GOLF

Southwest Florida golf: Events calendar, instruction

Naples Daily News
A set of golf clubs on a golf course.

CHARITY

Naples Lions Club Charity Tournament

Info: Set for Sunday, April 9 at Arrowhead Golf Club. Shotgun start at 1 p.m.  The entry fee is $125 per player or $400 per foursome. Contributions made to the Naples Lions Club Foundation are tax deductible and will fund programs for people in need for free eye exams, eye glasses, hearing aids, scholarships, and community vision, health, and diabetes screenings.

Contact:  353-4800 or freedmanh@comcast.net or Napleslionsclub.com

FSW Athletics Tournament

Info: Set for Thursday, April 20 at The Club at The Strand. The inaugural tournament benefits Florida SouthWestern State College athletics, with coaches, student-athletes and staff involved, including athletic director Carl McAloose and all head coaches. Registration, lunch and a putting contest will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a 1 p.m. shotgun start. The entry fee is $650 per golfer. Sponsorships are available. Dinner and awards follow at 5:30 p.m.

Contact: FSW Foundation at 239-489-9210 or Foundation@fsw.edu.

Swing of Grace Outing

Info: The sixth annual event benefits Grace Place for Children and Families and will be played Saturday, April 22 at Wyndemere Country Club. The entry fee is $225 per golfer or $900 for a foursome. Sponsorships are available. The entry fee includes lunch., an auction and "strolling" dinner. The Grace Place Children's Chorus also will perform, followed by a Grace Place student guest speaker. Proceeds benefit Grace Place programs such as educational programs, Bright Beginnings, Academy of Leaders K-12 after-school program, the AP Leadership Program, and Adult Education. In 2016, the event raised $168,000.

Contact:  Go to "Get Involved" portion of the Grace Place website at graceplacenaples.org.

St. Peter The Apostle Church Classic

Info: Set for Tuesday, April 25 at the Mustang Course at Lely Resort. A Golf Ball Drop will be at 10 a.m., followed by registration and a putting contest at 11 a.m., and a shotgun start at noon. Dinner and awards will be at 5 p.m. The entry fee is $160 per golfer. Nongolfers can buy a dinner ticket for $55. Sponsorships available. Funds raised benefit the St. Peter The Apostle Catholic Faith Appeal.

Contact:  Fred Rieckelman at 250-5216.

Folds of Honor Golf Event

Info: Set for Saturday, April 29 at Arrowhead Golf Club. Start times vary, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. for competition and open play, or from noon to 2 p.m. for open play, 2-person scramble or 1-person stroke play utilizing the Callaway Scoring System. Lunch is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and depends on the golfers' tee time. Cost is $75 per person. Sponsorships are available. Instructor Mike Calbot will be on site for analysis from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and there will be club fitting by Tour Fit. Former PGA Tour player Nolan Henke will participate in a Beat The Pro.

Contact: 596-1000, ext. 3 or arrowheadgolfnaples.com

West Bay Open Championship

Info: The tournament will be Saturday, April 29 at West Bay Club in Estero. The tournament is an individual medal play event, and all net proceeds will benefit The First Tee of Lee County.  The entry fee is $75 for professionals and $50 for amateurs. Dinner follows in a private room overlooking the course.

The estimated professional top prize based on a 54-player professional field is $1,000. Tee times will range from 12:21 to 2:09 p.m.

Contact: Lucas Edelman at lmedelman4308@eagle.fgcu.edu.

JUNIORS

Alico Family Golf Center

Info: Offering after-school junior golf from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. The cost is $100 for five lessons or a $25 "drop-in" fee. Maximum of five students per session.

Contact: Jeremy Wells at jeremy@alicofamilygolf.com or (804) 931-6299.

First Tee of Lee County

Contact: 334-4653 or kraig@alicofamilygolf.com

First Tee of Naples/Collier

Info: The winter session programs started the week of Jan. 23 and end the week of March 20-24.  There is no program the week of Collier County Public Schools' Spring Break.  The cost for the 8-week session is $65. For questions, contact Derek Clemmensen, Director of Programs.

Monday -- PAR Program, The Moorings, 4:30 to 6 p.m., Ages 9 and up; Tuesday -- PLAYer Program, Vasari, 4 to 5:30 p.m., Ages 7 and up; PAR Program, Quail Village, 4:30 to 6 p.m., Ages 9 and up; Wednesday -- PLAYer Program, Cypress Woods, 4 to 5:30 p.m., Ages 7 and up; BIRDIE Program, Esplanade, 4:30 to 6 p.m, Ages 11 and up; Teen Program, Esplanade, 4:30 to 6 p.m., Ages 11 and up.; Thursday -- Eagle Program, Golf Club of the Everglades, 4 to 5:30 p.m., Ages 13 and up; Ace Program, Golf Club of the Everglades, 4:30 to 6 p.m., Ages 14 and up; PLAYer Program, Royal Palm, 4:30 to 6 p.m., Ages 7 and up

The First Tee of Naples/Collier is looking for individuals who are interested in volunteering as assistant coaches for the Life Skills Golf Programs.  Anyone who is interested is encouraged to check out TheFirstTeeNaplesCollier.org/ways-to-give/volunteer/ or contact Derek Clemmensen, Director of Programs.  Derek@thefirstteenaplescollier.org.

