South Florida PGA
Serving PGA Members and Growing the Game
What's the News?
By Chance Bressler
•
November 3, 2026
West Palm Beach, FL - Michael Kartrude, Taylor Collins, Justin Hicks, and Jerry Tucker have been awarded the 2026 South Florida PGA Rolex Section, Women's, Senior, and Super Senior Player of the Year honors, respectively, based on the season-long points race. Annually, the SFPGA recognizes a Section, Women's, Senior, and Super Senior Player of the Year, determined by total points earned from Section individual stroke play events, PGA Professional Championships, national events, and participation in the Challenge and Senior Challenge Cup Matches. Section Player of the Year Michael Kartrude, PGA Director of Golf at Nokosi, earned the Section’s top playing honor, accumulating nearly 2,000 points for the season. Kartrude's 2026 season has been remarkably rewarding. He kicked off the year at Bandon Dunes for the PGA Professional Championship, finishing in third place and securing a spot in the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club. On the section side, Kartrude’s season was highlighted by his win at the 2026 Bushnell Stroke-Play Championship, one of the Sections four majors. In capturing Player of the Year, Kartrude also earned himself a spot in the 2027 Cognizant Classic of the Palm Beaches. Women’s Player of the Year Taylor Collins, PGA Instructor at Coral Ridge Country Club, has continued her remarkable run in the South Florida PGA. After claiming the Women's Player of the Year honors in 2021, 2023, and 2024, she has consistently proven herself as one of the Section's premier competitors. This year, Collins has once again claimed that honor earning 559.67 points for the 2026 season. Along with this achievement, she has also earned a spot on the Corebridge Financial Team, qualifying for the 2027 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Collins' South Florida PGA playing career began in 2017 and includes winning the Women’s Section Championship in 2024 and becoming the only woman to win the South Florida PGA Section Professional Championship in 2021. Senior Player of the Year Justin Hicks, PGA Instructor at Stonebridge Country Club, has once again earned one of the highest achievements in the South Florida PGA Section, earning SFPGA Rolex Senior Player of the Year honors after accumulating 1,390 points this year. Hicks’ season was highlighted by wins at the Srixon/Cleveland Fort Lauderdale Open, the South Florida Senior Open, and the South Florida PGA Senior Professional Championship. With an exemption, Hicks returned to the Senior PGA Professional Championship at Superstition Mountain Country Club in Gold Canyon, Arizona in late October finishing runner-up and qualifying for the Senior PGA Championship. Additionally, Hicks has earned starts on PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions events. He highlighted these appearances not only by making four cuts, but by posting strong finishes. Competing at the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational, Hicks finished T24. Then in August, he finished T27 at The Ally Challenge. Hicks also competed in two Major Championships, finishing T17 at the Senior PGA Championship and T26 at the U.S. Senior Open. Since becoming a member of the SFPGA in 2022, Hicks has taken full advantage of his Class-A Membership, earning two Rolex Senior Player of the Year titles, resulting in three PGA TOUR starts, four PGA TOUR Champions starts, three section major titles, and starts at both the PGA Championship and the Senior PGA Championship. Super Senior Player of the Year For the fifth time in the last six years, Jerry Tucker, PGA Life Member, has claimed the Super Senior Player of the Year honor, accumulating 625 points. Tucker's season was highlighted by a victory at the South Florida PGA Senior Professional Championship in the Super Senior Division. Closing the year, Tucker competed in the Senior Challenge Cup at Feather Sound Country Club. Tucker adds to his historic SFPGA playing resume, which includes seven total Senior Player of the Year honors and one overall Player of the Year honor. The Player of the Year is presented by Rolex and is a season-long points race designed to honor the best overall Section, Female, Senior, and Super Senior players.
By Chance Bressler
•
October 29, 2026
Clearwater, FL — The South Florida PGA sent a team of senior professionals to Feather Sound Country Club to compete against a team from the North Florida PGA in the 2026 Senior Challenge Cup. Trying to defend their five-year winning streak, the South Florida team fell short, losing the Cup 19 to 12. The team from the South Florida PGA was captained by Roger Kennedy Sr., PGA Life Member, and the two-day event was broken up into four separate formats, played over 36 holes.
By Chance Bressler
•
October 19, 2026
Naples, FL - The South Florida PGA held its third annual West Coast Play Yellow Birdie Bash at The Glades Golf & Country Club on October 19, 2026, to raise funds for the Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida and the South Florida PGA Foundation. The event raised over $323,000 and featured 1,058 total birdies. Donations will continue to be accepted until Friday, October 23rd. If you would like to donate, please click here . “What an amazing day,” said Golisano Children’s Hospital Program Director, Toni Primeaux. “We look forward to Birdie Bash every year. The PGA Professionals are so passionate about this event and its impact on Golisano and the community. We love the Birdie Bash and can’t wait until next year.”
