Sarasota Golf News

The PGA of America and TPC at Prestancia in Sarasota will conduct a fun-filled day of free golf activities during its Play Golf America Day on Monday, Oct. 5. The event will feature free lessons and golf clinics conducted by area PGA professionals, plus a junior golf clinic for fifth graders from area elementary schools.
   
Approximately 500 children, chaperones and teachers will be in attendance for a golf trick show performance by Dennis Walters, honorary lifetime member of the PGA of America. 

Sue Ertl to Head New Academy at University Park Country Club

Personable Sue Ertl, LPGA Golf Professional, returns to University Park Country Club for her 13th season as the head teaching professional at the new Golf Academy.

Ertl, a native of Michigan, competed full time on the LPGA tour for 11 years before coming to University Park. Sue keeps her competitive skills sharp by playing a summer schedule of LPGA Legends Tour events, Pro-Ams and State Open Tournaments. In 2005, she won both the Massachusetts and Ohio Women’s Opens.

Misty Creek Country Club in Sarasota is the latest private club to hire a management team to run its operation. Billy Casper Golf will take over the club Oct. 1.

Misty Creek is the only club south of the Skyway managed by Billy Casper Golf. The Claw at the University of South Florida in Tampa is the closest and one of many managed by Casper in Florida. Tony Chancey, vice president of operations for Billy Casper Golf, said his team plans some aggressive marketing to get golfers on the course at Misty. 

On his Web Site, senior golfer Larry Flynn says the summer doldrums are over for tournament players. The month of October is very busy.
  
Here are some events:

- Oct. 3-4: City of Venice Men’s Championship at Lake Venice Golf Club;
- Oct. 10-11: The Charlotte County Open at Long Marsh in Rotonda;
- Oct. 11-12:  The 2-man best ball championship at the Ritz-Carlton Members Club;
- Oct. 17-18: The City of Sarasota City Juniors at Bobby Jones;
- Oct. 24-25: The River Club Partners Championship has been rescheduled;
- Oct. 31-Nov. 1:  The 38th annual Partners Better Ball Championship at Bobby Jones Golf Club;

Flynn offers an easy way to enter these tournaments. Simply go to his Web site, www.mscgolf.org, and download the entry forms. Otherwise, you can contact the clubs to enter. 

Team American Cocktail Society is determined to make a difference in breast cancer research. Last week, 18 foursomes played nine holes at Village Green Golf Club and raised just under $2,000. Some 72 golfers teed off at 5:45 p.m., played nine holes, enjoyed a buffet, awards ceremony and silent auction and walked out the door at 8:30 p.m.
     
The proceeds went to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. The Society has raised almost $9,000 to date.

Ericka Schneider made the most of her second chance in the Wal-Mart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach over the Labor Day weekend.

The June graduate of Lakewood Ranch High School finished second in the pro-junior portion of the Champions Tour tournament. She shot 65-68-67 - 200 to finish one stroke back of winner Will Bishop of Kentucky. Jeff Sluman, who was Schneider’s pro, won the tournament.

Here is a story that will jolt the memories of baseball fans who recall Steve Blass.

In 1971, Blass was the winning pitcher in Game 7 of the World Series as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Baltimore Orioles 2-1. Blass threw a four-hitter.

Derek Lamely of Fort Myers is ninth on the Nationwide Tour and assured of gaining his 2010 PGA Tour card. The top 25 finishers of the Nationwide Tour automatically receive cards for the PGA Tour for the following year.

Lamely is a past winner of the Charlotte County Open.

The Leadbetter Junior Golf Academy at IMG in Bradenton is offering adult instruction beginning in October.This is a special program designed to give area golfers a chance to benefit from the renowned Leadbetter instructors.

This special for area students features:

The First Tee Sarasota/Manatee chapter needs votes to win a grant from Nike.

Simply follow this link: Nike Back Your Block and click "Vote." Votes count from every valid email you enter, so if you have multiple emails; home, work, mobile, etc...vote from each account to help First Tee win.