Southwest Florida golf column: Azinger, Annika highlight Immokalee Charity Classic Pro-Am

Paul Azinger made the most of his first appearance in the Immokalee Foundation Charity Classic Pro-Am at Bay Colony Golf Club on Monday. He was part of the winning team.

Azinger, making the transition to replace Johnny Miller as the lead golf analyst for NBC Sports, and LPGA pro Kristy McPherson teamed with amateurs Steve Thompson, Patrick Trittler, Paul Belfore and David Gordley for the win.

"The more I read and understand what the Immokalee Foundation is all about, the more I want to kind of get behind it," Azinger said. "I've always been motivated to help young people."

LPGA Tour legend Annika Sorenstam played once again as well, and was joined by LPGA Tour player Mo Martin of Naples.

"It's a wonderful cause to give back to the community and to children who might not be as fortunate as we are," Sorenstam said.

Pros Richard Johnson and Michelle McGann and amateurs Janet Belle, Terrilynne Boling, Patti Krupp and Kathy Linsin won the women's division. Pros George McNeill of Fort Myers and Paige Mackenzie and amateurs Mike Stevens, Tom Elkin, Jack Krol, and B.J. Robison were the men's winners. Pros Alena Sharp and Dudley Hart of Naples and amateurs Peter and Kaye Negri and Donald and Peggy Redlinger won the mixed division. Kenneth Thomas had the closest-to-the-pin.

"The Immokalee event is always great," McNeill said. "It's incredible seeing the difference it makes to the local kids.  I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of it."

Naples High graduate and LPGA Tour player Kris Tamulis wouldn't have missed it. And she did everything she could to make it after the tour's event in China wrapped up Saturday.   How much?

"I had a 5:30 wake-up call in China on Saturday for the final round," she said. "I left on my 15-hour flight back to the USA at 2 a.m. the same night.  I landed in Tampa Sunday afternoon, then unpacked, repacked and drove straight to Naples, having to stop halfway because I was struggling to keep my eyes open.

"I woke up Monday morning at 2 a.m. from jet lag.  If the event was not in my hometown to support such an amazing foundation that does so much for kids in our community, I wouldn’t have put my body through the extra effort.  But, as always,  I am so proud of Naples, and the people who donate so much of their time and money (in most cases) to this area of their second homes. It’s inspiring, and I wouldn’t skip it."

The combined amount raised at the Immokalee Foundation’s Charity Classic Celebration and Pro-Am was more than $2 million.

Tamulis, McNeill reflect on 2018: Looking at the numbers, and Naples High graduate Kris Tamulis, who plays out of Grey Oaks, and Fort Myers' George McNeill may not appear to have had successful 2018s.

Just to the contrary.

Even though Tamulis failed to finish in the top 72 to earn a spot in this week's CME Group Tour Championship, she sees the overall season as a positive. Last year, she was 118th on the money list, but this year she was 86th. She's 90th in the Race to the CME Globe, compared to 115th last year.

"After a horrible LPGA season in 2017, I had serious thoughts on whether 2018 might be my last year playing," Tamulis said. "People are constantly commenting on my age (37) and when I’ll retire to have kids.  I committed this season to sorting out my ball-striking problems that plagued my year and trying to take more weeks off.  The result was a season I am very proud of.  I finished T4 in my second start.  I made a lot of cuts, oftentimes going the wrong direction on the leaderboard on the weekend, but I really felt good about how I was hitting it, and I enjoyed my weeks on the road. 

"I definitely struggled with my putting at the end of the summer and that hurt my earnings, but I’ve worked hard with my putting coach, John Graham, in the weeks leading into my last event of the year in China and had another great week in difficult conditions finishing T22 after about a month off."

All of this has Tamulis looking forward to 2019, and finding that personal and professional balance.

"I’m slowly learning I play my best refreshed instead of months on the road playing seven to nine weeks in a row," she said. "At this point in my career, and life, I find myself incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to do whatever I want.  I don’t desire to be the best golfer in the world.  I desire to be the best balanced version of myself enjoying each opportunity that comes, and dabbling at being a housewife in my off weeks.  Going into my 15th year on the LPGA, I couldn’t be happier."

McNeill, 43, on the other hand, also is trying to put everything back together after dealing with some back issues in recent years. He's learned how to manage himself and his practice, and is striving to get those to lead to success when he's out on the tour. His best finish was a tie for 13th at the Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship back in March. He missed the cut in his only event so far in the 2018-19 wraparound season, at the Sanderson Farms Championship last month.

"The season was OK," McNeill said. "I played 11 events and had a couple decent finishes.  I have lots of room for improvement but I need to take the time to work on it, which I just haven’t to this point.  I’ll get back on track soon and see if I can give it another try to be full exempt again.

