Sarasota Golf News

Ever since the first donation of $10,000 was made by the Palm Beach Invitational in 1938, giving to charity has become a philosophy of the world of golf. In 2005 the PGA Tour reached a milestone in all-time charitable donations totalling $1 billion.

At the grass roots level, the men and women of the North Florida Section of the PGA of America exemplify this philosophy by donating time and raising money for numerous charities, particularly those charities benefitting children.

Now all golfers have the chance to be affiliated with the golf pros by becoming a NFPGA Partner. With a membership of only $99, golfers can not only support the charitable efforts of their local PGA professionals, but also proudly wear the NFPGA logo, once reserved exclusively for PGA members to display, on a stylish golf shirt and hat, a bag tag and NFPGA Partner member card. Partners also receive a free 10-minute golf lesson with a PGA professional and invitations to NFPGA special events and tournaments.

PALM COAST, FL-– Club professionals from the South Florida PGA Section extended their unbeaten streak to eight years in the 27th annual Challenge Cup matches against their peers from the North Florida PGA Section.

The SFPGA won the last two singles matches to earn a 13-11 victory at The Conservatory at Hammock Beach. The NFPGA led by 4-2 after the four-ball stroke play matches on Day One but the SFPGA rallied to win the afternoon foursomes by the same 4-2 score for a 6-6 tie heading into the singles on Day Two.

With the singles matches tied at 5-5, and an 11-11 score overall, South Florida’s Chris Toulson beat Jim Garrison and Alan Morin defeated Tim Polce, both by 2 and 1 margins, in the 11th and 12th singles.

MELBOURNE, Fla. – Mo Guttman of Sarasota fired a closing round of three under par 69 on at Duran Golf Club to win the 26th annual North Florida PGA Seniors Championship.

At 139, Guttman, representing Evie’s Family Golf Center, finished one strok ahead of Vince Cali of Winter Park and Freddy Gibson of Orlando. Cali and Gibson tied for second among 46 starters at 140 on final round scores of 70 and 71.

Check out this article in the Bradenton Herald from writer Mike Henry featuring our own Golfer's Guide/Sarasota publisher Jean Couser!

http://www.bradenton.com/116/story/148708.html

TAMPA, FL – The First Tee of Miami came back from five strokes down to win the boys 13-15 age division by six shots at the Palm Course at Walt Disney World the weekend of August 12. Marcelo Huarte and Stefano Diaz each fired a 69 to contribute to the team’s second round total of 138. Along with teammate Jaime Rodriquez, The First Tee of Miami finished with a strong tournament total of 289 for the division title.

Playing the Magnolia Course, the Greater Orlando Junior Golf Tour maintained their first round lead to capture the girls 13-15 age division by four strokes. Team members Samantha Marks, Cindy Feng and Simin Feng played a part in the team’s success with totals of 146-149 for each round.

TAMPA, FL – Raj Nahal defeated Chris Kennedy 1- up in the final match to win the 16th Amateur Match Play Championship at Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach on August 9-12.

After wining five matches each, Nahal, of Eustis, and Kennedy, from Bradenton, met in the finals of the 2007 Championship.

“I was excited to play Chris since I knew him from junior golf,” said Nahal. “I knew it was going to be a good match.” Nahal, 19, a University of South Florida sophomore, took an early lead after making birdie on the second hole. “I made double on that hole twice this week so I just played it safe and hit the ball in the middle of the green,” said Nahal. “That gave me a lot of confidence.” Kennedy, an incoming freshman at University of North Florida, brought the match back to even with a par on #3. Nahal birdied the 5th hole and made par on the 6th hole to go 2-up. “I was just hitting the ball well and putting it in the fairway,” said Nahal. The match was all square after Kennedy birdied holes seven and 11. Nahal then went 2-up after Kennedy couldn’t get up and down and made two consecutive bogeys on holes 15 and 16. Nahal stuck to his game plan of “making pars and letting my opponent make the mistakes.” Kennedy narrowed the gap to one winning the 17th hole. On 18, Kennedy’s 15-foot birdie putt lipped out to give Nahal his first State Championship.

TAMPA, FL – After six qualifiers across the state, the field of 64 is now set to play in the Florida State Amateur Match Play Championship at Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach on August 9-12

Since the number of entries received has always surpassed the capacity of the Championship, a qualifying stage was instituted this year. In the qualifying, players competed in 18 holes of stroke play in hopes of reaching the Championship at Sawgrass. The Match Play Championship will begin with an 18-hole seeding round to seed the 64 player field. Single elimination match play will follow to determine the Match Play Champion.

BROOKSVILLE – Former champions Jack McFaul and David Hronek of Venice posted their second straight 10-under-par 62 Tuesday to win the 11th annual North Florida PGA Senior-Junior Championship at Southern Hills Plantation.

At 124, they finished three strokes ahead of Jeffrey Gibson and Jim Garrison of Temple Terrace, another team of past winners who closed with 65-127.

McFaul, head professional at Waterford Golf Club, and Hronek, an assistant at Plantation Country Club, won the title in 2004 at Southern Dunes in Haines City. They were succeeded in 2005 at Celebration Golf Club near Disney World by Gibson and Garrison. It is the first time a team has won the title twice.

Ever since the first donation of $10,000 was made by the Palm Beach Invitational in 1938, giving to charity has become a philosophy of the world of golf. In 2005 the PGA Tour reached a milestone in all-time charitable donations totalling $1 billion.t the grass root level, the men and women of the North Florida Section of the PGA of America exemplify this philosophy by donating time and raising money for numerous charities, particularly those charities benefitting children.

Now all golfers have the chance to be affiliated with the golf pros by becoming a NFPGA Partner. With a membership of only $99., golfers can not only support the charitable efforts of their local PGA professionals, but also proudly wear the NFPGA logo, once reserved exclusively for PGA members to display, on a stylish golf shirt and hat, a bag tag and NFPGA Partner member card. Partners also receive a free 10-minute golf lesson with a PGA professional and invitations to NFPGA special events and tournaments.

SARASOTA, FL –- The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota is offering the perfect Florida escape and an ideal setting for guests to reconnect with loved ones as they enjoy a luxury Ritz-Carlton experience. Relaxation, rejuvenation and romance are just a few of the extraordinary options offered with the Sarasota “Reconnect” special value package.

“During the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we sometimes forget the joy of spending time and sharing memories with our loved ones,” said general manager Mr. James McManemon, general manager. “Make time to reconnect with the ones who are most important to you.”