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TOPICS<br />

NEWSLETTER<br />

VOLUME 23 NO. 1 - JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2013<br />

SF<strong>PGA</strong> INTRODUCES<br />

TEAM GOLF<br />

Team <strong>Golf</strong> is a new junior golf initiative of the <strong>South</strong> <strong>Florida</strong> <strong>PGA</strong><br />

for 2013. Teams will compete in section run events, in six local regions, between late April and mid-<br />

September. Professionals are encouraged to create teams and participate. This is a great opportunity<br />

to grow existing junior programs, start a junior program, and grow your overall revenue!<br />

Team <strong>Golf</strong> is open to all junior golfers ages 7-14 and is designed specifically for beginner level players<br />

who do not possess extensive tournament experience. Team <strong>Golf</strong> is designed to be a “stepping<br />

stone” into Individual Stroke Play tournaments for those players who are unable to consistently<br />

score 45 or under for 9 holes.<br />

Teams will be comprised of six players, further broken up into three 2-person teams based on age<br />

divisions (7-10, 11-12, 13-14). Teams can be coed, however it is not mandatory.<br />

All Team <strong>Golf</strong> participants will compete from age and gender specific tees which will be set at<br />

modified yardages and advertised to all players via the local rules sheet they are given before play<br />

begins. There are three sets of tees which range from 1,400 yards to 2,300 yards depending on the<br />

age and gender of the player. Team <strong>Golf</strong> serves as a fun, social, less stressful approach to tournament<br />

golf, and provides junior golfers with knowledge and skills that set the stage for a lifetime of<br />

golf enjoyment.<br />

For more information about Team <strong>Golf</strong>, please contact Meredith Schechter at 561-729-0544 or mschechter@pgahq.com.<br />

Team <strong>Golf</strong> information can be found here.


CHIP SHOTS<br />

NEW APPRENTICES<br />

The <strong>South</strong> <strong>Florida</strong> <strong>PGA</strong> would like to welcome the following new apprentices to the Section:<br />

Rocco Ktenas B-8 The Plantation G&CC<br />

Sean Sweitzer B-8 Colonial CC<br />

Jarret Zwilling B-8 Ibis G&CC<br />

Elizabeth Alger B-8 McArthur GC<br />

Kevin Dorsch B-8 Miami Beach GC<br />

Christopher Didio B-8 Quail Ridge CC<br />

Kent Paulson B-8 Parkland G&CC<br />

Christopher Fletcher B-8 Lake Worth GC<br />

Andrew Broderick B-8 Johnson & Wales Univ.<br />

Kristine Connell B-8 Vasari CC<br />

Kyle Costanzo B-8 Olde <strong>Florida</strong> GC<br />

Joshua Brunet B-4 Eagle Lakes GC<br />

HALF CENTURY CLUB<br />

Congratulations to <strong>PGA</strong> member Don Pauley was elected to the Half Century Club of the <strong>PGA</strong><br />

of America, an elite group of members who have served the <strong>PGA</strong> with honor and pride for 50<br />

years.<br />

QUARTER CENTURY CLUB<br />

Congratulations to <strong>PGA</strong> member and SF<strong>PGA</strong> President, Brian Peaper, as well as <strong>PGA</strong> members<br />

Frank Dobbs, John Nelson, Bob Raynes, Rick Weber, Terry Lanman, Eileen Kraemer,<br />

and Mike Moore who were all elected to the Quarter Century Club of the <strong>PGA</strong> of America, an<br />

elite group of members who have served the <strong>PGA</strong> with honor and pride for 25 years.<br />

IN REMEMBERANCE<br />

We offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of SF<strong>PGA</strong> Life Member Robert<br />

“Bob” Woodfin, who passed away at the age of 75 on September 4, 2012. We also offer our<br />

most heartfelt condolences to family and friends of Clarke E. George, SG<strong>PGA</strong> Retired Life<br />

Member, who passed away at the age of 79 on September 30, 2012. George is survived by<br />

his wife June McHaney George.<br />

PROS ON THE GO<br />

PROFESSIONAL TO FROM<br />

Matt Oakley, <strong>PGA</strong> A-4 – Spanish Wells <strong>Golf</strong> & CC A-1 – The Dunes<br />