"My back is OK. I don't practice or play near as much, so it feels decent most of the time. I still go to the gym and therapy all the time so that helps."

More:CME Group Tour Championship: Brooke Henderson ready to make a run at Globe, tournament

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Locals miss cuts in qualifying, Tour event: Naples residents Shad Tuten and C.J. Swift failed to advance out of the Web.com second stage qualifier in Brooksville last Friday.

Tuten tied for 19th -- one spot from advancing -- and had an unfortunate bogey on his last hole. He shot 64-69-67-75/275. Swift shot 75-66-73-70/284.

Naples residents Eamonn McLoughlin and Matt Hutchins both made it into the PGA Tour's Mayakoba Classic through the Monday qualifier last week, but neither made the cut. McLoughlin shot 70-76/146, and Hutchins shot 75-72/147. The cut was at 138.

Scramble Fore Sarah: The sixth annual charity tournament named after Sarah Hardwig (my daughter, who is blind) and benefiting the Lighthouse of Collier, Inc., and Foundation Fighting Blindness will be Sunday, Dec. 16 at Tiburón Golf Club at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort.

The entry fee is $175 and includes a boxed lunch and awards ceremony. Registration starts at 11:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. For more information, contact Greg Hardwig at greg.hardwig@gmail.com or to register go to lighthouseofcollier.org.

PGA Team Golf Junior Championship: The team from the Junior Golf Performance Academy at Quail Creek Country Club won the South Florida PGA Team Golf Junior Championship last week at Weston Hills Country Club in Weston.

Jack Ryan and Donovan Lawson shot a record 9-under-par 27, highlighted by a double eagle. Jack Zejda and Max Dockweiler shot a 32. Porter Kraszewski and Ian Psota had a 33, and Chase Senkaric and Jacob Trujillo had a 35. The team total was a 550.

“Our plan was to go over and win," JGPA's Spencer Graham said. "These kids were all hungry to bring back the hardware, for everyone in the JGPA. This is a tribute to all of our coaches, players and families that support our cause -- growing the game ... and having fun along the way."

SFPGA Junior Tour: Estero's Kelli Kragh tied for 20th in the Girls 13-18 Division at Wycliffe Golf & Country Club in Wellington. Kragh shot 85-85/170.

Aubudon completes renovation: Audubon Country Club recently completed the renovation of its 18-hole Joe Lee-designed golf course under direction of golf course architect J. Drew Rogers and golf course superintendent Kenyon Kyle. 

During a six-month closure, Glase Golf Construction completely rebuilt and recontoured all 18 greens with Tifeagle Bermudagrass and installed new greens irrigation surrounds.  Other improvements include an enlarged and enhanced short-game practice area, a new brick paver golf cart staging area, and additional native landscaping, elevating the beauty of the natural surroundings. 

The green renovation project was a culmination of improvements to the golf course completed over the past three years during which time fairways and tees underwent a grass conversion from 419 Bermudagrass to Celebration Bermudagrass in two phases in 2015 and 2016. 

"Our members have found the new greens to be challenging and more fun to play,” said Rick Bintzler, Green Committee Chair at Audubon Country Club. “This was a well-planned, phase renovation that demonstrates the Club's commitment to continuously improve our facilities."

Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club honored: The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club has received the Silver Award (2nd place) as one of the top three Best Golf Resorts in the Southeast in Northstar Meetings Group’s 2018 Stella Awards.

The awards, presented by Northstar Meetings Group’s leading brands Successful Meetings magazine and Meetings & Conventions magazine spotlight hotels, convention centers, conference centers, convention and visitor bureaus, destination marketing organizations, destination management companies, airlines and cruise lines. The honorees are recognized for achieving overall excellence, superb food and beverage, professionalism of staff, technology innovations, and other critical aspects of the meetings and event experience.

Finalists in each category were determined by meeting planners during an open voting period during which nearly 10,000 unique votes were tallied. Winners were then selected by an expert panel of judges overseen by the editors of Successful Meetings and Meetings & Conventions magazines.

The award will be presented to Jason Parsons, general manager of the 319-room, AAA Four-Diamond resort, which is Southwest Florida’s only resort directly on the beach with an on-site championship golf course, a world-class spa, and an award-winning tennis center. The 125-acre resort features 34,000 square feet of flexible indoor meeting space, along with beautiful outdoor and beachfront venues.

“This is a truly prestigious honor, for which we are very proud,” Parsons said. “It recognizes our outstanding resort, terrific and recently redesigned championship golf course, and the first-class service our team provides.”

Durland Golf School: Mark Durland, director of instruction at Naples Grande, has announced his fall instructional schedule. Supervised Practice, Nov. 20, 3 to 4 p.m., $50 per student per session; 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. 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. 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

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

Greater Marco Family YMCA Tournament

Info: 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.

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.