Southwest Florida golf column: Sorenstam, Tamulis, McNeill in Immokalee Charity Classic
Greg Hardwig
The Immokalee Charity Classic Pro-Am will once again have a strong set of tour players on Monday at Bay Colony Golf Club.
Former LPGA Tour star Annika Sorenstam is returning, and Naples resident and LPGA Tour player Mo Martin, who plays out of The Club Pelican Bay, will be joining her this year. LPGA Tour player and Naples High graduate Kris Tamulis, who plays out of Grey Oaks, also is back. Other LPGA Tour players are Brittany Altomare, Laura Diaz, Julieta Granada, Paige Mackenzie, Ally McDonald, Brooke Pancake, Michelle McGann, Alena Sharp, Angela Stanford, and Emma Talley.
PGA Tour player George McNeill of Fort Myers is returning, and other players are Michael Bradley, Alex Cejka, Russ Cochran, Ken Duke, Lanto Griffin, Dudley Hart, Morgan Hoffmann, Steve Marino, Greg Owen, Charlie Rymer and Will Wilcox.
The event is not open to the public.
For more information, call 239-430-9122, email info@immokaleefoundation.org or go to www.immokaleefoundation.org.
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Pair of Naples residents in Mayakoba Classic: Two of the four Monday qualifiers for the PGA Tour's Mayakoba Classic in Mexico this week are Naples residents.
Matt Hutchins, 21, who played at Chico State and UCLA, tied for second with a 66. This will be his first PGA Tour event. Eamonn McLoughlin, 34, who played at the University of Virginia, also shot a 66. This will be his second Tour event; he missed the cut in 2009 in the Puerto Rico Open. Brad Adamonis, a regular participant in the Yuengling (formerly Coors Light) Open in Fort Myers also qualified with a 66.
Bonita Bay Club awarded: Bonita Bay Club been named one of America’s Greenest Clubs, becoming the first private club in the country to earn the distinction.
Bonita Bay Club’s green initiatives, programs and activities contributed to its America’s Greenest Clubs designation from Prevo Health Solutions, a sustainability company that recognizes clubs that have implemented eco-friendly practices, such as increasing conservation and recycling efforts, and reducing energy and water consumption.
“Bonita Bay was founded on a vision of sustainability and living in harmony with nature,” said Dan Miles, Bonita Bay Club general manager and chief operating officer. “That purposeful philosophy continues today, driven by a shared commitment and environmentally conscious culture among our club members and employees.”
The America’s Greenest Club distinction is in addition to Bonita Bay Club’s Audubon Sanctuary designation and its Distinguished Club, Platinum Club and America’s Healthiest Clubs recognitions.
SFPGA Junior Prep Tour: The tour had its final event of the season on Saturday at Wellington National Golf Club.
Ethan Boone of Naples finished second in the Boys 13-18 Division, shooting an 80. Graham Boone of Naples was fifth with an 84, and Aaron Zamora of Naples was eighth with an 88. Bautista Valeiras of Naples tied for 13th with a 91, and Jacob Whittington of North Fort Myers was 19th with a 97.
Naples' Dax Greenwood tied for eighth in the Boys 11-12s, shooting an 88.
The Moorings grand reopening: The City of Naples course will have its grand reopening Tuesday. A full day of activities are planned for the members beginning with a continental breakfast, followed by a 9 a.m. shotgun start and lunch after golf. Afternoon golf will be a 4 p.m. shotgun start for nine holes followed by a dinner.
Three years ago, the Moorings Golf & Country Club renovated its fairways and added Celebration Bermuda grass. In 2016, the clubhouse was completely renovated and this year, TifEagle greens were added.
Troon managing West Bay Club: Troon has been selected to manage West Bay Club, a member-owned private golf club and community located in Estero, according to a press release. Troon Privé, the private club operations division of Troon, will manage the club and community association.
West Bay’s original 18-hole golf course opened in 1999 and was designed by Pete and P.B. Dye. In April, the golf club began a $4 million golf course renovation project led by architects Dana Fry and Jason Straka. The newly renovated golf course will reopen for member and guest play on Nov. 17.
During renovations, Fry and Straka enhanced green complexes, rebuilt and repositioned bunkers, improved the course’s drainage system and re-grassed the course with new turf grass.
FGCU PGM wins Jones Cup: Florida Gulf Coast University cruised to a 14-stroke victory over Clemson University in the PGA Jones Cup with a 590 total last Wednesday at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie. The win is the first in FGCU PGA Golf Management program history.
FGCU was second in 2016 annd fourht last year.