By Chance Bressler
•
November 3, 2026
West Palm Beach, FL - Michael Kartrude, Taylor Collins, Justin Hicks, and Jerry Tucker have been awarded the 2026 South Florida PGA Rolex Section, Women's, Senior, and Super Senior Player of the Year honors, respectively, based on the season-long points race. Annually, the SFPGA recognizes a Section, Women's, Senior, and Super Senior Player of the Year, determined by total points earned from Section individual stroke play events, PGA Professional Championships, national events, and participation in the Challenge and Senior Challenge Cup Matches. Section Player of the Year Michael Kartrude, PGA Director of Golf at Nokosi, earned the Section’s top playing honor, accumulating nearly 2,000 points for the season. Kartrude's 2026 season has been remarkably rewarding. He kicked off the year at Bandon Dunes for the PGA Professional Championship, finishing in third place and securing a spot in the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club. On the section side, Kartrude’s season was highlighted by his win at the 2026 Bushnell Stroke-Play Championship, one of the Sections four majors. In capturing Player of the Year, Kartrude also earned himself a spot in the 2027 Cognizant Classic of the Palm Beaches. Women’s Player of the Year Taylor Collins, PGA Instructor at Coral Ridge Country Club, has continued her remarkable run in the South Florida PGA. After claiming the Women's Player of the Year honors in 2021, 2023, and 2024, she has consistently proven herself as one of the Section's premier competitors. This year, Collins has once again claimed that honor earning 559.67 points for the 2026 season. Along with this achievement, she has also earned a spot on the Corebridge Financial Team, qualifying for the 2027 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Collins' South Florida PGA playing career began in 2017 and includes winning the Women’s Section Championship in 2024 and becoming the only woman to win the South Florida PGA Section Professional Championship in 2021. Senior Player of the Year Justin Hicks, PGA Instructor at Stonebridge Country Club, has once again earned one of the highest achievements in the South Florida PGA Section, earning SFPGA Rolex Senior Player of the Year honors after accumulating 1,390 points this year. Hicks’ season was highlighted by wins at the Srixon/Cleveland Fort Lauderdale Open, the South Florida Senior Open, and the South Florida PGA Senior Professional Championship. With an exemption, Hicks returned to the Senior PGA Professional Championship at Superstition Mountain Country Club in Gold Canyon, Arizona in late October finishing runner-up and qualifying for the Senior PGA Championship. Additionally, Hicks has earned starts on PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions events. He highlighted these appearances not only by making four cuts, but by posting strong finishes. Competing at the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational, Hicks finished T24. Then in August, he finished T27 at The Ally Challenge. Hicks also competed in two Major Championships, finishing T17 at the Senior PGA Championship and T26 at the U.S. Senior Open. Since becoming a member of the SFPGA in 2022, Hicks has taken full advantage of his Class-A Membership, earning two Rolex Senior Player of the Year titles, resulting in three PGA TOUR starts, four PGA TOUR Champions starts, three section major titles, and starts at both the PGA Championship and the Senior PGA Championship. Super Senior Player of the Year For the fifth time in the last six years, Jerry Tucker, PGA Life Member, has claimed the Super Senior Player of the Year honor, accumulating 625 points. Tucker's season was highlighted by a victory at the South Florida PGA Senior Professional Championship in the Super Senior Division. Closing the year, Tucker competed in the Senior Challenge Cup at Feather Sound Country Club. Tucker adds to his historic SFPGA playing resume, which includes seven total Senior Player of the Year honors and one overall Player of the Year honor. The Player of the Year is presented by Rolex and is a season-long points race designed to honor the best overall Section, Female, Senior, and Super Senior players.
By Chance Bressler
•
October 29, 2026
Clearwater, FL — The South Florida PGA sent a team of senior professionals to Feather Sound Country Club to compete against a team from the North Florida PGA in the 2026 Senior Challenge Cup. Trying to defend their five-year winning streak, the South Florida team fell short, losing the Cup 19 to 12. The team from the South Florida PGA was captained by Roger Kennedy Sr., PGA Life Member, and the two-day event was broken up into four separate formats, played over 36 holes.
By Chance Bressler
•
October 19, 2026
Naples, FL - The South Florida PGA held its third annual West Coast Play Yellow Birdie Bash at The Glades Golf & Country Club on October 19, 2026, to raise funds for the Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida and the South Florida PGA Foundation. The event raised over $323,000 and featured 1,058 total birdies. Donations will continue to be accepted until Friday, October 23rd. If you would like to donate, please click here . “What an amazing day,” said Golisano Children’s Hospital Program Director, Toni Primeaux. “We look forward to Birdie Bash every year. The PGA Professionals are so passionate about this event and its impact on Golisano and the community. We love the Birdie Bash and can’t wait until next year.”
About SFPGA
The South Florida Section of the PGA of America is an association of golf professionals whose mission is to promote interest, participation and enjoyment in the game of golf; establish and maintain professional standards or practice; and enhance the well-being of golf professionals.
