Southwest Florida golf column: Naples' Jayson Iten qualifies for U.S. Junior Amateur

Seacrest's David Morgan won't be returning to the U.S. Junior Amateur this year. But one of his teammates will be.

Jayson Iten, a rising senior, shot a 4-under-par 68 on Thursday, then won a four-man playoff at Palm Aire Country Club in Sarasota for the second and final spot. Morgan, who made it to the championship last year, played in a different qualifier Monday and failed to advance, shooting a 70 to tie for fifth, four shots short of the second qualifying spot.

"It's great to follow in David Morgan's footsteps," Iten said Tuesday. "He did it last year and I can do it this year."

Iten started his round with a bogey, bounced back with a birdie, but then bogeyed No. 12, his third hole. He got it back to even par going to his second nine, then caught fire with four birdies, including hitting his approach to 4 feet on his last hole and making the putt to get to 4 under and tie for second.

"I knew I had to get to 68," Iten said. "I knew I had to get to 4 under on the back."

Iten's day wasn't done, though. He had a playoff with Ngai Si of Macau, Aram Yenidjeian of Argentina and Robbie Higgins of Bradenton. Iten birdied the first hole, but Si made a 20-footer to keep the playoff going after Yenidjeian and Higgins both failed to make birdie. The two halved the next two holes, then Iten sank an 18-footer for birdie to win it. Si had a 15-footer, but missed it.

Iten will pay in the U.S. Amateur qualifier just before the Junior Amateur, which is July 16-21 at Baltusrol. He also will be in the Florida Boys Junior and the North/South Junior Amateur at Pinehurst.

Senior qualifiers: Naples' Laurel Kean of LaPlaya Beach & Golf Club shared medalist honors on Monday at LPGA International in Daytona Beach for the inaugural U.S. Women's Senior Open, which will be July 12-15 at Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton, Illinois. Kean shot a 74.

She'll be joined by Holly Vaughn, the former Florida Gulf Coast University women's coach, who tied for third and won a playoff at Northampton Country Club in Easton, Pennsylvania on Monday. Vaughn had a 79.

Naples' Mary Jane Hiestand, a Hideout Golf Club member, already got an exemption into the field.

Fort Myers' Tommy Stankowski qualified for his third straight U.S. Senior Open. Stankowski shot a 68 and tied for second at Vinoy Golf Club in St. Petersburg on May 24. He may be joined by another local -- Naples' Charles Beauregard is a first alternate after shooting a 69 at Quail Ridge Country Club in Boynton Beach on June 7.

The Senior Open is June 28-July 1 at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

More:Southwest Florida golf column: Naples' Vivian Guite picked for The First Tee Par-3 tourney

Florida Women's Amateur: Emma Bradley made it to the quarterfinals of the Florida State Women's Amateur in Lake Worth on Sunday.

Bradley shot 71-74 in stroke play, then beat Celeste Valinho, 3 and 2, and former U.S. Women's Amateur Four-Ball partner Morgan Baxendale, 4 and 2, then beat Sophie Guo, 4 and 2. She lost to Roanne Tomlinson, 2 and 1, in the quarterfinals.

Former St. John Neumann High School standout Sydney Shrader lost in the third round of match play. She beat Andie Shukow, 4 and 3, and won her second match over Sarah May 1-up, before losing to Karoline Tuttle in 19 holes.

Florida Gulf Coast University's Ailsa Clark lost in the first round of match play, 1-up, to Hina Matsui. Estero High School's Kim Egozi lost in the first round, 4 and 3, to Paloma Vaccaro.

More:Golf: Estero's Kent, Fort Myers' Rodino top Drive, Chip, Putt qualifier in Estero

The First Tee of Naples/Collier: Sophie Shrader from The First Tee of Naples/Collier has been selected to play in the Perfect Sense Unified Pro-Am Challenge in Potomac, Maryland, on June 25.

It is held in conjunction with The National, an official tournament on the PGA Tour.

Shrader is one of 18 from The First Tee selected to play in the team event at TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm. Each team is comprised of golfers from The First Tee grouped with a PGA Tour player, a wounded veteran, a Special Olympics golfer and a Perfect Sense partner.

The pro-am is just one day of a four-day event happening in the Washington, D.C., area. In addition to the pro-am at TPC Potomac, the teens will play another round at The Club at Creighton Farms in Aldie, Virginia. The golfers will also enjoy a career exploration day at Perfect Sense and a tour of Washington’s monuments and museums.

