p.m.
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2026
Putting Contest & Cocktails
Derby Teams Announced
Dress: Golf Attire
6:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:00 a.m. Shotgun Round Two Flights 6 - 10 (Best Ball)
1:00 p.m. Shotgun Round Two Flights 1 - 5 (Best Ball)
6:00 p.m.
SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2026
Derby followed by Stag Dinner
Dress: Country Club Casual
6:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:00 a.m. Wild Card Shootout: 9-Hole Shotgun Bottom two teams from each flight.
10:30 a.m. Shotgun Final Round (Greensomes)
3:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m.
Top six teams from each flight.
Semi-Finals Playoff
Flight winners and wild cards.
Shootout: Final Four Teams Followed By Awards Ceremony
TOURNAMENT RULES
The competition will be conducted under USGA rules.
FORMAT
Round 1 and 2 will be Better Ball using Stableford scoring with 85% of the playing handicap applied. The Final Round will be Greensomes using Stableford scoring with 60% of the low handicap and 40% of the high handicap applied.
Stableford Points: Day 1 and 2
Net Double Bogey (or worse) 0 points
Net Bogey 1 point
Net Par 2 points
Net Birdie 3 points
Net Eagle 4 points
Net Albatross 5 points
HANDICAPS
Stableford Points: Day 3
Triple Bogey (or worse) 0 points
Net Double Bogey 1 point
Net Bogey 2 point
Net Par 3 points
Net Birdie 4 points
Net Eagle 5 points
Net Albatross 6 points
The maximum handicap index is 22.7. The handicaps for the event will be the player’s handicap as of March 18.
FAIRNESS OF COMPETITION
The Griffon Cup Committee reserves the right to adjust any handicaps of teams that are deemed to be playing well above their potential. This modification to the handicap for the remainder of the competition could also include a modification of their score if the Committee deems it appropriate.
TEES
• All competitors will play the Silk Floss tees unless you qualify to play from the Oak tees.
• Oak tee eligibility:
• Age + Index > 80.0, and
• Index must be 10.0 or higher
• Whichever tee you declare on day one is the tee you must play from for the remainder of the tournament.
TOURNAMENT RULES
TIES FOR FLIGHT WINNERS
In the event of a tie, the winner will be decided by a Closest to the Pin contest on Hole 18, from anywhere between 100 - 150 yards. All players in the tiebreaker will hit one shot each, the closest ball will be determined and declared the winning team to advance.
WILD CARD
The two leading teams from the Wild Card Shootout will join the flight winners in the two-hole semi-final shootout playoff to determine the final four teams in the final shootout.
Wild card teams will be decided in the 9-hole morning shotgun on Saturday, and will not play the 18-hole final round on Saturday. In the event of a tie to determine eligibility for the Wild Card Shootout, the team with the fewest points on Day 2 will qualify.
“Lake Nona is dedicated to excellence on and off the course. The desire and commitment to make this a special place, both in golf and as a community, has done wonderful things over the years.”
TOM FAZIO Golf Course Architect
LOCAL RULES
• Range finders are permitted without slope mode in use.
• Out of bounds – white stakes. Penalty areas - red stakes.
• Embedded ball rule in effect through the green. Ball may be cleaned and dropped as close to its original spot as possible.
• All scoring will be recorded via golf genius.
• A ball counting towards the tournament score must be holed out.
• Relief may be taken without penalty from sprinkler heads or drain covers that are within two club lengths from the putting surface that are interfering with stance, stroke, or intended line. Relief may only be taken if a player’s ball is within two club lengths of the sprinkler head or drain cover and the sprinkler head or drain cover is within two club lengths of the green. Ball will be dropped at the nearest point of relief no closer to the hole.
PLAYOFF FORMAT
OVERALL CHAMPION
Determined By Two-Hole Aggregate Playoff Using Holes 17 & 18
GREENSOMES AGGREGATE
Both players tee off on each hole. The team then selects the best drive, and from that point, the hole is played in alternate shot until the ball is holed.
Tees: Each player must tee off from their original tournament tees.
In the event of inclement weather that prohibits the completion of the playoff, a scorecard playoff of Day 3 scores between flights will be used to determine the winner using the USGA recommended method (Rule 9-5iii). Wildcard teams are not eligible for scorecard playoff.
