SOUTH FLORIDA PGA

BRADENTON, Fla. (April 19, 2026) - In his Senior PGA Championship debut, Justin Hicks earned Low PGA of America Golf Professional honors with a T17 finish at 5-under par at The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Fla. The PGA Teaching Professional at Stonebridge Country Club in Boca Raton, Fla., played the final round 1-over, his only round above par this week following rounds of 69, 69, 72. One stroke shy of an automatic invitation to the 2027 Senior PGA Championship, Hicks still relished in his performance this week. “It was a very exciting week from start to finish,” said the South Florida PGA Section Member. “I'm still kind of riding a wave of things here. The last couple of years have been pretty good for me. My (Stonebridge CC) members have been really supportive of me out here playing in these events too and rooting me on back home. Had my wife and son out here with me as well. I've got quite a few text messages to catch up with tonight.” Hicks carded three birdies on the day against four bogies, the most he’s made all week, but he’ll leave satisfied with another week of competing under his belt. “The more I kind of get comfortable out here, I think that was a big part of it for me. I've never been the hare in the race. I've always been the tortoise.” Hicks has played some of the best golf of his career now that he has entered the 50-and-older ranks. Prior to this week he competed in the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow on the Corebridge Financial Team, made an appearance in the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches, Monday qualified for the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational and qualified for the 2025 U.S. Open. “Little by little I just keep trying to get that tortoise going,” the 2025 Senior PGA Player of the Year said. “17th is a good finish here this week. I know it could have been better, but you could say that about every time you play golf.” In a booth interview with Golf Channel’s George Savaricas following his final round, Hicks summed up his experience this week. “It was a really special week, one I'll remember I think forever.” Of the 36 PGA of America Golf Professionals competing this week under the Corebridge Financial Team moniker, Hicks created space early on in the Championship, at one point being only three strokes off the lead. Omar Uresti, PGA, was next at T51 and 3-over for the week. Close behind Uresti was Bob Sowards, PGA Director of Instruction at Kinsale Golf and Fitness Club in Powell, Ohio, who had the low round of the day of the 10 Corebridge Financial Team members who made the weekend. He carded a 2-under 70 to end the week 5-over and T59. In his seventh Senior PGA Championship Appearance, and seventh cut made, Sowards saved his low round of the week for Sunday. He birdied two of his first four holes and played steady the rest of the round, crediting his distance control as the difference maker. “I hit the irons a lot better,” Sowards said. “I put a new set of irons in the bag, new shafts, and I was hitting them so far the first three days. I dialed in the distance instead of knocking it over every green, and so for next week’s PGA Professional Championship (at Bandon Dunes), I'm gonna go back to my steel shafts.” Alan Morin, PGA of The Club at Ibis, also made the cut and finished tied for 69th place at 8-over par. Additional South Florida PGA Members competing in the Championship included Paul Scaletta of the Bear’s Club, Tim Cantwell of PGA National Golf Club, and Mark Brown of The Yacht and Country Club. Each qualified to compete as part of the Corebridge Financial PGA Team, representing both their respective facilities and the South Florida PGA Section on a national stage.

Naples, FL - The 2026 South Florida PGA Section tournament season began April 16 with the Club Car Pro-Official at Wilderness Country Club in Naples. The event featured 34 two-person teams, each consisting of a South Florida PGA Professional and an Official from the same facility. Evan Bowser, PGA Head Professional at Wilderness Country Club, and amateur Ray Cool won the gross division with a 4-under 67, edging out Justin Rountree, PGA of Eagle Lakes Golf Club and amateur Will Latreille in a scorecard playoff. Their round included six birdies and two bogeys. Josh Brunet, PGA General Manager at Eagle Lakes Golf Club, and amateur Anthony Hack won the net division with a 7-under 64, highlighted by a 5-under 31 on the back nine. Eagles Lakes defeated the team of Rountree and Latreille and the team of Austin Jarchow, PGA and John Collings of Boca West Country Club in a scorecard playoff. Jarchow captured the low professional title with a 3-under 68 which included an eagle on the par-5 16th hole.  Teams played in a one best ball of two format, with amateurs receiving 85% of their handicap. Club Car served as the title partner, with Golf Sign & Design as the presenting partner. Additional support was provided by BlueGolf, DLL Financial Solutions, Earth Networks, ExecuSearch, Holderness & Bourne, Prize Possessions and RELAY. The South Florida PGA Section thanks Wilderness Country Club for hosting the event, including PGA Director of Golf Sara Dickson, PGA Head Professional Evan Bowser and the staff and membership at Wilderness for their sup port.