Shrader, 16, is a junior at St. John Neumann High School in Naples and has been active in The First Tee of Naples/Collier for five years. She is currently at the  ACE Level.

"We are extremely proud of Sophie and her many accomplishments not only while participating with our chapter but also the accomplishments she has achieved in school and her involvement within our community” said Cindy Darland, Executive Director of The First Tee of Naples/Collier. “We are confident Sophie will represent our chapter well while playing in the Perfect Sense Pro-Am Challenge.”

Shrader was selected for the Perfect Sense Unified Pro-Am Challenge through a national application process. Applicants who met the participation criteria were reviewed by a national committee who scored applications based on essays, involvement with The First Tee and other extra-curricular, as well as letters of recommendation.

South Florida Junior PGA: Naples' Harrison Ornstein finished fourth in the Boys 13-18 Division at Broken Sound Club on June 13. Ornstein shot 71-72/143. He was third in the Boys 16-18 Division; Naples' Chad Tracy tied for 19th.

Cape Coral's Brittany Shin was seventh in the Girls 13-18 Division, shooting 75-77/152.

Naples' Jack Roseman tied for 11th in the Boys 13-15 Division, shooting 74-84/158.

Florida Amateur Public Links: Fort Myers' Landon Weber finished seventh at Southern Dunes in Haines City on June 10. Weber shot 70-71-73/214.

Florida Senior Match Play: Bonita Springs' Owen Joyner made it all the way to the championship match at Golf Club of the Everglades on June 10. But he'll have to wait until July 16 to see if he can win it all for a second straight year. Inclement weather washed out the final between Joyner and Pete Williams, the 2014 champion.

Southwest PGA Chapter Seniors:  Host professional Mike Dero captured the second event of the year for Southwest PGA Chapter Senior Series on Thursday at Quail Creek Country Club. Dero, the Director of Golf, shot a 3-under-par 69.

Tied for second place with 2-under par 70s were Tony Kelley of The Island Club and Tim Miller of Wyndemere. Gary Baker and Peter Mogg, both of Grey Oaks, tied for fourth with 71s. In sixth place with a 72 was Dan Heaslip of Windstar. Gary Keating of Shell Point, and Scott Newhouse of The Forest tied for seventh with 73s.

FGCU's Eric Booker was ninth with a 74, and J.C. Anderson, a life member, was 10th with a 75.

First Tee Junior Tour: Results, at Naples Heritage (6-14): Girls Division -- 1. Annika Church 71; 2. Jordan Knox 81; 3. Chelsea Baker 82; Boys Division I -- 1. John Wolner 75; 2. Kody Horton 77; 3. Gus Vickers 77; Boys Division II: 1. Braden Miller 74; 2. Luke Bower 78; 3. Ryan Kriz 84

Arrowhead Summer Junior Golf Clinics: June 19-Aug. 3, each Tuesday and Friday. Beginner clinics are from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., with intermediate clinics from 9:45 to 11 a.m. Beginner clinics are $18 per clinic or five clinics for $80. Intermediate clinics are $22 apiece or five for $100.

Sign-up sheets will be available in the golf shop every week. You must sign up for the clinics each week through the golf shop. Call 596-1000.

Arrowhead Adult Clinics: July 11 (short game), 18 (wedges), 25 (irons/hybrids), Aug. 1 (driver), 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.  Cost, $25 per clinic or $90 for all four clinics.  Sign-up sheets will be available in the golf shop every week. You must sign up for the clinics each week through the golf shop. Call 596-1000.

Men's Summer Interclub: Results, Golf Club of the Everglades (6-15) -- 1st Flight: 1. Dwight Olson (The Quarry)-Ray Smith (TwinEagles)-Bob Morse (Spanish Wells)-Carl Wangenstein (Heritage Palms); 2. Mike Fellers (Bonita Bay)-Hudman Hoo (Royal Palm)-Bud Addis (Spanish Wells)-Jack Guggisberg (Grandezza);  2nd Flight: 1. Val Kuffel (The Glades)-Mya Swe (Heritage Palms)-Jim Alderfer (Grandezza)-Dan Seaton (Olde Cypress); 2. Belden Burns (Foxfire)-G.B. Singh (Spanish Wells)-Bernie Kennedy (Vanderbilt)-Al Kozak (Spanish Wells) (blind draw).

Next event, Friday, June 22 at Cedar Hammock.