Brian Hart, <strong>PGA</strong> A-1 – Gateway <strong>Golf</strong> & CC B-8 – Gateway G & CC<br />

Robert Coman, <strong>PGA</strong> unattached A-4 – Turnberry Isle<br />

Paul M. Carter, <strong>PGA</strong> unattached A-1 – The Yacht & CC<br />

John T. Wade, <strong>PGA</strong> A-1 – Georgia Section A-1 – Gateway G & CC<br />

Scott DeLong, <strong>PGA</strong> A-1- Palm Aire Midwest Section<br />

Chris Shaul B-1 – Dunes Country Club B-8 – Dunes Country Club<br />

Jared Tramontana,<strong>PGA</strong> unattached A-1 Spanish Wells CC<br />

Bryan Stone, <strong>PGA</strong> Tennessee Section A-13–TPC Eagle Trace<br />

Bill Delayo, Jr, <strong>PGA</strong> North <strong>Florida</strong> Section A-13- Wildcat Run G & CC, Estero<br />

Brian Allabastro,<strong>PGA</strong> A-9 – Martin Downs CC Inactive<br />

Bryan Berryman,<strong>PGA</strong> A-14-Coral Isle <strong>Golf</strong> Ctr-Naples A-1-The Rookery@Marco<br />

Dean Marolf, <strong>PGA</strong> unattached A-1 - Atlantic National GC<br />

Michael Sizemore,<strong>PGA</strong> A-13-<strong>South</strong>ern Texas Section A-4 – <strong>PGA</strong> <strong>Golf</strong> Club<br />

Timothy Knowles, <strong>PGA</strong> A-1-Crown Colony CC, Ft. Myers A-8- Crown Colony CC<br />

Thomas Gibson III,<strong>PGA</strong> A-13 – Palmetto <strong>Golf</strong> Crs A-1-Sandpiper GC<br />

Thomas Chipman, <strong>PGA</strong> A-1 – Crandon <strong>Golf</strong> Utah Section<br />

Michelle Hupfer, <strong>PGA</strong> A-11 – <strong>PGA</strong> of America Illinois Section<br />

Jay Himelberger,<strong>PGA</strong> A-4 – Fountains CC, Lake Worth A-1 – Fountains CC, Lake Worth<br />

Joseph Roux, <strong>PGA</strong> A-13 – Fountains CC, Lake Worth A-4- Fountains CC, Lake Worth<br />

Scott Lien, <strong>PGA</strong> A-1 – The Rookery @ Marco GC Georgia Section<br />

Joe Pace, <strong>PGA</strong> Life Member A-4 – Carolina Country Club<br />

John Chambers,<strong>PGA</strong> unattached A-1 – Palmetto Pine CC<br />

Patrick Cattanach ,<strong>PGA</strong> A-9 Vison <strong>Golf</strong> A-9 – Pope <strong>Golf</strong>, Sarasota<br />

Lee Puddefoot, <strong>PGA</strong> A-1 – Estero CC at The Vines A-8 – Estero CC at The Vines<br />

Jeremy Smith, <strong>PGA</strong> unattached A-1- Estero CC at The Vines<br />

Andew Plesz, <strong>PGA</strong> A-1 – The Forest CC A-8 – The Forest CC<br />

William Harley,<strong>PGA</strong> A-4 – The Forest CC A-1 – The Forest CC<br />

Brett Kist, <strong>PGA</strong> A-4 – The Sanctuary GC, Sanibel Carolinas Section<br />

