West Palm Beach, FL - For Justin DeFont, the 2025 South Florida PGA Golf Professional of the Year, the arc of his passion for teaching and developing the next generation of PGA of America Members stretches from a nationally acclaimed golf professional outside of Indianapolis, to a communications-driven entrepreneur in the rugged, Green Mountains of Vermont, to those aspiring to the profession through a dynamic program at a burgeoning university close to where DeFont has called home in Southwest Florida for the past decade. It's a "what else can I take on" and "what more can we do" philosophy that has earned DeFont the highest recognition a South Florida PGA Professional can receive. It's also a daily commitment to mentoring those who feed off his guidance and support, no different than the keen interest that was shown to him by a man who himself has been honored with the ultimate award bestowed by the PGA of America. The South Florida Golf Professional of the Year award recognizes a PGA of America Professional for overall performance, level of service to the Association, leadership, image, and ability to inspire fellow professionals and promote the game of golf. DeFont, a Class A PGA Professional for 20 years, certainly has earned his place at the pinnacle of his profession. "It's such a tremendous honor to receive this award, and I was speechless when I received the word," says DeFont. "I am so proud to be a member of the South Florida PGA, and this is the top of the pyramid in terms of recognition." DeFont, who has achieved Certified status in Golf Operations and is currently pursuing Master Professional status in the PGA of America, recently ascended to the position of PGA Director of Golf at TwinEagles, a 36-hole facility in Naples, Florida. Prior to that, he was the PGA Head Professional for 10 years at nearby Audubon Country Club, and over his time at Audubon, DeFont directly mentored more than 75 individuals pursuing PGA of America membership through the PGA Golf Management University Program at Florida Gulf Coast University. Students in the program at Florida Gulf Coast are required to serve internships at multiple golf facilities as a major component of their education, which ultimately can lead to PGA of America membership upon graduation. "I think it speaks to the desire to treat those who report to you like they are the ones in charge, and to empower them so they feel like they can make their own decisions," adds DeFont, the 2023 Golf Professional of the Year in the Southwest Chapter of the South Florida PGA. "It's putting people in positions where they may not be the most comfortable, and challenging them so that they become capable of handling all of the aspects of a job at the top and eventually helping them become more valuable in their chosen field." DeFont, the director of golf today, was once one of those willing students, having completed a similar program at Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina, in the fall of 2004. Two of his internships occurred under the same PGA of America Professional, albeit at different facilities in two different states. And to say that Tony Pancake has highly influenced DeFont's life and career is, well, to appreciate that the four months DeFont interned under Pancake at Baltimore Country Club meant so much to him that he traveled to Carmel, Indiana, for his final internship after Pancake had become the PGA Director of Golf at Crooked Stick Club, site of the 1991 PGA Championship. "I'm extremely grateful to Tony because he took such an interest in me as a golf professional and he cared about my growth, as he has with all of his interns," says DeFont. "He gave me opportunities in different areas of the operation, and he prepared me for the next steps in my career." DeFont truly learned from the best, as Pancake was recognized as the 2024 PGA of America Golf Professional of the Year. Pancake, now in his 23rd year at Crooked Stick, also was featured in a PGA of America promotional spot that aired throughout the recent coverage of the 45th Ryder Cup. "Right off, I could see that Justin had the passion to do well, the attention to detail, and he was very strong behind the scenes," Pancake says. "So, I challenged him to be more out front, to work the room, and to engage with the members at both clubs. Golf is still very much a people business, and you have to be really good with people or you'll never have the chance to advance. Justin understood that, improved in those areas, and I am so happy today to see how he has grown and moved up the ladder in his career." DeFont was named the recipient of the 2022 South Florida PGA Bill Strausbaugh Award, with criteria for the honor including professional mentoring. In particular, DeFont is proud of the impact he has had on Pete Makarov, who began working at Audubon Country Club helping primarily in the locker room in 2014, the year before DeFont arrived. Makarov spent the next three years working at Audubon and developing under DeFont's system and today he is the PGA Head Professional