Impact Zone Golf: Juniors -- PGA Jr. Summer Camp registration is open. Impact Zone Junior Golf Academy is running camps this summer at the Tiburón Golf Club during the weeks of June 11 through week of August 6. Camp runs from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday. Call 239-236-5536 or 888.PGA.PLAY (888-742-7529); Drive, Chip, and Putt Training Series --  For ages 7-15. Training will specifically target each area of the competition. Training runs every Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. from May 17-June 28 at Tiburón Golf Club. Cost, $35 per session; 4 or more sessions $30 per person. Sign up for local qualifiers at www.drivechipputt.com; Ladies -- Operation 36 Weekly Summer Program is kicking off at Tiburón Golf Club. Call 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 started. Remaining schedule: 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.

JUNIORS

Alico Family Golf

Contact: Kraig@alicofamilygolf.com or Trey@alicofamilygolf.com

The First Tee of Naples/Collier

Info: Summer programs -- First Tee Junior Tour, 18-hole tournaments for juniors 12-18, $100 fee for five tournaments, Schedule -- June 21, The Club Pelican Bay; June 28, Hideout; July 12, Golf Club of the Everglades; July 19, TBD; July 26, Parent/Junior tournament; Summer camp ($90 a week), June 11-15 (Beginner), Quality Inn & Suites Golf Resort, 8 a.m. to noon; June 18-22, (Beginner), Panther Run, 8 a.m. to noon; June 25-29 (Advanced), Golf Club of the Everglades, 8 a.m. to noon; July 9-13 (Beginner), Island Club, 8 a.m. to noon; July 16-20 (Beginner) Vasari, 8 a.m. to noon; July 23-27 (Beginner), Quality Inn & Suites Golf Resort, 8 a.m. to noon.

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. JGPA Summer Golf Camps -- Half-Day, cost $225, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to noon, ages 5-16; Full-Day, cost $450, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., ages 5-16; Dates, June 18-22, June 25-29, July 9-13, July 16-20, July 23-27, July 30-Aug. 3, Aug. 6-10. 2018-2019 After-School JGPA Group Program (August 2018 - May 2019). Monday-Friday, 12 group sessions to choose from (Enrollment open for 120 juniors, very limited availability). $150-$400/month, Private coaching also available.

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

LPGA Girls Golf

Info: High school/middle school (advanced) --  June 23, Spring Run, sand shots, 9-hole stroke play, 10:30 a.m.; June 30, Pelican Sound, fairway woods, 9-hole Stableford, 10:30 a.m.; July 7, Hideout, swing videos, 9-hole stroke play, 10:30 a.m.; July 14, Country Club of Naples, pitching, 9-hole alternate shot, 10:30 a.m.; July 21, Quail Creek, chipping contest, 9-hole best ball, 10:30 a.m.; July 28, Stonebridge, swing videos, 9-hole shambles, 10:30 a.m.;  Aug. 4, Spring Run, swing videos, 9-hole match play, 11 a.m.; Aug. 11, The Club at Pelican Bay, putting contest, 9-hole Stableford, 10:30 a.m.; Aug. 18, Wildcat Run, 3-hole scramble, 3-hole best ball, 3-hole alternate, 10:30 a.m.; Aug. 25, Wildcat Run, 18-hole Pro-Junior and awards party, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; Oct. 27, Moorings, Halloween Scramble/Party, 12:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.; Dec. 15, Naples Grande, Christmas Scramble/Party, 2:30-6:30 p.m.; Elementary/middle school (just learning the game) -- 9 weeks of instruction and play Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. -- June 20, 27, July 11, 18, 25, Aug. 1, 8 at Worthington.

Contact: Janie Huling at janiegolfpro@embarqmail.com or 239-390-1619.

Southwest Florida Junior Golf Association

Info: Registration is open. There are both 9-hole and 18-hole schedules. Remaining 18-hole schedule -- June 27, Copperleaf; July 4, Off; July 11, Wildcat Run; July 17, Countryside; July 31, The Strand; Aug. 6, Legends. 9-hole schedule -- June 19, Pelican Sound; June 26, Cross Creek; July 4, Off; July 10, Spring Run; July 17, Landings; July 31, Myerlee; Aug. 6, Whiskey Creek. The deadline for the first events is May 20 for the 18-hole and May 22 for the 9-hole. The schedule ends with the Nolan Henke/Patty Berg Junior Masters from July 25-27 at Stoneybrook Golf Club in Estero.

Contact: swfjga.org.

AREA ORGANIZATIONS

Alico Family Golf Center

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.