Contact: thefirstteenaplescollier.org, Derek Clemmensen at 331-1800 or tftnaplesleederek@yahoo.com.

Impact Zone Golf Juniors

Info: After School Programs. Introductory (through fifth grade), Mondays, 4 to 5 p.m.; Pre-competitive (through ninth grade), Tuesdays, 4:30 to 6 p.m.; Competitive (high school), Fridays, 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Contact: Call 236-5536 or visit impactzonegolf.com

Junior Golf Performance Academy

Info: At Quail Creek Country Club. Academy director Spencer Graham III is a Top 50 U.S. Kids Golf instructor and recently was named a Junior Golf Coaching: 2016 Future Champions Top 50 Elite Junior Coach. JGPA annual development: Weekly 60-minute group sessions, ages 5-16, beginner to intermediate, $135; Weekly 90-minute group sessions, ages 8-18, intermediate to advanced, $200; Weekly 120-minute group sessions with TPI Fitness, ages 8 and over, intermediate to advanced, $270. Private Junior Coaching: $150/hour.

Contact: Call or text Spencer Graham at (561) 339-4688, or email pgaswingdr@gmail.com

AREA ORGANIZATIONS

Alico Family Golf Center

Info: Adult clinics are Saturdays from 9 to 10 a.m., and cost $25 per person. Junior clinics also are Saturdays from 9 to 10 a.m., and cost $35 per person for ages 7 and up.

Contact: Blaine Lytle for adult clinic information at blaine@alicofamilygolf.com or 334-GOLF or Trey Sones for junior clinic information at treysones@pga.com or (407) 687-9614.

Southwest Amateur Series

Info: Men’s circuit through the Florida State Golf Association features 36-hole individual competitions, with $130 entry fees.

Contact: fsga.org

SWFL Executive Women’s Golf Association

Contact: Patty Gift, patty.gift@raymondjames.com, 287-5672; Mourine White at mourinew10@comcast.net, 262-5948, swflewga.com.

Valencia Leagues

Info: Men’s league Saturdays at 8 a.m.; ladies league Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.

Contact: 352-0777, ValenciaGolfandCountryClub.com

Veterans League

Info: At Quail Run Golf Club. All veterans welcome. Lunch will be at 11 a.m., followed by a round of golf. The cost is $60.

Contact: Pro shop, 261-3930

World Golfers Amateur Tour-Southwest Florida

Info: $189 per year.

Contact: wgatusa.com or email Jim Stockman at jim@worldgolfersusa.com

INSTRUCTION, ETC.