“This is really exciting, but to do it in the style they did today was special,” said Marty Hall, Assistant Director for FGCU’s PGA Golf Management program. “To have all five players clicking at the same time was awesome. This creates a lot of excitement about making the team. I think there will be a lot of competition among our 160 students to try and repeat next year.”
The margin of victory was the largest since 2012, when Campbell University defeated runner-up New Mexico State by 17.
The veteran of the squad after competing in 2016 and 2017, Alex Holt finished with a two-day total of 147 (73-74). Playing in their second consecutive PGA Jones Cup were Cameron Fady and Eric Costa, who posted a 146 (73-73) and 148 (78-70). Darin DeLelys and Reece Kornfeld rounded out the five-person team.
“I don’t know that it’s hit us yet – what we just accomplished,” Holt said. “Obviously we’re excited and happy to represent our school. My teammates are really good. They can get hot and go low if the putters are working.”
Greater Marco Family YMCA Tournament: The 24th annual event will be Saturday, Dec. 8 at Hammock Bay Golf & Country Club.
There will be an 8 a.m. shotgun start, with awards ceremony and lunch to follow in the clubhouse. The entry fee is $135.
Registration and continental breakfast will be at 7 a.m. Sponsorships are available beginning at $125.
All proceeds go to the YMCA Financial Assistance Program.
Contact Jean Shaw at 248-4366.
Durland Golf School: Mark Durland, director of instruction at Naples Grande, has announced his fall instructional schedule. Supervised Practice, Nov. 13, and 20, 3 to 4 p.m., $50 per student per session; Complete Game Golf School, Nov. 9, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., $350 per student (lunch included); Green Reading 101, Nov. 12, 3 to 5 p.m., $99 per student; Practice N' Play, Nov. 16, 4 to 5:30 p.m., $99 per student; Mental Game Golf School, Nov. 17, 3 to 5 p.m., $99 per student.
Call 784-2208 or email mark@durlandgolf.com.
Impact Zone Golf: The headquarters' simulator remains open to the public for rounds of golf from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday at $75 per hour; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., private or group instruction, starting at $135 per person; Private or group instruction is available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at Tiburón Golf Club or at the headquarters, starting hourly at $135 per person. Juniors -- The Operation 36 After-school program has started the second semester. For all skill levels. Classes for ages 7-10 and 11-and-over, with classes for ages 7-10 on Mondays and Thursdays, and ages 11-and-over on Tuesdays; Saturday class for six weeks, 3- to 6-year-olds, Nov. 10, 24, Dec. 1, 15, 22. All students must be accompanied by an adult. Classes are $25/class; Tom O'Brien Playing Lessons during CME Week for Tiburón members -- Nov. 13, 14, 15 (four spots available each day), playing nine holes or two hours on the course, $50 per person; K-Coach training during CME Week -- $99 at headquarters in North Naples on Nov. 14, 15, 16 from 9 a.m. to noon each day. K-Coach helps golfers understand personal swing style and body movement.
Call 236-5536 for more information or to register.
To submit an item, send an email to ghardwig@naplesnews.com.
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A rundown of other activities and events follows:
PROFESSIONAL
CME Group Tour Championship
Info: Tickets are on sale for the LPGA's Tour Championship, which is Nov. 12-18 at Tiburón Golf Club at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort. General admission tickets, Oasis Trail tickets, and Globe Lounge tickets are all available.
General admission -- Includes general grounds access. Children 17 and under will receive free admission with a ticketed adult. Active or retired military members will receive free daily admission with a valid military ID. Daily tickets, $15, valid any one day Tuesday through Sunday. Weekly tickets, $30, valid all week Tuesday-Sunday.
Corona Premier Oasis Trail -- Gives fans access to three open-air hospitality suites located on Nos. 16, 17 and 18 greens while following tournament play. Available Thursday through Sunday, $40 for a single day or $120 for an any-day four-pack. Ticketholders receive: Unlimited beverages (beer, water and soda); food samples from Southwest Florida restaurants; grab-and-go snacks; access to beverage stations throughout the course. Ticketholders also gain general admission access to the tournament.
Globe Lounge -- A limited amount of hospitality tickets are also available from Thursday through Sunday of tournament week. Overlooking No. 18 green, tickets for this open-air hospitality suite include: Lunch and a full bar; afternoon snacks; access to the patio, seating areas, televisions and private restrooms. Tickets, $100 for any one day. An any-day four-pack is $350.
Contact: CMEGroupTourChampionship.com or (239) 593-3900.
QBE Shootout
Info: Tickets for the PGA Tour's QBE Shootout -- celebrating its 30th year -- at Tiburón Golf Club at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort are on sale for the tournament, which is Dec. 5-9.
