Sarasota Golf News

Matthew Cahill captured his first Florida Junior Tour (FJT) title as Jaime Ritter won her second consecutive title in the 13-15 age division event at Gainesville Country Club on May 19-20.

In the boys division, Matthew Cahill, 15, from Boca Raton posted a tournament total of 145 to win by three strokes. After a first round 75, Cahill sat two strokes back from the leader. Cahill went into the final round hoping to "get off to a quick start and not make many mistakes." He did just that making four birdies en route to blasting a 2-under par 70, the only under par round of the tournament.

"I hit the ball a lot better," said Cahill about his final round. "I also made a lot of good putts to save par." In just his third FJT event, Cahill has two previous top ten finishes. With this win, Cahill earns an exemption into the Boys Junior Championship in July. Ian McConnell, 15, from Riverview, jumped into second place with an even par in the final round. Combined with a 76 in the first round, McConnell finished at 148. Chase Marinell, 15, of Cape Coral, Daniel Berger, 14, from Key Biscayne, and Robert Chiste, 15, from Boynton Beach, shared third place honors each recording a tournament total of 149.

Ian McConnell and Casey Kennedy each claimed their first victory in the older age division winning the 54-hole Florida Junior Tour (FJT) event over Memorial Day weekend at The Club at TwinEagles in Naples presented by Yes! Golf.

Ian McConnell, 15 from Riverview, came back from three strokes down to secure the boys 16-18 age division on the second playoff hole. After 36 holes, McConnell posted a 72-69 to trail the leader by three. “In the first two rounds, I made a lot of putts,” said McConnell. “I only missed one or two putts inside of ten feet.” Coming out strong in the final round with two birdies on the first three holes, McConnell shot a 73 to force a playoff. “I didn’t know where I stood until the 18th hole,” said McConnell.

“I just needed to 2-putt for par to go to a playoff.” McConnell as well as Blayne Barber, 17, from Lake City, and Andres Pumariega, 17, of Miami, posted a 2-under par 214 for the three rounds. Playing the 18th hole, McConnell and Barber made par to continue on to the second playoff hole. On the 10th hole, Barber’s 20 foot birdie putt lipped out as McConnell sank an eight foot putt for birdie and the win. “I hit the ball well in the final round,” said McConnell. “I didn’t make any putts until the second playoff hole.” This is McConnell’s best finish in the older age division and adds to his two wins in the 13-15 age division. Barber, the 2006 Boys Junior Champion, shot a 72-71-71 while Pumariega logged a 72-73-69 to share second place.

ORLANDO, FL.– Travelers heading to Florida during 2007 for vacation, business or to visit family can save time and stay safer by using the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) free 511 and http://www.FL511.com Travel Information Service. 511 provid s travelers detailed, real-time information on traffic conditions, construction updates, and severe weather alerts on all of Florida’s interstate highways and Florida’s Turnpike.

Those planning to drive to Florida can call 511 from their cellular phone and connect to the Florida system almost as soon as they cross the state line — regardless of their area code or point of origin. The intelligent 511 system recognizes a caller’s location and connects them to the service in their immediate area. Web users can log on to www.FL511.com from anywhere, including Florida’s Wi-Fi-equipped rest areas, to check out conditions along their planned route.

TAMPA, Fla. - For the upcoming season, the Florida State Golf Association (FSGA) has instituted two new policies. Distance measuring devices are now allowed in FSGA non-junior events and a two checkpoint system will be used to monitor pace of play.

With the exception of Junior competitions, distance measuring devices will be permitted in FSGA Championships and qualifiers. The policy states that a player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. However, if, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g., gradient, wind-speed, temperature, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional functions are actually used.

For the past eight years, Lemon Bay Golf Club's members have supported a summer golf program for young golfers from four years to eighteen years old. When the club decided to close this summer to renovate their clubhouse and golf course, the continue existence of the program was in question.

Golf Club at Capri Isles became aware of the situation, and quickly invited Lemon Bay to bring their program to Capri Isles for the summer. “We are incredibly appreciative of the warm and caring reception from Capri Isles and their members. Because of their help we will continue our Junior Golf program for the ninth year.” said Missy Eldridge, Director of Instruction at Lemon Golf Club. “Like so many other things that happen in our communities, this thoughtfulness is about neighbors reaching out to neighbors, and insuring positive results for our youth”

Florida Adaptive Golf, Inc. (FLAG) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide instruction, family training and support for physically challenged individuals ages 8-88, who wish to play golf. Participants learn to use the abilities they possess to improve themselves and the family interaction.

In May 2005, The PGA of America recognized FLAG by awarding a grant to operate junior golf programs in the community. David Windsor, PGA Professional at Foxfire Golf Club and Director of Operations for FLAG used the grant to invite the adaptive physical education programs at Sarasota Middle and High Schools to partake in a golf and life skills program at Foxfire.

Unique, hand-beaded womens accessories puts sass in your golf swing, claim the designers of Sassy Swings Golf Gloves. For women who wear the new designer, handbeaded gloves its all about style and functionality. “Keeping in mind the seasons hottestolors, the gloves are created for women who want a more personalized golf accessory” said Sassy Swings co-founder Tina Siebenman.

Sassy Swings durable white leather golf gloves feature a unique beaded bracelet around the wrist that doubles as a stroke counter by simply sliding the beads. A matching ring adorns the ring finger on each glove.

More than 600 invited guests arrived January 23, 2006 to celebrate the opening of The Concession Golf Course - a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, designed in association with Tony Jacklin. A walking tour of the new golf course and a day of food and fun were eclipsed only by the chance to see a golf exhibition by two of the games great players, Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin.

The two entertained the crowd with great golf shots and jokes, while they explained the design philosophy behind the course. Because they were playing for the fun of it, they good naturedly conceded many shots to each other along the way.

How do you compete with the “Big Boys” of the golf equipment industry, who have many years head start in marketing and manufacturing, not to mention deep, deep pockets to fund their ventures? Two veterans of the front lines of the golf industry wars, Richard Merk and Bret Larsen are trying to do it in a revolutionary way, one club at a time, one charity tournament at a time with their launch of Upswing Golf early this year.

Merk, a former member of the senior executive teams at TaylorMade and then Callaway, and Larsen, a former VP of Manufacturing and then Golf Club Development at Callaway, have come together to try to bring the “average” golfer access to top quality equipment without the expense the “brand name” companies tack on to their clubs for marketing, advertising and endorsements.