TOPICS NEWSLETTER<br />

CONTACT US<br />

SOUTH FLORIDA SECTION<br />

186 Atlantis Boulevard<br />

Atlantis, FL / 33462<br />

PHONE / FAX<br />

561-729-0544 / 561-729-0914<br />

EMAIL<br />

sflorida@pgahq.com<br />

WEBSITE<br />

www.sfpgagolf.com<br />

PRESIDENT<br />

Brian Peaper, <strong>PGA</strong><br />

VICE PRESIDENT<br />

Warren Bottke, <strong>PGA</strong><br />

SECRETARY<br />

Mark VanDyck, <strong>PGA</strong><br />

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT<br />

Steve Cox, <strong>PGA</strong><br />

SOUTHERN CHAPTER PRESIDENT<br />

Dick McNeill, <strong>PGA</strong><br />

SOUTHEAST CHAPTER PRESIDENT<br />

Neil Lockie, <strong>PGA</strong><br />

SOUTHWEST CHAPTER PRESIDENT<br />

Ben Bryant Jr., <strong>PGA</strong><br />

ISLAND CHAPTER PRESIDENT<br />

Aaron West, <strong>PGA</strong><br />

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR<br />

Geoff Lofstead<br />

ADVISORY BOARD<br />

Paul Anderson<br />

Rick Bayliss<br />

Steve Sponder<br />

Ken Kennerly<br />

Matt Lambert<br />

Peter Lund<br />

1


CHIP SHOTS<br />

PAUL SCALETTA, TO PLAY<br />

IN HONDA CLASSIC AT<br />

<strong>PGA</strong> NATIONAL RESORT<br />

AND SPA<br />

Assistant at The Bear’s Club, Paul<br />

Scaletta will compete in the 2013<br />

Honda Classic this year on February<br />

28-March 3 in Palm Beach Gardens<br />

at <strong>PGA</strong> National Resort and Spa. Paul<br />

earned his exemption into this event<br />

by recieving the 2012 Player of the<br />

Year honors last season.<br />

The <strong>South</strong> <strong>Florida</strong> <strong>PGA</strong> wishes Paul<br />

luck as he prepares to compete<br />

against a strong field of professionals<br />

from around the world in the upcoming<br />

<strong>PGA</strong> Tour event.<br />

TOPICS NEWSLETTER<br />

CHAD KURMEL, TO PLAY<br />

IN PUERTO RICO OPEN AT<br />

TRUMP INTERNATIONAL<br />

Head <strong>PGA</strong> Professional at Boca Grove<br />

<strong>Golf</strong> and Tennis Club, Chad Kurmel,<br />

will be playing in the Puerto Rico Open<br />

persented by seepuertorico.com, on<br />

May 4-10 at Trump International <strong>Golf</strong><br />

Club in Rio Grande. Chad qualified for<br />

his position in this event by winning the<br />

2012 <strong>South</strong> <strong>Florida</strong> <strong>PGA</strong> Professional<br />

Championship/Section Championship<br />

in August.<br />

The SF<strong>PGA</strong> wishes Chad the best of<br />

luck as he heads to Puerto Rico to compete<br />

with a strong field of professionals<br />

from around the world.<br />

SUPPORT THE SF<strong>PGA</strong> FOUNDATION BY PARTICIPATING IN THIS YEAR’S <strong>PGA</strong> GOLF DAY<br />

As a <strong>PGA</strong> Professional in the <strong>South</strong> <strong>Florida</strong> Section, you have the opportunity to participate<br />

in the 2013 <strong>PGA</strong> <strong>Golf</strong> Day Fundraising efforts to support the <strong>South</strong> <strong>Florida</strong><br />

<strong>PGA</strong> as well as any charity of your choice.<br />

Your mission will be to play 100 holes of continuous golf in one day. For each hole<br />

you play, you may ask family, friends and other sponsors to donate $1 or more,<br />

which will go directly back to the SF<strong>PGA</strong> Foundation, and the charity of your choosing.<br />

Support the <strong>South</strong> florida <strong>PGA</strong> Foundation and our involvement in the community<br />

by registering online today at pgagolfday.com with the <strong>South</strong> <strong>Florida</strong> Section and encouraging family and friends to pledge on your<br />

behalf. Not only are you raising money for a charity of your choice, but you are supporting the numerous charitable causes supported<br />

by the <strong>South</strong> <strong>Florida</strong> <strong>PGA</strong> such as the Habitat for Humanity and Smiling Fore Life programs. Find more information online at<br />

<strong>PGA</strong>golfday.com.<br />

SMILING FORE LIFE PROGRAM KICKS OFF AT THE<br />

QUANTUM HOUSE WITH A SPECIAL APPEARANCE<br />

FROM DENNIS WALTERS<br />

On Thursday, December 13th honorary <strong>PGA</strong> member and famous trick shot<br />

artist Dennis Walters spent his afternoon entertaining families and young<br />

patients residing at Quantum House in West Palm Beach. Dennis shared<br />

his inspirational message of hope, while his dog Mr. Bucky performed tricks<br />

for the children.<br />

This special visit by Dennis Walters served as the kick off for the <strong>South</strong><br />

