Sarasota Golf News

Rich Smith, who was the head pro at Bobcat Trail Golf Club in North Port, has been named Executive Director of the North Florida Section. Smith will assume his new position on Jan.1, 2010, when long-time Director, Jerry Porter, retires.

Smith, 38, has been involved in the golf industry for more than 20 years. He has served in various roles, including assistant professional, teaching professional and head pro. When Smith was at Bobcat Trail, he had a syndicated golf instruction column and hosted a local radio show “From the Fairway.” 

Golden-Mendez Team Finishes Second

Wendi Golden of Lakewood Ranch and Gennifer Mendez of North Port teamed to finish second in last weekend’s Florida Women's State Golf Association Four-Ball Stroke Play Championship at Grand Cypress Golf Club in Orlando.

Golden and Mendez tied Tama Caldabaugh of Ponte Vedra Beach and Taffy Brower of Boynton Beach at 9-under 135 for two rounds, but lost the playoff. 

Mo Guttman of Sarasota is playing in this week's U.S. Senior Open at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Ind. Guttman, orginally from New England, qualified for the second straight year.

He shot 71 and was co-medalist at the sectional qualifying at Overbrook Golf Club in Bryn Mawr, Pa. Guttman is the only golfer from the immediate area to qualify. Last year, Guttman did not make the cut in the Senior Open.

Jeff Sluman's older brother and son, who live in Sarasota, bested 585 teams to win the overall championship of the Father and Son Team Classic at the Myrtlewood Golf Club in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Wayne and  Tyler, 16, shot an 11-under-par 61 in the Crenshaw flight to clinch the 54-hole tournament last Saturday. The duo shot a best-ball 65 on Thursday, an alternate shot 70 on Friday before Saturday's heroics in a scramble format.

These are trying economic times for golfers and golf courses, and even highly regarded courses such as The Concession have felt the pain.

The membership is capped at 300, but the club could use 200-plus members to reach that goal. Summers are the slow time for courses, and The Concession, never a busy place in the best of times, is down to about eight rounds per day. Currently, there are special memberships well below the original initiation fee.

Wendi Golden of Lakewood Ranch, Nancy Smith and Gennifer Mendez of North Port will represent Florida in the 29th Florida-Georgia Women’s Team Matches, Aug. 10-11 at The Ford Plantation in Richmond Hills, Ga.

The Florida Women’s State Golf Association has announced the women’s team that will participate. The team representing the Sunshine State is comprised of the top female amateur golfers, including two senior players.

Miller, Smith Capture Sara Bay Tournament

Crystal Smith of Venice, who is headed to the University of Illinois on a golf scholarship next month, shot a 69 to win the Greater Sarasota Junior Golf Association tournament at Sara Bay Country Club last Monday.

Smith posted 15 pars and three birdies. It was her best career round.

Jordan Miller of Bradenton captured the boys 16-18 division with a 73.

One golfer took a 24 on a hole and was the low man in his foursome. A former club pro shot a 104. A 15 handicapper posted 112 give or take a few strokes. He stopped counting after a while.

No, they were not playing Carnoustie or Augusta National. 

The Golf Club at Capri Isles is doing anything but taking the summer off. Here is what is happening in the near future at Capri.

On Saturday, Aug. 22, Capri will hold a parent-child tournament that is open to anyone. The event will be a 12:30 p.m. shotgun start for nine holes with lunch served just before play. Ice cream and prizes will follow. The cost is just $30 per team. 

LPGA Legends at Innisbrook

Colleen Walker, a former club pro at Bradenton Country Club will be returning to the area in November.

The Legends Tour, the official senior tour of the LPGA comprised of the greatest female golfers of all-time, will play its first major championship at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in November. The Legends Tour Open Championship will be played on Innisbrook’s Island Course from Nov. 20-22 and features a $300,000 purse.