at True North Golf Club in Harbor Springs, Michigan. Braedon Fox was assigned by Florida Gulf Coast to intern under DeFont at Audubon. Early on, Fox expressed a passion for photography, and DeFont encouraged Fox's interest by assigning him to photograph/video the club's Men's Invitational and produce a video recap. Fox's skills elevated the experience for Audubon members who competed in the Invitational, and it helped set Fox on a course that today has him owning Braedon Fox Media LLC. In addition to his duties as Communications and Member Services Director at the Vermont Golf Association, Fox has supported the PGA of America with freelance projects for both the 2023 and 2025 Ryder Cups. "I'm not sure I would be in the position I am now if it were not for Justin," says Fox. "He made time to find out what my interests were, as he has done with all of his interns, he helped me develop into the PGA member I am today. It's what makes him unique as a mentor." DeFont also has impressed the best of the South Florida PGA, including Tom Wildenhaus, a Past President of the South Florida PGA and the current President of its Foundation. "Justin is one of the best young PGA Members I’ve met in a while," says Wildenhaus, the longtime PGA Director of Golf at Olde Florida Golf Club in Naples. "He has committed himself to mentoring the next generation of PGA Members and has found time to support his community through the SFPGA Foundation. He is very deserving of being our Golf Professional of the Year, and I’m excited to see where his career takes him."

BOCA RATON, FL – The Fourth Annual PGA HOPE Cup at St. Andrews Country Club concluded today with Team Impellittiere capturing the Front Nine Division title with a 5-under par 31, while Team Gray claimed victory in the Back Nine Division with a 6-under par 30. Team Impellittiere was led by Jerry Impellittiere, PGA Director of Instruction at Monarch Country Club, and Veterans Wayne Hanners, Juan Mata Jr, and William Howe. Team Gray was led by PGA Life Member Mike Gray, and Veterans Michael Carey, Barry Colson, and Michele Colson. This annual event brings together 72 Veterans and 24 South Florida PGA of America Professionals for a day of camaraderie, competition, and celebration. Each team featured one PGA Professional paired with three SFPGA HOPE Graduates, competing across two divisions: Front Nine and Back Nine. PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is the flagship military program of the South Florida PGA Foundation, which introduces golf to Veterans and Active-Duty Military Personnel to enhance their physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being. All participating Veterans have completed the six-week PGA HOPE program, which is offered at no cost to them as a way of giving back for their service. Now in its 10th year, PGA HOPE has had a profound impact across South Florida. The South Florida PGA Foundation has served over 2,000 Veterans through more than 140 programs, helping to create a supportive community where Veterans can experience both the therapeutic value of golf and the camaraderie that comes with it. The special day would not have been possible without the support of SFPGA Foundation Secretary and Director of Golf at St. Andrews Country Club, Paul Clivio, PGA, and his entire team. Click here to learn more about the South Florida PGA Foundation and PGA HOPE.

Palm Beach Gardens, FL - The Country Club at Mirasol hosted the South Florida PGA E-Z-GO Pro-Superintendent today, with Corey Henry, PGA, and Bob Harper of The Country Club of Coral Springs winning the gross division, while Nick Latimer, PGA, and Jason Jobson of The Medalist Golf Club captured the net division. This year’s Championship, not contested in 2024 due to inclement weather, welcomed 49 teams of one South Florida PGA Professional and a golf course superintendent from the same facility playing in an 18-hole scramble format. In the gross division, Henry, PGA General Manager at the Country Club of Coral Springs and partner Harper, wrapped play at 9-under, defeating Mike Demakos, PGA Director of Golf at Sailfish Point Golf Club and partner Scott MacPhee in a scorecard playoff that was determined by the back-nine score. Henry and Harper finished with a 31 while Demakos and MacPhee shot a 32. In third place came the team from Miami Shores Country Club with PGA Teaching Professional, Ricardo Ronderos, and partner, Seth Strickland, finishing at 8-under. In the net division, Latimer, PGA Assistant Professional at Medalist Golf Club, and Jobson fired a 12-under round, defeating Clay Myers, PGA Head Professional at The Park, and partner Peter Lavallee by one shot. In third place was Mike Melton, PGA Head Professional at Fairwinds Golf Course, and partner Joe Brink at 10-under. The 2025 E-Z-GO Pro-Superintendent was hosted at The Country Club at Mirasol and played on the Sunrise course. E-Z-GO was the title partner, while COURSE RECORD, Relay, Scales, Southeast Water and Land Management, The Turf Guy Pro, and Unknown Golf were supporting partners.