<strong>Florida</strong> <strong>PGA</strong> Smiling Fore Life program at Quantum House located behind St.<br />

Mary’s Hospital in West Palm Beach. Every Thursday from 3:30 PM – 4:30<br />

PM, <strong>PGA</strong> Professional Dave Pesacov will visit Quantum House providing the<br />

young patients and their families with an opportunity to learn the game of<br />

golf and take their minds off the health battles they are facing.<br />

The <strong>South</strong> <strong>Florida</strong> <strong>PGA</strong> Foundation Smiling Fore Life Program has touched<br />

the lives of over 300 young children throughout <strong>South</strong> <strong>Florida</strong>, and with the<br />

addition of Quantum House we look forward to that number growing. “Quantum<br />

House is a special place, and we are thrilled to have an opportunity to<br />

work with them and give back to the <strong>South</strong> <strong>Florida</strong> community,” states <strong>South</strong><br />

<strong>Florida</strong> <strong>PGA</strong> Executive Director Geoff Lofstead.<br />

2


CHIP SHOTS<br />

TOPICS NEWSLETTER<br />

DON LAW HONORED AT 2012 <strong>PGA</strong> OF AMERICA ANNUAL AWARDS ON JANUARY 24TH IN<br />

ORLANDO<br />

Don Law, <strong>PGA</strong> of Don Law <strong>Golf</strong> Academies has received the highest honor for a <strong>PGA</strong> Professional focused on the development of junior<br />

golf. Don was honored at the 2012 <strong>PGA</strong> Awards Night at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL on January 24, 2013, joining<br />

an elite group of <strong>PGA</strong> Professionals who have been recognized for their extraordinary efforts in growing junior golf in their respective<br />

sections, and throughout the nation.<br />

Don’s dedication to growing the game through junior golf development has inspired and encouraged not only many of the young in<br />

<strong>South</strong> <strong>Florida</strong>, but also many <strong>PGA</strong> Professionals who work with Don daily to ensure that juniors in our section receive the greatest opportunity<br />

possible to discover and develop a love for this lifelong sport. Many juniors that Don has coached and mentored throughout<br />

his career have gone on to achieve college scholarships with their talents where they can further pursue their education and potentially<br />

a lifelong career in the golf industry.<br />

Don’s leadership and dedication to the sport and junior golf as a whole was highlighted in a short video that featured <strong>PGA</strong> Professionals<br />

and friends speaking about his unwavering dedication to making sure each junior he coaches has fun playing the game of golf. Following<br />

the video, Don delivered an inspiring speech and was able to address the many juniors that traveled to Orlando to support Don on<br />

this night of honors. The <strong>South</strong> <strong>Florida</strong> <strong>PGA</strong> would again like to congratulate Don Law, <strong>PGA</strong> on being named the <strong>PGA</strong> of America’s 2012<br />

Junior <strong>Golf</strong> Leader.<br />

BOB TOSKI INDUCTED INTO THE <strong>PGA</strong> GOLF PROFESSIONAL HALL OF<br />

FAME<br />

Celebrated instructor Bob Toski of Boca Raton, whose more than six decades of service to the game<br />

has inspired players of all abilities, is one of eight inductees to be enshrined in the <strong>PGA</strong> <strong>Golf</strong> Professional<br />

Hall of Fame. Toski, 86, will be honored Tuesday, March 12, at the <strong>PGA</strong> Education Center at<br />

<strong>PGA</strong> Village in Port St. Lucie, where his name will be inscribed in granite on the back portico of the<br />

adjoining <strong>PGA</strong> Museum of <strong>Golf</strong>.<br />

In addition to Toski, the following <strong>PGA</strong> Professionals will be inducted into the 2013 <strong>PGA</strong> <strong>Golf</strong> Professional<br />

Hall of Fame: the late Jimmie DeVoe, Michael Hebron; Don “Chip” Essig; Jim Mrva; the late Bill<br />

