Southwest Florida golf column: More from the LPGA CME Group Tour Championship

TV numbers were strong Sunday for the LPGA's CME Group Tour Championship final round at Tiburón Golf Club at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort.

The final round was shown live on ABC from 1 to 4 p.m. and captured it all the way down to Lexi Thompson missing a 2-foot par putt, and Ariya Jutanugarn draining a 15-footer to win the tournament.

The final rating was a 0.5, up 25 percent from last year’s 0.4. The telecast had an average audience of 699,000 viewers, up from last year’s average of 509,000 (a 37 percent increase). Naples did have another TV connection: part-time resident and two-time U.S. Open champion Curtis Strange was one of the on-course analysts.

Thompson still walked away with $1 million by winning the season-long Race to the CME Globe and also won the Vare Trophy for low stroke average for the season.

CME Group Tour Championship: Ariya wins tournament; Lexi takes $1 million, Vare Trophy

Overnight TV numbers also were strong on Thursday, Friday and Saturday on the Golf Channel.

Thursday's first round was the most-watched opening round ever in tournament history, a 178 percent increase over 2016, a 0.18 U.S. rating and 261,000 viewers. Friday's was the second most-watched Round 2 in tournament history with a 108 percent increase over 2016 with a 0.19 U.S. rating and 262,000 viewers. Saturday's third round also was the second most-watched Round 3 at the event, up 67 percent over 2016 with a 0.21 U.S. rating and 283,000 viewers.

 A handful of players didn't have their season end with their final putts Sunday. Sandra Gal, who withdrew after the first two rounds of the CME due to back spasms, hosted her Charity Challenge at The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton on Monday.

Jessica Korda, who tied for second at CME, and her sister Nelly, Jacqui Concolino, Jaye Marie Green, Tiffany Joh, Olafia Kristinsdottir, Brittany Lincicome, Morgan Pressel, Brooke Henderson, third-place CME finisher Pernilla Lindberg, Gaby Lopez, Caroline Masson, Jennifer Song and Angel Yin were among those who came from Naples.

The pro-am raised over $55,000 in just its second year, in conjunction with Volunteers of America of Florida. Proceeds will go to homes for 50 homeless families and over 100 children, covering all sorts of their expenses.

The First Tee Elementary School Championship: Veterans Memorial Elementary won the Gold Division, and Seagate Elementary won the Silver Division at Quail Village Golf Club on Saturday.

Veterans had a 159 to edge Pelican Marsh (161), followed by Laurel Oaks (166). Gianna Jarman of Laurel Oaks was the girls medalist with a 37, followed by teammate Jinhee Frecker with a 50. Braden Miller of Pelican Marsh had a 30 to win boys medalist honors, followed by Beckham Darvish of Veterans Memorial who had a 34, and Laurel Oaks' Jonathan Elter, who shot a 35.

In the Silver Division, Seagate shot a 181, followed by Laurel Oaks (211) and Osceola (216). Brandy Singleton of Seagate was the girls medalist with a 39, followed by teammate Penny Singleton with a 50. Logan Whitcomb of First Baptist was the boys medalist with a 39, followed by Aiden McInnes of Osceola with a 41, and Ian Psota of Seagate with a 42.

Southwest Chapter gets two advanced certified: Joe Conforti of The Club at Olde Cypress and Ed DiStefano of The Plantation Golf & Country Club in  For tMyers have both received advanced certification through the PGA Certified Professionals Program 2.0.

Certification programs are included in seven "career paths" -- golf operations, retail, general management, executive management, ownership and leasing, teaching and coaching, and player development.

Conforti received his in general management, while DiStefano earned his in golf operations.

LPGA Girls Golf Charity Pro-Am: A total of 28 female professionals and 84 female amateurs participated, raising $24,000 for LPGA Naples Girls golf at Wildcat Run Golf & Country Club.

Pro Jennifer Ha and amateurs Deana Josephson, Karen Clark and Peggy Frazier won with a 13-under-par 59. Pro Gabriella Wahl and amateurs Mary Joyce, Cheryl Bogard and Becky Townsend were second after winning a scorecard playoff following a 62. Pro Catherine O'Donnell and amateurs Jeannie Knight, Diane Paton and Mary English were third.

SFPGA Junior Tour: Naples' Joey Burke finished 12th in the Boys 13-18 Division, shooting 85-79/164. Jacob Akins of Naples tied for 17th, shooting 83-89/172.

Southwest Women's Tri-County Golf Association: Results, Two-Day Better Ball of Partners (11-13, 11-14), at Highland Woods -- First Flight: 1. Sarah Tessmer-Cathy Wright 148; 2. Nancy Bradley-Jill Martin 152; 2. Barbara Arnold-Jeri Kennedy 152; 4. Sue Sworonski-Jayne Vandermolen; Second Flight: 1. Leslie White-Sue Plander 165; 2. Sharon Trevino-Maryellen Palmer 169; 3. Valerie Klosterman-Sis VanDorn 171; 3. Rose Hoeppner-Kathy Riehle 171.

Alico Family Golf: The Fort Myers facility had its fourth annual Women's Golf Day on Saturday, with over 40 women turning out, along with its five PGA golf coaches. There were three clinics plus nine holes on its Short Course.

The facility has junior golf, women's golf and veterans days on a quarterly basis, and all are free. For more information, contact Kraig Feighery at 334-4653 or kraig@alicofamilygolf.com.

Impact Zone Golf: Holiday camps, 2:30 to 5:30 on Nov. 24-26, Dec. 27-29 and Jan. 2-4. The three-day camps are for juniors ages 7-18. Cost is $299 for all three days or $125 per day; Junior Academy Operation 36 Mid-Mester Program, Nov. 27-Dec. 18, ages 7-18, four-week, three-session program, optional field trip to QBE Shootout, packages starting at $105 per semester.

Go to impactzonegolf.com, or email info@impactzonegolf.com to RSVP.

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