What's the News?
By Chance Bressler
•
November 3, 2026
West Palm Beach, FL - Michael Kartrude, Taylor Collins, Justin Hicks, and Jerry Tucker have been awarded the 2026 South Florida PGA Rolex Section, Women's, Senior, and Super Senior Player of the Year honors, respectively, based on the season-long points race. Annually, the SFPGA recognizes a Section, Women's, Senior, and Super Senior Player of the Year, determined by total points earned from Section individual stroke play events, PGA Professional Championships, national events, and participation in the Challenge and Senior Challenge Cup Matches. Section Player of the Year Michael Kartrude, PGA Director of Golf at Nokosi, earned the Section’s top playing honor, accumulating nearly 2,000 points for the season. Kartrude's 2026 season has been remarkably rewarding. He kicked off the year at Bandon Dunes for the PGA Professional Championship, finishing in third place and securing a spot in the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club. On the section side, Kartrude’s season was highlighted by his win at the 2026 Bushnell Stroke-Play Championship, one of the Sections four majors. In capturing Player of the Year, Kartrude also earned himself a spot in the 2027 Cognizant Classic of the Palm Beaches. Women’s Player of the Year Taylor Collins, PGA Instructor at Coral Ridge Country Club, has continued her remarkable run in the South Florida PGA. After claiming the Women's Player of the Year honors in 2021, 2023, and 2024, she has consistently proven herself as one of the Section's premier competitors. This year, Collins has once again claimed that honor earning 559.67 points for the 2026 season. Along with this achievement, she has also earned a spot on the Corebridge Financial Team, qualifying for the 2027 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Collins' South Florida PGA playing career began in 2017 and includes winning the Women’s Section Championship in 2024 and becoming the only woman to win the South Florida PGA Section Professional Championship in 2021. Senior Player of the Year Justin Hicks, PGA Instructor at Stonebridge Country Club, has once again earned one of the highest achievements in the South Florida PGA Section, earning SFPGA Rolex Senior Player of the Year honors after accumulating 1,390 points this year. Hicks’ season was highlighted by wins at the Srixon/Cleveland Fort Lauderdale Open, the South Florida Senior Open, and the South Florida PGA Senior Professional Championship. With an exemption, Hicks returned to the Senior PGA Professional Championship at Superstition Mountain Country Club in Gold Canyon, Arizona in late October finishing runner-up and qualifying for the Senior PGA Championship. Additionally, Hicks has earned starts on PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions events. He highlighted these appearances not only by making four cuts, but by posting strong finishes. Competing at the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational, Hicks finished T24. Then in August, he finished T27 at The Ally Challenge. Hicks also competed in two Major Championships, finishing T17 at the Senior PGA Championship and T26 at the U.S. Senior Open. Since becoming a member of the SFPGA in 2022, Hicks has taken full advantage of his Class-A Membership, earning two Rolex Senior Player of the Year titles, resulting in three PGA TOUR starts, four PGA TOUR Champions starts, three section major titles, and starts at both the PGA Championship and the Senior PGA Championship. Super Senior Player of the Year For the fifth time in the last six years, Jerry Tucker, PGA Life Member, has claimed the Super Senior Player of the Year honor, accumulating 625 points. Tucker's season was highlighted by a victory at the South Florida PGA Senior Professional Championship in the Super Senior Division. Closing the year, Tucker competed in the Senior Challenge Cup at Feather Sound Country Club. Tucker adds to his historic SFPGA playing resume, which includes seven total Senior Player of the Year honors and one overall Player of the Year honor. The Player of the Year is presented by Rolex and is a season-long points race designed to honor the best overall Section, Female, Senior, and Super Senior players.
By Chance Bressler
•
October 29, 2026
Clearwater, FL — The South Florida PGA sent a team of senior professionals to Feather Sound Country Club to compete against a team from the North Florida PGA in the 2026 Senior Challenge Cup. Trying to defend their five-year winning streak, the South Florida team fell short, losing the Cup 19 to 12. The team from the South Florida PGA was captained by Roger Kennedy Sr., PGA Life Member, and the two-day event was broken up into four separate formats, played over 36 holes.
By Chance Bressler
•
October 19, 2026
Naples, FL - The South Florida PGA held its third annual West Coast Play Yellow Birdie Bash at The Glades Golf & Country Club on October 19, 2026, to raise funds for the Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida and the South Florida PGA Foundation. The event raised over $323,000 and featured 1,058 total birdies. Donations will continue to be accepted until Friday, October 23rd. If you would like to donate, please click here . “What an amazing day,” said Golisano Children’s Hospital Program Director, Toni Primeaux. “We look forward to Birdie Bash every year. The PGA Professionals are so passionate about this event and its impact on Golisano and the community. We love the Birdie Bash and can’t wait until next year.”