Ogden; the late Dr. William “Bill” Powell; and <strong>PGA</strong> Honorary President Allen Wronowski. One of the<br />

most popular and unforgettable golf instructors of any era, Bob Toski has always been a competitor,<br />

whether on the course or challenging students on the practice tee. At age 86 and celebrating 65<br />

years as a <strong>PGA</strong> Professional, Toski continues to be a remarkable ball striker. He has lost little of his<br />

skills from his youth, recently posting a 73 on a 6,400-yard, par-72 course.<br />

Inducted in 1990 into the World <strong>Golf</strong> Teachers Hall of Fame, Toski is the only one among that elite<br />

roster of instructors to capture a <strong>PGA</strong> Tour money title (1954). Though checking in at 118 pounds<br />

in his youth, Toski was considered one of the longest pound-for-pound drivers. He competed in 21<br />

major championships, and won 11 overall events on the <strong>PGA</strong> and Champions Tours. In 2007, Toski<br />

was inducted into the <strong>South</strong> <strong>Florida</strong> <strong>PGA</strong> Hall of Fame, joining such outstanding professionals as Jack<br />

Nicklaus, Bobby Goodman, and Ed Ficker.<br />

Leaving the Tour at age 30 to be closer to his young family, Toski utilized his animated style and<br />

showmanship to become a premier instructor. His students include Tom Kite, Bruce Crampton, Judy<br />

Rankin, Bruce Fleisher and Ken Duke. He was a pioneer in video golf instruction, starting the <strong>Golf</strong><br />

Digest Schools in 1971 with late <strong>PGA</strong> teaching legend Jim Flick. He has authored multiple books and served as a regular contributor to<br />

national industry publications. His love of teaching is admittedly addictive. “If I don’t give a lesson today, I feel like I’ve missed something,”<br />

said Toski.<br />

Born Robert Algutoski, the eighth of nine children in Haydenville, Mass., Toski was one of four brothers who became a golf professional.<br />

His parents, Walenty and Mary Algutoski, were immigrants from Warsaw, Poland. Toski graduated from Williamsburg (Mass.) High<br />

School before being inducted into the Armed Forces. Toski was elected to <strong>PGA</strong> membership in November 1947. When he won the 1954<br />

World Championship of <strong>Golf</strong> at Tam O’Shanter Country Club in Chicago, Toski pocketed $50,000, the largest first-place prize in golf at<br />

that time.<br />

3


BEST PRACTICES<br />

TOPICS NEWSLETTER<br />

<strong>PGA</strong> NATIONAL USES KWIK GOLF TO ENCOURAGE GROWTH OF<br />

THE GAME IN SCHOOLS<br />

<strong>PGA</strong> National has partnered with Kwik <strong>Golf</strong> and the <strong>PGA</strong> Sports Academy to develop an in<br />

school golf program than works!<br />

Following the business model of Get <strong>Golf</strong> Ready, and combining the materials from the <strong>PGA</strong><br />

Sports Academy and Kwik <strong>Golf</strong> Equipment, we have a simple effective revenue generating After<br />

Care School Program that allows us to take golf to the schools, expose new kids to the game,<br />

and generate revenue from the first day.<br />

Kwik <strong>Golf</strong> makes golf portable and fun, and the <strong>PGA</strong> Sports Academy Materials add the educational<br />

aspect that schools love. It’s simple, it’s fun, and it’s growing the game in Palm Beach County. After school care programs that<br />

introduce young kids to the game of golf give kids the tools to develop skills in a game that will last them a lifetime, as well as develop<br />

social and life skills that will better them in the classroom and in the community. Not only is it a way for <strong>PGA</strong> Professionals to earn extra<br />

revenue, it is a way to establish relationships with familys in your community.<br />

To learn more about the success <strong>PGA</strong> National has had bringing golf into the schools in the <strong>South</strong> <strong>Florida</strong> Section, please contact<br />

Jane Broderick, <strong>PGA</strong>, Director of <strong>Golf</strong> at <strong>PGA</strong> National Resort and Spa.<br />

FOXFIRE COMMUNITY MAKES GENEROUS DONATION TO<br />

SUPPORT SF<strong>PGA</strong> FOUNDATION EFFORTS<br />

Foxfire has always been a very thoughtful and generous Community which was<br />

once again reflected with a $3,000 donation to the <strong>South</strong> <strong>Florida</strong> <strong>PGA</strong> to support<br />

the SF<strong>PGA</strong> Junior <strong>Golf</strong> Programs and other charitable causes supported by the<br />