SHOOTOUT SEMI-FINALS
Four semi-final competitions (four groups of three teams each) go off at the same time, format is Greensomes, aggregate score over the two holes, each team will have a two-hole handicap.
Semi-final 1: Holes 1, 9
Semi-final 2: Holes 9, 10
Semi-final 3: Holes 10, 11
Semi-final 4: Holes 11, 8
Wild Card Teams are slotted with their respective flights.
CHAMPIONSHIP SHOOTOUT
The four winners from the semi-final competitions will meet in the Championship Shootout. We will play holes 17 and 18 and the format will again be Greensomes, aggregate score for the two holes. In the case of a tie, we will again play hole 18 until we have a champion. Each team will have a two-hole handicap.
CONTESTS
ALL-INCLUSIVE ENTRY
Flat $200/team cash entry for all contests, paid prior to Thursday morning tee-off ($100 Players’ Pool, $50 Derby, $50 Putting).
PUTTING CONTEST
Two qualifying sessions will occur during round one and the contest will be held following completion of play. Every player will make two attempts at a putt and anyone who gets the ball in the circle will be moved into the final at the end of play on Day 1. If anyone makes the putt during qualifying, they will be entered automatically into the final competition.
If only one person should make the putt during qualifying, they will be the winner.
BEAT THE PRO SHOP
Played during round one at Hole #17. If you successfully hit the green and then two-putt or better, your $250 entry is doubled and will be paid as a Professional Shop credit.
DERBY
Qualifying for the Griffon Cup Derby will occur during round one. The top teams with the highest point total in each flight will qualify.
The Derby will feature 10 teams, established based on the following pairing criteria: the lowest-index member will be paired with the highest-index guest, the second lowest-index member with the second highest-index guest, and so on.
The 10 teams will compete from the back lawn, approximately 130 yards from the target on the 18th green. Both balls will count toward the total score. If one team posts the lowest score on the first attempt, they will be declared the winner. If there is a tie for the lowest score, those teams will advance to the next round.
In the second round, teams will move to an alternate location. If necessary, additional playoff rounds will be held to determine the second and third-place finishers for pari-mutuel betting.
GAMING NOTES
PARTICIPANTS
MEMBER GUEST
Josh Abecassis
Willard Anderson
Eric Arena
Steven Astrove
William Bacon
Roger Bassin
Darren Bedell
Frank Berzanskis
Jason Bowler
Silas Boyle
Dieter Burr
David Canning
Michael Chadwick
Alex Chehansky
Michael Clary
Scott Cuppy
Justin Dailey
Bob Defacci
Gabriel Diaz
Hector Dominicci
Paul Dunkley
Jordan Edwards
Chris Essig
Steve Essig
Matthew Essig
Dan Fitzpatrick
Nick Fitzpatrick
Steve Forte
Charles Francis
Dave Fries
Robert Gammons
Ryan Garton
Jim Gray
Karl Gudmundsson
Jonas Hagan
Adam Hermida
James Hughes
David Hung
Christian King
Mike Kirk
Omar Antigua
Brian Hannafin
Eric Korytkowski
Jason DeVito
Sachin Patel
Adam Miller
David Leach
Chuck Beverly
Jack Burgoyne
James Melhuish
Mike McCausland
Doug Russell
Justin Edwards
Michael Kelley
Michael Garbers
Stephen Kansler
Steve Dailey
Tom Defacci
Robert Kennedy
Orlando Vazquez
Ian Griffin
John Ritenour
Charles Crosby
Chuck Radabaugh
Nick Anderson
Daniel Fitzpatrick
Dean Catanzarite
John Winter
Robert Allen
