Southwest Florida golf column: First Tee of Naples/Collier tourney raises over $11,000
Greg Hardwig
The First Tee of Naples/Collier Fundraiser Tournament at Tiburón Golf Club at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort raised $11,740 for the Naples chapter on Saturday.
Tiburón members Lisa Erdmier, Mary Ann Palma and Linda Palazzole chaired the tournament committee.
The team of Robert Sellars, Edward McFarland, Sandy Strawn, and John Sabo shot a 115 to win by eight strokes and donated the $45 per player winnings back to The First Tee.
Dr. Mel Friedman won the putting contest, the only person to hole the putt, and donated his $20 winnings back to the charity. Doris Hutch (6 feet, 6 inches) and Edward McFarland (2 feet, 3 inches) won the closest-to-the-pins on Nos. 12 and 16, respectively.
Bonita Springs' Barnes wins State Senior Amateur: Bill Barnes of Bonita Springs won the 57th Florida State Senior Amateur in a sudden-death playoff Thursday after holding a five-shot lead entering the final round at Mayacoo Lakes Country Club in West Palm Beach.
Barnes put his third shot in the water and double-bogeyed the 18th hole, falling into a tie with Temple Terrace's Don Whittemore at 2-over 215. But Barnes made a 2-footer for par on the 18th to win after Whittemore missed his par putt. Barnes shot 71-69-75/215.
Bonita Springs' Sam Till tied for eighth at 77-72-73/222, as did Naples' Walter Gieselman (73-74-75/222). Bonita Springs' Owen Joyner (73-76-76/225) and Mike Arnold of Fort Myers (73-77-75/225) tied for 16th.
Last month, Barnes tied for fourth in the Super Seniors with a 222, Till was sixth at 223, and Naples' Dick Pfeil was seventh at 224.
More:Golf: Peru's Fernando Barco withstands wind to win Terra Cotta Invitational in Naples
Martin finishes 16th: Naples resident Mo Martin, who plays out of The Club Pelican Bay, tied for 16th in the LPGA Tour's Lotte Championship in Hawaii on Saturday. But it wasn't the finish it could've been. Martin started the day in second place, a stroke out of the lead, and shot a 6-over 78. Martin had four bogeys and a double-bogey.
Naples High grad Kris Tamulis tied for 61st.
Martin is 59th in the season-long Race to the CME Globe points standings, and Tamulis is 63rd.
The top 72 make the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship at Tiburón Golf Club at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort from Nov. 15-18.
More:CME Group Tour Championship: Ariya wins tournament; Lexi takes $1 million, Vare Trophy
FSGA Men's Interclub Championship: Pelican's Nest Golf Club finished fifth last month with a 369 Stableford points total. Mission Inn, the host club, won with 391 points. The Club at Olde Cypress was eighth with 348.
Highland Woods Pro-Am: Justin McCarraher shot a 70 to win the Professional Division on Friday of the 12th annual tournament. Jared Blocker was second with a 72, and Dave Farr, Nick Marcoaldi, Jon McDonald and Craig Hicks all tied for third with 73s. Gene Fieger had a 74 to finish seventh, and Charlie Lostracco and Tim Miller had 75s.
McDonald and amateurs Mike Marino, Hank Janco, and Jim Thoemke won the team title with a 125 in a playoff in the two-best-balls-of-four format. Farr and amateurs Kim Hass, Ginger Janco and Carol Marino also had a 125, as did pro J.D. Murray and amateurs Clark Cipra, Rick Spataro and Rudy Bayer, and pro Tom Casiano and amateurs Dave Wilkerson, Garry Lee and Dan Brown.
Golf Yoga Workshop: Pro Phil Grear will be doing a workshop at Practice Yoga of Naples on April 23 and 24 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. each day for women. The workshop goes for four consecutive weeks using the practice of yoga to improve alignment, separation, swing plane, and impact for golfers. All golfers are welcomed regardless of yoga experience. Each class is $30 per person.