Foundation.<br />

Since 1996, Foxfire has held an annual Charity <strong>Golf</strong> Tournament that was originally<br />

developed to benefit: The Shelter for Abused Women, The David Lawrence Center,<br />

Youth Haven and number of other charities in Collier County. In 2003, Donald<br />

Shea, recently appointed General Manager of Firefox Country Club, asked the<br />

Board of Directors to consider making Collier County Junior <strong>Golf</strong> one of the recipients of our charitable donations. Shortly thereafter,<br />

a check for $5,000 was donated to Collier County Junior <strong>Golf</strong>. Since that time, Collier County Junior <strong>Golf</strong> has been dissolved by other<br />

junior golf programs in the area, but Foxfire has continued to donate monies to a variety of Junior Programs in the area and other <strong>PGA</strong><br />

initiatives, including: Patriot <strong>Golf</strong> Day, Play <strong>Golf</strong> America and the <strong>South</strong>west Chapter Tournament of Charities.<br />

The donations originate from entry fees for the golf tournament, raffle and silent auction sales and private member donations. The<br />

majority of raffle and silent auction prizes are donated by local <strong>PGA</strong> Professionals, their clubs and Naples area businesses.<br />

In addition to the annual Charity <strong>Golf</strong> Tournament held in January, Foxfire also hosts an annual Breast Cancer Event (Bosom Buddies),<br />

Patriot <strong>Golf</strong> Day (Folds of Honor), Holiday Food Drive (St. Matthews House) and a Toy Drive (East Naples Fire Department). The Foxfire<br />

Community continues to be a very proud sponsor and contributor for local charities and organizations, and is a generous supporter of<br />

the <strong>South</strong> <strong>Florida</strong> <strong>PGA</strong> Foundation.<br />

GIVE YOUR FACILITY<br />

<strong>PGA</strong> RECOGNITION<br />

Are you flying the <strong>PGA</strong> flag at<br />

your facility? If you are not<br />

doing so we strongly encourage<br />

you to purchase a flag as<br />

a way of promoting your facility<br />

as a <strong>PGA</strong> recognized facility.<br />

<strong>PGA</strong> Profeesional, Randy<br />

Weber submitted the enclosed<br />

photo demostrating the <strong>PGA</strong><br />

flag flying at Bonaventure<br />

Country Club in Weston. The<br />

cost of a flag is just $38, Purchase<br />

your <strong>PGA</strong> Facility Flag by<br />

clicking here.<br />

QUOTE OF THE MONTH<br />

A leader is best when people<br />

barely know he exists, when his<br />

work is done, his aim fulfilled,<br />

they will say: we did it ourselves.<br />

- Lao Tzu<br />

4


JUNIOR GOLF<br />

TOPICS NEWSLETTER<br />

MARTINEZ AND MERCHAN CLAIM FIRST SF<strong>PGA</strong> CHAMPIONSHIP<br />

TOUR OVERALL TITLES<br />

The <strong>South</strong> <strong>Florida</strong> <strong>PGA</strong> Junior Tour presented by the Honda Classic hosted its first ever Junior<br />

Championship Tour Event at Club Med at Sandpiper Bay this weekend. A strong field<br />

of 74 juniors from all over <strong>South</strong> <strong>Florida</strong> competed to start the 2013 season.<br />

Alberto Martinez (13) of Weston claimed the first Boys overall championship of the season<br />

with an impressive come-from-behind finish. Martinez shot a two under, 68, on Sunday<br />

to claim victory with a two-day score of 142. Jb Thompson of Jupiter clenched second<br />

place shooting a two-day total of 150.<br />

In the Girls Overall division, Alejandra Merchan of Weston, claimed her title with a two-day<br />

score of 144; winning a grueling five-hole playoff with fellow competitor Kuriko Tsukiyama.<br />

Andreina Merchan of Weston claimed a 2nd place overall finish with a two-day total of<br />

148.<br />

Charlie Kennerly of Jupiter claimed the Boys 13-15 title by shooting a two-day total of 150.<br />

Finishing in 2nd place was Anthony Wells of Plantation with a 153. Eduardo Blochtein of<br />

Delray Beach came in a close 3rd with a 154 two-day total. In the Boys 16-18 year old division,<br />