West Palm Beach, FL - Ashley Grier, PGA, posted a final round 6-under 65 to force a playoff and eventually win the South Florida PGA Women’s Section Championship, played September 29-30 at The Park. Susan Bond, PGA, captured her second consecutive Senior title. The South Florida PGA Women’s and Senior Section Championships welcome the top female professionals within the SFPGA Section to compete for the Pam Brosnihan Section Championship trophy. This event serves as a way to honor the late Brosnihan, who was a PGA Professional at Quail Ridge Country Club from 1992 until her passing in 2014 after a long fight against cancer. Dan Brosnihan, current PGA Director of Golf at The Club at Quail Ridge, was in attendance to present the trophies to each champion. After an opening round at 3-over, 74, Grier of the Legacy Golf & Tennis Club trailed Loretta Giovannettone, PGA by five. “I had a talk with myself and changed my mental outlook today and just tried to have fun, make good swings and not really worry where it goes,” Grier explained her mindset going into the final round. “It is amazing when you let go of trying to hit a good shot or shoot a good score how it just happens easily. The mental switch led to a 4-under front nine and 2-under back nine that included a birdie on the 18th hole, forcing a playoff with Giovannettone of Loblolly. The playoff was contested on the par-5 18th hole, which both players birdied in regulation. With Grier in the fairway after her tee ball and Giovannettone in the fairway bunker, Grier was first to play, hitting the green in two with a 5 wood. Giovannettone then missed the green left and was unable to get up and down for birdie. Grier managed a two-putt birdie, claiming the title in her first year as an SFPGA Member. “It is very exciting,” emphasized Grier. “I had won the event in some of my previous Sections and this is the strongest Section I have played in with a lot of really good players and it wasn't an easy task. I knew I had to shoot under par and play really well if I wanted to get a win this week.” In her first season as an SFPGA Member, Grier has finished in the top-25 during all four Section Majors, had her fifth start in the KMPG Women’s PGA Championship, qualified for the 2026 PGA Professional Championship, made the 2025 SFPGA Challenge Cup team and now adds 2025 South Florida PGA Women’s Section Champion. “I was kind of nervous coming into the Section. I had success in my other Sections, but there are so many really solid players, and shooting even-par was pretty good before, but now you have to be under-par or you don’t compete,” Grier said. “I kind of did everything I could possibly ask for this year and met a lot of great people.” In the senior division, Susan Bond, PGA of PGA Magazine captured her second straight Women’s Senior Section Championship title, defeating Pamela Elders of Boca West Country Club by four. Bond opened the 36-hole event with a 7-over 78, trailing Kim Augusta, PGA by one and tied with Elders going into the final round. With a 5-over 76, Bond managed the tournament's low round in the senior division to hold off Elders, who had a hole-in-one on the third hole today. The 2025 South Florida PGA Women’s Section Championship was supported by Winston Collection and The PGA Tour. This year’s Championship was hosted at The Park which is led by PGA General Manager, Brian Conley, PGA Director of Golf, Cody Sinkler and PGA Head Professional, Clay Myers. Leaderboard

West Palm Beach, FL - A Class-A PGA of America Golf Professional since 2024, Michael Kartrude, PGA, has excelled at the Section and National levels, qualifying for the 2025 PGA Championship through the PGA Professional Championship in his first attempt. Today, the lead PGA Assistant at The Bear’s Club adds 2025 South Florida PGA Professional Champion to his quickly growing resume. With rounds of 66-61-73, 12-under par, Kartrude not only clinched the Championship title, but also earned entry into the 2026 Puerto Rico Open. “It feels great," Kartrude exhaled after a grueling final round. “It is where I wanted to be when I got elected, and that was a goal, and we did it.” After opening the 46th