ORLANDO, FL -- (Marketwire) -- 11/05/12 -- A golf tradition returns this winter as the sport's greatest legends team up with their kids and tee off for the PNC Father/Son Challenge at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Orlando, Grande Lakes. The Central Florida golf resort, comprised of two Orlando luxury hotels, The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott, will welcome golf legends Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, among many other celebrated champions, for the family-oriented, 36-hole tournament from December 13 to 16, 2012.

Following a four-year hiatus -- the Challenge was held for 14 years from 1995-2008 -- the event returns with an extraordinary 18-team field that has a combined 492 PGA and European Tour wins and 67 major championships. Defending champion Larry Nelson, playing alongside his son, Josh, will look to retain his title on the Orlando resort's pristine Greg Norman-designed, 18-hole golf course.

"We're delighted to welcome the PNC Father/Son Challenge," said Jim Burns, Vice President and Managing Director, Grande Lakes Orlando. "It is a natural fit for our property's family-friendly activities that offer great bonding opportunities, not just on the golf course but with our fly-fishing, eco-tours and more."

Tournament-goers can take advantage of the PNC Father/Son Challenge Weekend Package available at both Orlando luxury hotels, The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott, Grande Lakes Orlando. The family vacation and golf package includes:

• Luxurious hotel accommodations
• $100 resort credit per stay
• Commemorative golf tag
• 15% discount in the award-winning Ritz-Carlton Spa, Orlando

The Ritz-Carlton, Orlando: rates start at $259/night; available December 14-16
JW Marriott, Orlando: rates start at $219/night; available December 13-16

Minimum two-night stay, based on availability. Package excludes tax. Resort offer does not apply to groups of 10 or more rooms and cannot be combined with any other promotions. Blackout dates and other restrictions may apply. Advance reservations required.

The 18 teams will compete in a 36-hole scramble format over two days for the $1-million prize purse. The winning team will take the Willie Park Trophy, named after Willie Park and his son Willie Park Jr., who combined to win an unprecedented five British Opens. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies in Orlando.

The 2012 PNC Father/Son Challenge Field:
Steve Elkington/Sam Elkington (son), Nick Faldo/Matthew Faldo (son), Raymond Floyd/Robert Floyd (son), Hale Irwin/Steve Irwin (son), Lee Janzen/Connor Janzen (son), Bernhard Langer/Christina Langer (daughter), Davis Love III/Davis Love IV "Dru Love" (son), Sandy Lyle/James Lyle (son), Larry Nelson (defending champion)/John Nelson (son), Jack Nicklaus/Gary Nicklaus (son), Mark O'Meara/Shaun O'Meara (son), Arnold Palmer/Will Wears (grandson), Vijay Singh/Qass Singh (son), Dave Stockton/David Stockton (son), Curtis Strange/Tom Strange (son), Lee Trevino/Daniel Trevino (son), Lanny Wadkins/Tucker Wadkins (son), Fuzzy Zoeller/Gretchen Zoeller (daughter)

For more details on tournament history and past champions, visit www.pncfathersonchallenge.com and follow the event on Twitter @PNCFatherSon.

About Grande Lakes Orlando
Grande Lakes Orlando is a unique 500-acre family resort with a luxury 582-room Ritz-Carlton and deluxe 1,000-room JW Marriott Hotels. In particular, the Grande Lakes Outfitters program, which includes kayak and canoe eco-tours and a fly-fishing school, reflects the Orlando resort's natural surroundings. Grande Lakes also offers the culinary mastery of award-winning Chefs Norman Van Aken and Melissa Kelly, new total-wellness inspired treatment programs at The Ritz-Carlton Spa and Golf Digest Schools' golf instruction. The luxury Central Florida resort is located 15 minutes from the Orlando International Airport, five minutes from the Orange County Convention Center and minutes from the major theme parks.

Guests at both Orlando, Florida hotels can enjoy all the facilities and services at Grande Lakes Orlando, including the 18-hole championship golf course, designed by Greg Norman, the 40,000-square-foot Ritz-Carlton Spa offering a new rooftop eco-space, a wide selection of natural treatments, baths and hydrotherapies, and advice from the world's first Citrus Consultant. Membership offerings are also available through The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes Members Club. For more information about Grande Lakes Orlando, visit www.grandelakes.com.

Follow Grande Lakes Orlando on Twitter at @JW_Orlando and @RC_Orlando.

Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) for company information.

About PNC
PNC Bank, N.A., is a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). PNC (www.pnc.com) is one of the nation's largest diversified financial services organizations providing retail and business banking; residential mortgage banking; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. Follow @PNCNews on Twitter for breaking news, updates and announcements from PNC.

About IMG
IMG Worldwide is a global sports, entertainment and media business, with nearly 3,000 employees operating in 30 countries around the globe. IMG's areas of expertise are diverse and wide ranging: IMG College; IMG's Joint Ventures in China, Brazil and India; IMG Media; IMG Events and Federations; IMG Fashion; IMG Models; IMG Art+Commerce; IMG Clients; IMG Academies; IMG Consulting and IMG Licensing. More information is available at www.imgworld.com.

About NBC Sports Group
When the Comcast-NBCUniversal transaction was completed in January 2011, the broad reach and storied history of NBC Sports united with Comcast's 24/7 ability to super-serve fans to create the NBC Sports Group. The sports media company consists of an array of broadcast television, cable television and digital sports assets, including NBC Sports & Olympics, Golf Channel, NBC Sports Network, 11 SportNets (regional sports networks), and their respective digital properties. Together, the assets of the NBC Sports Group possess an unparalleled collection of television rights agreements, partnering with some of the most prestigious sports.

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