JB Thompson of Jupiter claimed the title with a two-day total of 148. Finishing in 2nd<br />

in the division was Kyle Williams of Tamarac with a 150, and winning a scorecard playoff<br />

with a two-day total of 151 was Zachary Bariso of Boca Raton.<br />

In the Girls 13-15 division, Claire Fitzgerald of Parkland won a scorecard playoff to claim her first title of the 2013 season<br />

with a two-day total of 160. Also in the playoff, being awarded 2nd place was Emma Bradley of Naples. In 3rd was Emily<br />

Faulkner of Palm City shooting a two-day 164. Local Club Med resident, Kuriko Tsukiyama, after a five-hole playoff for the<br />

overall championship, claimed the honors in the Girls 16-18 division shooting a consistent 72-72 for a two-day total of 144.<br />

Andreina Merchan of Weston won 2nd place with a 148 two-day total, and Alexa Hammer of Boynton Beach claimed 3rd<br />

place with a two-day 153.<br />

The next <strong>South</strong> <strong>Florida</strong> <strong>PGA</strong> Junior Championship Tour event will be held March 23-24 at the <strong>PGA</strong> National <strong>Golf</strong> Club, Fazio<br />

Course in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. The <strong>South</strong> <strong>Florida</strong> <strong>PGA</strong> Junior Challenge Tour will be back at Sandpiper <strong>Golf</strong> Club at Club<br />

Med in Port St. Lucie with a full field of 84 players on February 16-17.<br />

THE SF<strong>PGA</strong> JUNIOR CHALLENGE TOUR, PRESENTED BY THE HONDA CLASSIC, WILL KICK OFF<br />

THE 2013 SEASON THIS WEEKEND AT CLUB MED<br />

On Saturday and Sunday, February 16-17, eighty-four junior golfers will compete in the second Junior event of the 2103<br />

<strong>South</strong> <strong>Florida</strong> <strong>PGA</strong> Junior Tour season presented by the Honda Classic at Sandpiper <strong>Golf</strong> Club-Club Med in Port St. Lucie, FL.<br />

New in 2013 the <strong>South</strong> <strong>Florida</strong> <strong>PGA</strong> Junior Tour has expanded and will now offer twenty-eight, two-day championship events<br />

for junior golfers in <strong>South</strong> <strong>Florida</strong>. The previous Junior Tour was split into two separate tours, Championship Tour and Challenge<br />

Tour. The Championship Tour is an invitational tour, with players receiving exemptions based upon their 2012 scoring<br />

average and Player of the Year points. The Championship Tour held its first event, also hosted by Sandpiper <strong>Golf</strong> Club, on<br />

February 2-3, where Alberto Martinez (13) of Weston and Alejandra Merchan (14) of Weston took home the Boy’s & Girl’s<br />

Overall Championships, respectively.<br />

The Challenge Tour is a continuation of the previous year’s Junior Tour with divisions and yardages remaining consistent with<br />

the 2012 Junior Tour. This weekend’s event is the first of the year for the Challenge Tour and features a strong returning field,<br />

including Port St. Lucie residents:. Yavuz Ackman, Amadeo Figus, Orlando Figus, Johnathan Powers-Gray, Kevin Seits, and<br />

Hiroyuki Ukigaya.<br />

This 36-hole, stroke play event is a 9:00 AM, single tee start both Saturday and Sunday. Players will be re-paired on Sunday<br />

by low score. Awards will be given to the first through third place winners in each age division (Boys/Girls 12-13, 14-15, 16-<br />

18) as well as to the overall boy and overall girl winners of the event on Sunday, following play. All <strong>South</strong> <strong>Florida</strong> <strong>PGA</strong> Junior<br />

Tour events are ranked by the national Junior <strong>Golf</strong> Scoreboard ranking system. Pairings for this weekend’s event are now<br />

available on the <strong>South</strong> <strong>Florida</strong> <strong>PGA</strong> website (www.sfpgajuniorgolf.com).<br />