Section Championship with a 4-under 66, Kartrude was in a tie for fourth and two back of the lead. Kartrude set himself apart from the rest of the pack in round two, matching The Park's course record with a 10-under 61, giving himself a three-shot lead heading into the final round. “I was playing great, and when I'm playing that way, I know I can go low,” Kartrude recalled in his second round. “The hardest part for me is holding that together.” Following a career round, Kartrude reset and prepared for a crucial final round. “I did my best to slow my emotions down,” Kartrude said. “Walk slower, walk around the hole a little more. I don’t want to speed up because if I speed up, it can snowball, and I think I could have held it together better than I did today, but I did enough. Kartrude's emotions were certainly tested today, battling harsh conditions. His first test came on the par-4, 8th hole, where a bad lie on his approach shot led to a double bogey. Kartrude bounced back with a birdie on the par-5, 9th hole to hold a five-shot lead over Justin Hicks, PGA, heading into the final nine. After losing his tee ball right on the par-4, 10th hole, Kartrude saved bogey before making another bogey on the par-4, 12th hole. Kartrude bounced back with a birdie on the par-4, 13th hole, before facing his toughest emotional battle. On the par-5, 15th hole, Kartrude lost his ball in a tree just left of the fairway, leading to an eventual double bogey. “Between the horrible situation I got on 8, losing a ball on 10, and then having a ball stuck in a tree. Talk about going through it, so I think my emotions were in check enough to get through it.” Kartrude managed to play the final three holes at even-par to claim the title by three shots over Dakun Chang, PGA. Hicks finished in third at 6-under total, while Ian Shapiro, PGA, Jeremy Wells, PGA, and Raymond Miron, PGA, finished in a tie for fourth at 4-under.

The PGA of America announced today that Jim McLean, PGA of Jim McLean Golf Schools, and Dennis Walters, Honorary PGA of America Member, will be inducted into the 2025 PGA of America Hall of Fame Class. Jim McLean is one of the most influential PGA of America Golf Professionals in the world, recognized globally for his teaching excellence. In 1991, he founded the Jim McLean Golf School at Doral, which has grown into an internationally respected academy with locations across the U.S., Spain, Mexico, and South Korea, and is currently headquartered at the historic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Fla. His schools have produced 420 certified teaching professionals, with over 250 serving as Directors of Golf or Instruction. McLean, a PGA Master Professional, has taught thousands of golfers, including over 100 PGA, LPGA, and Champions Tour professionals, including Cristie Kerr, Keegan Bradley, Tom Kite, Peter Jacobsen, Lexi Thompson, Gary Woodland, and Bernhard Langer. McLean has written 15 golf books, a business book and contributed to Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, Golf Illustrated and Met Golfer. He has been a featured presenter at 12 PGA Teaching & Coaching Summits, spoke at three European Summits and has presented all over the world. He served 15 years on the National PGA Teaching and Education Committees. McLean’s contributions have been recognized at every level. In the Metropolitan Section, where he spent 19 years, he was named Teacher of the Year (1986), received the Professional Development Award (1987) and was inducted into the Met PGA Hall of Fame (2012). In the South Florida Section, he won Teacher of the Year twice (1996, ‘98), earned the Youth Player Development (2000) and Professional Development Awards (2001) and was inducted into the South Florida PGA Hall of Fame (2020). Nationally, he was named PGA of America Teacher of the Year (1994) and received the PGA Professional Development Award (2020). As a player, McLean qualified for the U.S. Junior, U.S. Amateur, U.S. Open, and U.S. Senior Open, and made the cut in the Masters. Earlier in his career, he was Director of Golf at Sunningdale, Quaker Ridge, Sleepy Hollow, Tamarisk, and Doral. Both of his sons, Matt (Wake