Brad Maddock
Ryan Gammons
Laurence Oleck
Doug Gray
Jeff Gray
TJ Cosgrove
GUEST CLUB AFFLIATION
Miami Shores Country Club
Schuyler Meadows Club
Brookmeadow Country Club
Framingham Country Club
Bent Pine Golf Club
Southampton Golf Club
Rockledge Country Club
Orange Tree Golf Club
USGA/Florida GC
Louisville Country Club
Interlachen Country Club
Interlachen Country Club
Golden Ocala
Winged Foot Golf Club
Interlachen Country Club
Mountain Branch Golf Club
Tuscawilla Country Club
Holly Tree Country Club
Royal Portrush
Championsgate Country Club
Vale De Lobo Portugal
Alaqua Country Club
Pine Needles
Inverness Club
Black Diamond Ranch
No Club Affiliation
Knollwood Country Club
Meridian Golf Club
Beech Mountain Club
Oak Hill Country Club
Coosaw Creek Golf Club
Interlachen Country Club
Timarron Golf Club
No Club Affiliation
Bella Collina Club
Walker Rick Bayou Oaks at City Park
Charles Fehlinger
Christopher Mook Sang
Kevin Carey
Derrick Rende
Tranquilo Golf Club
No Club Affiliation
Wolferts Roost Country Club
Tranquilo Golf Club
PARTICIPANTS
MEMBER GUEST
Steve Lewis
Al Little
Josh Marmetschke
Jorge Martinez
Mike McGee
Kenneth McKenna
Ron Medoff
Brett Miller
Jon Mills
Ken Milne
Craig Mode
Oliver Moore
James Morehead
Mike Mraz
Tony Nason
Dave Newinski
Andrew Niklaus
Saemunder Palsson
Aris Pappas
Chase Picerne
Darick Pope
Bryan Propst
Jeffrey Reader
Kenneth Robinson
Dan Roche
Brandon Ronca
Blake Shackelford
Sachin Singh
Razell Smart
Stan Smith
Drew Solow
Greg Soufleris
Matt Stanchina
Jonathan Wakeman
Tommy Weclew
Mark Willman
Chris Wilson
James Wiseman
Dan Young
Faissal Zahrawi
Bruce Mckenney
Derek Lewis
Hunter Lee
Craig DeLongy
Stan McCamon
Edward McCluskey
Elliot Medoff
Griffin Reynolds
Greg Murphy
Cameron Milne
Dan Jones
Patrick Bell
Mike Davis
Kevin Kross
Jonathan Schlinker
Matt Yeager
Jesse Battaglia
Snorri Hjaltason
Bryan Taylor
Trace Pendry
Travis Anderson
Reed Hudson
Jordan Simler
Steve Torcise
John Soderlund
Brendan Simms
Nicholas Montuori
Manny Sharma
John Babiarz
Brent Morris
Mike Solow
Tim Day
AJ Blackstone
Ryan Wenzler
Bill Zeller
Dan Meherin
Steven Graham
Wilson Moore
Alexander Ewing
Chris Patno
GUEST CLUB AFFLIATION
Manufacturers’ Golf & Country Club
Isleworth Golf & Country Club Josh
No Club Affiliation
Country Club of Orlando
Tippecanoe Country Club
No Club Affiliation
Oakdale Golf & Country Club
No Club Affiliation
Cataraqui Golf & Country Club
No Club Affiliation
Brampton Golf & Country Club
Royal Lytham & St. Anne’s
Country Club of Orlando
Cascade Hills Country Club
Flint Elks Golf Club
Minnesota Valley CC
No Club Affiliation
Eagle Creek Golf Club
Parkland Golf & Country Club
Tuscawilla Country Club
The Club at Spurwing
No Club Affiliation
Wellington National
Ocean Reef Club
Wyndemere Country Club
Jacksonville G&CC
No Club Affiliation
Manor Golf & Country Club
Dominion Country Club
Hermitage Golf Club
Boca Rio Golf Club
Andover Country Club
Avila Golf & Country Club
NCR Country Club
No Club Affiliation
Hillcrest Country Club
Sweetwater Golf & Country Club
Golden Bear at Keene’s Pointe
Country Hills Golf Club
Barrington Golf Club
Mike Hanna & Tony Hanna 2025 Champions Christopher & Nick Fitzpatrick
PAST CHAMPIONS
Jason Claycomb & Clarence Brewer
Mike McGee & Stan McCamon
Adam Stanchina & Jason Palma
Sean Marlowe & Tony Marek
John Sharp & Blake Peeper
Richard Smith & Nick Franze
Bart Paine & Brian DeAlexandris
Enrique Chapman & Mel Johnson III