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GROWTH OF THE GAME<br />

TOPICS NEWSLETTER<br />

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RULES WITH DREW<br />

GET RID OF YOUR BELLY BY 2016...PUTTER THAT IS<br />

TOPICS NEWSLETTER<br />

7


NEW AND UPCOMING<br />

SF<strong>PGA</strong> HIRES<br />

MICHAEL CROWLEY AS<br />

OPERATIONS INTERN<br />

Michael Crowley began his employment<br />

with the <strong>South</strong> <strong>Florida</strong> <strong>PGA</strong><br />

on January 14 as the section’s first<br />

ever year-long Operations Intern.<br />

Mike comes to the <strong>South</strong> <strong>Florida</strong><br />

<strong>PGA</strong> with a background in finance<br />

and entrepreneurship and a passion<br />

for the business and game of<br />

golf.<br />

Mike graduated from The University<br />

of Iowa with a Bachelors of Business<br />

Administration in Finance and Management in May 2009.<br />

Following graduation, he moved to Chicago and spent 3 years<br />

working with Northern Trust as a banking analyst and as an institutional<br />

sales associate in Abu Dhabi, UAE. He has also spent time<br />

pursuing various entrepreneurial endeavors and small business<br />

consulting since his time with the bank.<br />

In his role as Operations Intern, Mike will be primarily responsible<br />

for coordinating the 2013 Junior Tour in conjunction with JoAnna<br />

Smith, running all <strong>Golf</strong> Pass Outings, and overseeing the section’s<br />

“Play <strong>Golf</strong> America” Days.<br />

UPCOMING SECTION EVENTS<br />

Junior Challenge Tour Event #1<br />

Sandpiper <strong>Golf</strong> Club at Club Med<br />

February 16-17<br />

Honda Classic Pre-Qualifier<br />

Fountains CC<br />

February 21<br />

Honda Classic Pre-Qualifier<br />

<strong>PGA</strong> National Estates Course<br />

February 21<br />

Honda Classic Pre-Qualifier<br />

The Links at Madison Green<br />

February 21<br />

Honda Classic Monday Qualifier<br />

Mayacoo Lakes CC<br />

February 25<br />

TOPICS NEWSLETTER<br />

MIKE McCOLLUM NAMED <strong>PGA</strong> REGION-<br />

AL EMPLOYMENT CONSULTANT<br />

Mike McCollum has been named the new <strong>PGA</strong> of America<br />

Employment Consultant for the state of <strong>Florida</strong>. Mike Mc-<br />

Collum was elected to <strong>PGA</strong> membership in 1980 and joined<br />

the Employment Services Department in 2012. From 2007<br />

to 2012, McCollum was the managing partner for McCollum<br />

Consulting, a service for private and daily fee golf club operations.<br />

He has previous experience working as a Head Professional,<br />

Director of <strong>Golf</strong> and General Manager. McCollum also<br />

has extensive background in Foundation work, serving as the<br />

Coordinator for the Medeen Community Health Foundation<br />

and in the past as the Executive Director of the Weir Scholarship<br />

Foundation.<br />

A graduate of Georgia <strong>South</strong>ern University, McCollum has<br />

been the recipient of numerous <strong>PGA</strong> awards – Professional<br />

of the Year at both the Section and the Chapter level, Section<br />

Bill Strausbaugh Award winner, and Assistant Professional of<br />

the Year for the Section. He has served on the Georgia Board<br />

of Directors and went through the Officer Chairs including,<br />

President in 1990-1991. McCollum chaired multiple committees<br />

in Georgia but brings experience from key Committees<br />

- education, business planning - to his new position as <strong>PGA</strong><br />

Employment Consultant. Mike can be reached at 706-563-<br />

9773 or by email at mmccollum@pgahq.com.<br />

UPCOMING CHAPTER EVENTS<br />

<strong>South</strong>west Chapter<br />

Coors Light Open Qualifier<br />

Fort Myers CC<br />

February 19<br />

<strong>South</strong>west Chapter<br />

Coors Light Open<br />

Fort Myers CC<br />

February 23-24<br />

Island Chapter<br />

Puerto Rico Open<br />

Trump International GC<br />

March 4-10<br />

Island Chapter<br />

Pro-Pro<br />

Trump International GC<br />

March 25<br />

Junior Championship Tour Event #2<br />

<strong>PGA</strong> National Resort & Spa - Fazio Course<br />

March 23-24<br />

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HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT THE SF<strong>PGA</strong> FOUNDATION TOPICS NEWSLETTER<br />

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