Sarasota Golf News

Chad Barhorst has been named General Manager at The Preserve Golf Club. Barhorst brings in a wide variety of experiences in multiple capacities that's he has earned during his experience working at different geographical locations.

Prior to joining the Preserve, Barhorst was the head golf professional at Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club in Largo, one of the Florida Golf Trail clubs where he was responsible for facilitating golf operations, supervising  all golf operations, organizing and running all corporate golf events and day-to-day general operations.

You have to give John Trexler credit. He is always thinking of ways to get golfers to play Oak Ford.

He is calling his latest idea the “Oak Ford Golfing Stimulus Package,” and it is worth a serious look in this budget-conscious environment. Here is how it works: 

Byeong-Hun An, 17-year-old member at The Concession, became the youngest golfer to win the U.S. Amateur last weekend.

An moved to The Concession from Leadbetter’s Junior Academy in Bradenton because his coach, Jonathan Yarwood, departed Leadbetter and started his own junior academy at The Concession. 

Golf Travel: Submit your Photo

Chuck Carroll, an avid, single-digit golfer, has been taking groups to Scotland and Ireland for more than 20 years. His most recent trip may be the last for the Palm-Aire resident.

“We had our share of rainy golf on this trip,” Carroll said.  “The most of any past trips over the years. The courses were green and soft, unlike typical links golf.” 

It’s back!

Calusa Lakes Golf Club, one of the more popular courses in South Sarasota County, is reopening Sept. 1. The course has been closed since June to renovate the greens with Champions grass. 

Once again, Sarasota’s Carlton Fisk is bringing his friends to town for a charity tournament to benefit the Suncoast Foundation for the Handicapped, Inc.

The second annual “Fisk & Friends” Celebrity Golf Classic is scheduled for Nov. 9 at The Founders Golf Club.  Foursomes are $2,500 and include a hole sponsorship sign autographed by celebrity players. 

The Southwestern Chapter of the North Florida PGA of America announced the election of Paul Barone, General Manager of Heron Creek Golf & Country Club as the President.  Two others also were voted into office - Vice President: Tim Beckwith, Director of Golf at The Oaks Club in Osprey and Secretary: Glen Murray, Director of Golf at The Ritz Carlton Members Club in East Manatee County.

The PGA of America divides the country into 41 different sections, and within those sections are a number of chapters. At the Aug. 14, meeting, Barone accepted the nomination and was voted to serve as the President of the Southwestern Chapter. The office of the President holds a two-year term. Barone recently completed terms as the Chapter’s Vice President/Treasurer and has also held the office of Secretary. 

Steve Whidden of the Rosedale Golf and Country Club recently became a Certified PGA Professional in Instruction.  Whidden took a year-long training course that allowed him to be more of an expert in instruction. He can be reached at 941-756-0004.

Golf Travel

The United States Golf Association awarded Chambers Bay near Tacoma, Wash., the 2015 U.S. Open.  It has been open only two years and has been rated as one of the top new courses in America. Green fees for the course for non-residents range from $149-$169.   Course facts: 7,585, 76.9/135 (middle tees: 6,541, 72.2/129). 

Sebastian Mark of North Port is headed to next week’s U.S. Amateur at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla.

Only 19-years-old, Mark qualified in Naples at Kensington Golf & Country Club with a score of 70-71 --- 141.

Mark only began playing golf in 2004, and his family moved to North Port less than two years ago. Within a year of starting to play golf, Mark became a scratch player.

He has been coached by John Anselmo, who taught Tiger Woods for 10 years in Cypress, Calif., and by Mike Shannon of Orlando. 

Get Golf Ready Clinics at the Golf Club of Capri Isles follow the published PGA syllabus quite loosely because I like to individualize instruction to the students.

There will be a session on putting, chipping, pitching, full swing, specialty shots and course management. How much time is spent on each of these skills is determined by the needs of the students.