Grear has been a teaching professional for 30 years and is a registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance of North America. He has been teaching similar classes at Forest Glen Golf & Country Club.
For more information, call 239-631-1925
Women's Interclub League of Collier County: The organization wrapped up its 2018 season on Saturday. In the semifinals, Forest Glen defeated Country Club of Naples, and Foxfire beat Audubon. In the final, Foxfire defeated Forest Glen.
Gold Ribbon Classic Tournament: Candlelighters of Southwest Florida will host the 23rd annual tournament at Bonita Bay Club East in Naples on Saturday, May 12.
Proceeds will assist local children with cancer or blood disorders from the time they are diagnosed, throughout treatment and recovery.
Registration starts at 8 a.m., with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. The entry fee is $150. The tournament was originally scheduled for September, but was postponed due to Hurricane Irma.
Preregistration is required. For additional information, to sign up, or make a donation, visit www.CandlelightersSWFL.org or call (239) 432-2223.
Impact Zone Golf: Juniors team golf is is open to the public and is still accepting players. For those juniors playing on Impact Zone Golf’s Team Golf team, the next practice will be 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday at Tiburón Golf Club at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort. Cost per practice is $25; Ladies Academy, also open to the public, with Ellen Ceresko at Tiburón Golf Club, Mondays, 11 to 11:45 a.m., $35 per person, April 23 topic: Full swing irons; Junior Golf Academy has teamed with PGA Jr. Camps for the 2018 Summer Camp season, combining curriculum from the PGA of America, Operation 36, and impact-based instruction. IZG Junior Coaches will be teaching ½ day, full day, and competitive overnight camps, offered throughout the summer. Ages 6-17. Call 888-PGA-PLAY or call 236-5536.
For all other Impact Zone clinics, call 239-236-5536.
To submit an item, send an email to ghardwig@naplesnews.com.
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A rundown of other activities and events follows:
CHARITY
QBE Shootout Summer Series
Info: The series that features tournaments with two golfers playing the three formats in the PGA Tour's QBE Shootout has opened registration. The schedule: May 19, Tiburón Black, 12:45 p.m.; June 30, Kensington, 8:30 a.m.; July 21, Hammock Bay, 8:30 a.m.; Aug. 18, Raptor Bay, 8:30 a.m.; Sept. 8, The Quarry, 8:30 a.m.; Oct. 6, Tiburón Gold, 12:45 p.m. A portion of the proceeds benefits CureSearch for Children's Cancer.
Contact: shootoutsummerseries.com, email kroundy@teamwass.com, or call 254-9770.
Breaking Par Grandezza Gala/Tournament
Info: Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida will have its gala and golf tournament on April 21-22. The gala will be Saturday, April 21, and tickets are $65. Tickets for both the dinner and tournament are $175.
Contact: www.JASWFL.org.
Youth Haven Fairways for the Future
Info: April 22-23 at Grey Oaks Country Club. There will be a gala on Sunday, April 22, with the golf tournament on Monday the 23rd. Registration will be at 11:30 a.m., followed by lunch, a golf skills clinic and a 1 p.m. shotgun start with a shambles format. Former Miami Dolphins coach and current Fox Sports analyst Dave Wannstedt of Naples will be the honorary chairman. Registration is $500 per person or $2,000 per foursome. Sponsorships begin at $250. The Bubble-Q dinner party on Sunday, April 22 will be from 5 to 9 p.m. and includes a silent auction. Tickets for just the dinner only are $100.
Contact: 687-5155 or go to youthhavenswfl.org.
Wounded Veterans Relief Fund Tournament
Info: Saturday, April 28 at Hammock Bay Country Club. Registration and a boxed lunch will be at 10 a.m., followed by a putting contest at 11 a.m. and a 12:30 p.m. shotgun start for the scramble. A live auction follows the tournament. There also will be a helicopter ball drop. The tournament entry fee is $250. Sponsorships are available.
Contact: Randall Denman at (917) 623-8271 or randalldenman@gmail.com.