Opportunities to enhance spectator experiences are available by upgrading to the Naples Beach Brew House or the Greg Norman Estates Shark Club.
The Brew House, located between Nos. 8 and 17 greens, starting at $90 per day will feature a variety of complimentary craft beers from Naples Beach Brewery plus food selections from the Boston Beer Garden. The Shark Club, located on the 18th green, starts at $300 per day and includes complimentary breakfast, lunch, snacks and full open bar.
The Shark Pass is once again available for $110 and includes a weekly grounds ticket and more than 70 rounds of discounted golf at 10 championship Southwest Florida clubs. The valid dates for the vouchers are Sept. 1-Dec. 1, 2018, and May 1-Oct. 31, 2019.
Contact: Call 254-9770, go to the PGA Tour Superstore in Naples or the Greg Norman Collection Outlet Store in Estero, or go to qbeshootout.com.
CHARITY
Immokalee Foundation Charity Classic Pro-Am
Info: Set for Monday, Nov. 12 at Bay Colony Golf Club. The low-net score golf tournament will pair more than two dozen of tour professionals with Naples’ most philanthropic players. A pairings party will be at The Old Collier Golf Club Sunday, Nov. 11. Breakfast is at 7:30 a.m. along with golf demonstrations, followed by a 9 a.m. shotgun start. Lunch and awards presentation immediately following the tournament Entry fees begin at $5,000 for a single player and $8,500 for doubles.
Contact: For more information, call 239-430-9122, email info@immokaleefoundation.org or go to www.immokaleefoundation.org.
Home Base Tournament
Info: The third annual Southwest Florida Home Base Golf Tournament will be Monday, Nov. 12 at 1 p.m. at Pelican’s Nest Golf Club in Bonita Springs. It will be proceeded by a Veteran’s Day ceremony at noon. Cost is $200 which includes lunch, golf, cart and dinner.
Contact: Pat Phelan at (239) 980-1609 or paphelan23@gmail.com
Love the Children Golf Outing
Info: The sixth annual tournament will be Thursday, Nov. 15 at Countryside Golf & Country Club. There will be an 8 a.m. shotgun start, followed by lunch. Registration is $75 per golfer and includes lunch. Tickets are available for lunch only for $40.
Contact: Bob Lichy at 239-353-2482 or email at rclichy@lovethechildren.org.
Sunshine Kids Golf Event
Info: The second annual tournament will be Friday, Nov. 16 at Quail Run Golf Club. There will be an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start. The entry fee is $80 and includes lunch. Proceeds benefit children battling cancer.
Contact: 261-3930
JUNIORS
Alico Family Golf
Contact: Kraig@alicofamilygolf.com or Trey@alicofamilygolf.com
The First Tee of Naples/Collier
Contact: thefirstteenaplescollier.org, Derek Clemmensen at 331-1800 or tftnaplesleederek@yahoo.com.
Junior Golf Performance Academy
Info: At Quail Creek Country Club. 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) -- Dec. 15, Naples Grande, Christmas Scramble/Party, 2:30-6:30 p.m.
Contact: Janie Huling at janiegolfpro@embarqmail.com or 239-390-1619.
AREA ORGANIZATIONS
Alico Family Golf Center
Contact: 334-4653 or alicofamilygolf.com, www.alicofamilygolf.com/pga-hope/
LPGA Amateur Golf Association
Info: The Southwest Florida Chapter of the LPGA Amateur Golf Association, formally the Executive Women’s Golf Association (EWGA) was formed as a Naples chapter in 1999 with ladies primarily in the Naples area. The association is now the Southwest Florida Chapter, and members stretch all the way from Marco Island to Naples to Fort Myers and Cape Coral.
Contact: PresidentLPGAAAmateursSWFL@gmail.com; GolfEventsLPGAAmateursSWFL@gmail.com
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
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.
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.
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.
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).
Golf Academy at The Strand: A new golf academy is under way at The Strand in North Naples and is also open to the public in addition to members. J.C. Anderson is the new director of instruction for the academy. Anderson is a former PGA Tour player, who played in six major championships and made over 100 cuts in PGA Tour-sanctioned events. He has been the director of instruction previously in clubs in Dallas and St. Louis, and a previous Player of the Year in both PGA sections, and has worked with junior golfers. To contact Anderson, call (636) 577-9554 or email jcanderson@pga.com.
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.
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.
The Strand Academy: The new academy, under director of instruction J.C. Anderson, will have a Get Golf Ready clinic, open to everyone, on Saturdays that started Oct. 20, at 9 a.m. The cost is $20 per person and space is limited. Call The Strand golf shop at 239-592-9944 or Anderson at 636-577-9554 to sign up.