  • Alico Family Golf Center: Hosting Titleist Demo Days on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the first Thursday. The demo days continue each Thursday through April 27. To sign up, go to Titleist.com. The facility has started Family Days every weekend that includes unlimited mini-golf and ice cream for kids while parents use the driving range. There also is a free clinic Saturdays for adults at 9:45 a.m. and juniors at 10:45 a.m. Contact Kraig Feighery at kraig@alicofamilygolf.com or 231-2036 or 334-4653.
  • APEX Golf: State-of-the-art training studio combining the skills of a golf pro and a physical therapist to improve the body and golf swing. The studio has a high-definition golf simulator, a K-Vest golf swing analyzer, video, and strength and flexibility testing software. APEX offers a free 30-minute analysis of the body and swing. Call 337-2739.
  • Susan Bond: Bond has started as an instructor at The Links of Naples, and is a quarter-century member of the PGA of America. She also is a New England Section award winner in multiple categories. Call 417-1313.
  • Mike Dopslaff Instruction: PGA professional Mike Dopslaff, a four-time Southwest Florida PGA Player of the Year, provides instruction. Individual, group lessons at San Carlos Golf Club. Emailgolfslaff@aol.com.
  • Rodney Bungartz Lessons: At Arrowhead Golf Club. Call 348-5929.
  • Jon Butler Golf: Offering 2- and 4-day golf schools, short game schools, clinics, private lessons and on-course playing lessons. Call 239-821-8447, jonbutlergolf@gmail.com, www.jonbutlergolf.com
  • Mike Calbot International Golf Studio & Triad Golf Schools: At Old Corkscrew Golf Club in Estero. Full and half-day schools are offered. Instructional packages are one, two or three days. All instruction is by appointment only. Private instruction and playing lessons also available. Thirty-five years of instructional experience. Call 482-0900 or visit www.golfdoctorusa.com.
  • John Carroll Lessons: Former Club Pelican Bay professional John Carroll is at Talis Park Golf Club in North Naples. Carroll was at Pelican Bay for 29 years. He is available for instruction Tuesdays through Saturdays. To make an appointment, call 597-3561 or 860-8470.
  • Dennis Clark Lessons: Clark, a PGA Master Professional and director of the Dennis Clark Golf Academy at the Marriott Marco Island Resort and Spa, works with developing juniors interested in furthering their careers to the collegiate level. Clark has helped several young men and women with scholarship recognition and go on to professional careers. He works with both advanced and new players, in either group or one-on-one sessions. All lessons and clinics are by appointment. Call 777-6043 or visit dennisclarkgolf.com.
  • Concierge Service of Naples: An off-site service free of charge to the customer. The service can make tee times year-round at private country clubs in Southwest Florida up to 60 days in advance. The fee is the normal guest rate, and golfers are not required to play with a member. Call 285-7457.
  • Coral Isle Golf Center: The teaching center on Collier Boulevard on the way to Marco Island has a weekly clinic schedule — Tuesdays, ladies; Thursdays, men; Saturdays, mixed. There is a short-game class Fridays, with advanced sign-up required. All start at 10 a.m. Call 732-6900.
  • Wayne Dahlstrom Golf Academy: Dahlstrom is conducting short-game clinics from 9 to 10 a.m. Fridays at Lakewood Country Club (775-0765) and Wednesdays at Riviera Country Club (774-2011) for $20 per person. The class is limited to six participants. Private and semiprivate full swing lessons also are available. Call Dahlstrom at 370-1047 or email wd.top100@gmail.com.
  • Gail Graham Golf: Gail Graham is a two-time LPGA Tour winner with over 35 years of golf experience. Game improvement programs for all ages and skill levels. Individual and Group Lessons. Clinics. Corporate events. Visit gailgrahamgolf.com, follow on Facebook (Gail Graham Golf) and Instagram (gailgrahamgolf).
  • The Golf Institute: Club fitting program includes evaluation based on series of tests, including frequency check and lie and loft angle. Putting evaluations also are available. Call 643-5895.
  • Phil Grear instruction: At Forest Glen. Call 354-1898 or 595-1120.
  • KISS Golf For Women Golf Schools: At Royal Poinciana Country Club. LPGA teaching professionals Lorie McCabe and her staff offer two- and three-day golf schools for women. Private instruction also is available. Call 1-888-451-KISS or 354-3633. The school’s website is www.kissgolfforwomen.com.
  • David Leadbetter Golf Academy: At LaPlaya Beach & Golf Club. Leadbetter is a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher. Academy programs include three-day golf schools and players’ schools, and a one-day mini-school. Private instruction and playing lessons also are available. Call 592-1444.
  • Dan Lockhart: Lessons at Fiddlesticks Country Club in Fort Myers. Lockhart can have lessons with the general public, even though Fiddlesticks is a private club. Rates are $135 for a 1-hour private lesson, $625 for a 5-hour lesson program or $1,150 for a 10-hour lesson program that includes a 9-hole playing lesson. Email dan44gt@pga.com.
  • Mediterra Golf School: Contact director of instruction Adam Bazalgette at adamb@clubmediterra.com or go to www.adambgolf.com.
  • Dennis Meyer’s Golf School: Moved to Hibiscus Golf Club. Offering golf schools, lessons, clinics. Private lessons available. Call 565-5954 or email foredjm@aol.com.
  • Naples Grande Golf Schools: Email mark@durlandgolf.com or call 784-2208.
  • On the Course Tee Times: Naples-based concierge service that partners with over two dozen public, semiprivate and private golf clubs across Southwest Florida. Specializes in arranging times on courses at discounted rates, and access to several private, members-only clubs. No service or membership fees charged. Call 690-6077.
  • Tom Patri Golf School: At Esplanade.  Patri is a former South Florida Teacher of the Year and Met (N.Y.) PGA Teacher of the Year. Available to all skill levels, and juniors. Private instruction by the hour, half and full day sessions also. Short game specialist. Visit www.tompatri.com or email tpatri@mindspring.com. 
  • Raptor Bay Golf Academy: Contact Katie Detlefsen at (239) 390-4608 or email RBGA@wcicommunities.com.
  • Jim Sowerwine: The director of instruction at Pelican’s Nest Golf Club in Bonita Springs has been consistently voted as one of Florida’s top instructors by his peers by Golf Digest Magazine. Sowerwine has been voted “Top 10 Golf Professionals of Naples” by Gulfshore Life Magazine, and developed the Inside Approach Swing Trainer, awarded the No. 1 swing trainer two consecutive years by Golf Digest Magazine. Sowerwine offers private lessons, group instruction and playing lessons, and also specializes in short-game instruction. Contact him at jimsowerwine@gmail.com, 239-272-9631 or visit www.sowerwinegolf.com.