Southwest Florida EWGA Pro-Am
Info: The 15th annual pro-am will be held Saturday, April 28 and Sunday, April 29 at Quail Creek Country Club in Naples. The pro-am field is full with 36 teams, but attendance is still open to attend the Saturday night reception dinner. This year’s theme is “Golfing with the Stars.”
Contact: Lori Drumm at loridrumm@hotmail.com or call 239-304-0579.
Lipman Classic
Info: The fundraiser for Redlands Christian Migrant Association is scheduled for May 5 at Naples Heritage Golf & Country Club. Golfers will receive a continental breakfast and buffet lunch, with door prizes galore. Sponsorships range from $225 for an individual golfer up to the $10,000 title sponsorship held by Lipman Family Farms.
Contact: Kathleen Roehm at (863) 781-2874, send an email to cr@rcma.org or check online at www.rcma.org.
JUNIORS
Alico Family Golf
Contact: Kraig@alicofamilygolf.com or Trey@alicofamilygolf.com
First Tee of Naples/Collier
Contact: thefirstteenaplescollier.org, Derek Clemmensen at 331-1800 or tftnaplesleederek@yahoo.com.
Impact Zone Golf Juniors
Info: Junior Academy's Operation 36, after school at Tiburón. Development program pairs Impact Zone-based teaching. Weekly classes, on-course lessons and weekend tournaments. Packages start at $140 per person per month. Ages 7-18.
Contact: RSVP to info@impactzonegolf.com.
Junior Golf Performance Academy
Info: At Quail Creek Country Club. After-School Group Program (August-May). Openings available for Beginner to Advanced juniors from ages 5-15, Monday-Friday, 4 to 5 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Currently has 96 of120 junior time slots reserved, with 24 spots remaining for March-May before Summer Golf Camps start. 1-Hour Sessions priced monthly from $140/4, $265/8, $315/12. New JGPA Saturday Groups starting soon. Golf camps -- Half-day, cost $225, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to noon, ages 5-15; Full day, cost $450, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., ages 5-15; Dates, June 11-15, June 18-22, June 25-29, July 9-13, July 16-20, July 23-27, July 30-Aug. 3, Aug. 6-10.
Contact: Call or text JGPA Academy Director, Spencer Graham, at (561) 339-4688, or email infoJGPA@gmail.com.
AREA ORGANIZATIONS
Alico Family Golf Center
Info: The 8th annual PGA H.O.P.E. (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) program running for seven weeks during the months of April and May. The free program is open to all veterans in Southwest Florida and is held every Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. The seven classes run for two hours and consist of golf instruction, on-the-course practice as well as a finale golf tournament and barbecue on the final, seventh week. Remaining dates: April 23, 30, May 7, 14, 21; Format: 2 to 2:45 p.m., food and social time; 2:45 to 4 p.m., clinic and 9-hole short course play.
Contact: 334-4653 or alicofamilygolf.com, www.alicofamilygolf.com/pga-hope/
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
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: Thursday Ladies Class, 9 to 10 a.m., $25 per person with golf instructor Debbie Keim (508) 737-3004, deb@alicofamilygolf.com. Keim has 25 years of experience and was head professional at Paul Harney Golf Course in Falmouth, Massachusetts, for the past four years. Lesson rates are $60 for 30 minutes, $100 for an hour, $160 for 3-pack of 30 minutes, $275 for 3-pack of 60 minutes, or $20 additional person lesson. 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 is 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: New home at Raptor Bay Golf Club in Bonita Springs. 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. More than 35 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.
Spencer Graham: The Director of Instruction at Quail Creek Country Club (Guests Welcome) Rates are $225/Adults, $175/Juniors for a 1-hour Private Coaching Session. 3, 6 & 10 Hour Packages Are Available, Golf Course Playing Sessions Encouraged. Contact: Call or Text Spencer Graham at (561) 339-4688, or Email: grahamJGPA@gmail.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.
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.