Forest) and Jon (Oklahoma State), played college golf. Born in Neptune Township, New Jersey, World Golf Hall of Fame Member Dennis Walters fell in love with the game early and became one of the state’s top junior golfers. He finished 11th in the 1971 U.S. Amateur and after playing collegiate golf at North Texas State University, aimed for the PGA TOUR, reaching the finals of Q-School. His plans changed dramatically after a golf cart accident in 1974 left the 24-year-old paralyzed from the waist down. Showcasing the dedication and devotion that has marked his life ever since, Walters turned tragedy into inspiration and found a way to continue playing the game he loves at a high level while inspiring others to do the same. In 1975, he began playing from a custom-made swivel seat on his golf cart, beginning a career of inspiring all golfers, especially those with disabilities, and leading to the recognition of a new category: Adaptive golf. Walters won the inaugural USGA Adaptive Open in the seated division in 2022. Two years later, he won the Florida Adaptive Open in the seated division shooting 74, one shot lower than his age. Since 1977, he has staged the world-famous one-hour trick-shot clinic, the “Dennis Walters Golf Show,” more than 3,000 times, traveling over 3.5 million miles and always accompanied by his co-star rescue dog. Walters was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2019; New Jersey Golf Hall of Fame ( 2019); received the USGA Bob Jones Award (2018); Neptune High School Hall of Fame (2016); South Florida PGA Section Hall of Fame (2010); PGA of America Distinguished Service Award (2008); University of North Texas Hall of Fame (2000); joined the likes of U.S. Presidents Dwight Eisenhower and Gerald Ford as a PGA of America Honorary Member (1992); and received the Ben Hogan Award (1978). The PGA of America Hall of Fame originated in 1940 at the suggestion of famed sportswriter Grantland Rice. It is the highest honor the PGA of America can bestow upon its membership or ambassadors of the game. For a full list of PGA of America Hall of Fame members, click here . “The PGA of America is honored to recognize our 2025 Hall of Fame Class and celebrate the incredible impact they have had throughout their careers, inspiring thousands both on and off the course,” said PGA of America President and Master Professional Don Rea Jr., PGA Owner/Operator of Augusta Ranch Golf Club (Arizona). “Whether they have won Major Championships, given thousands of lessons or captivated audiences with trick shots, each PGA Hall of Fame Member has played an essential role in shaping the game of golf as we know it today.” The 2025 PGA of America Hall of Fame Inductees fall under four induction categories: PGA of America Past President Category (Richerson); PGA of America Golf Professional Category (Glanton, McLean, Turner); Tour Player Professional Category (Lopez); and PGA of America Ambassador Category (Walters).

Naples, FL - Brant Peaper carded rounds of 67-69–136 to win the South Florida Assistant PGA Professional Championship by one shot held at Bear’s Paw Country Club, August 28-29. With a staggered leaderboard following round one, Peaper, an Associate Assistant Professional at Lost Tree Club, trailed Ryan Crowley by three, who matched the Bear’s Paw course record with an 8-under 64 during the opening round. For the second consecutive year, Peaper entered the final round in the lead group. While being 2-under on the day through 6, Peaper’s tee shot found a bunker on the par-5, 7th hole. “I hit what I thought was a really good drive, which leaked into the bunker. Then I took off a little more than I could chew and hit it right into the lip,” explained Peaper on what led to a double-bogey on the 7th hole. Undeterred, Peaper parred the 8th and 9th holes to finish even on the front-9 and 5-under overall, still within two shots of the lead. “There is still a lot of golf to be played," Peaper told himself. “It doesn’t really matter, you just have to try to hit really good shots and see what happens.” Heading into the back nine, Peaper did not drop a single shot, playing the final 9 holes at 3-under, including a birdie on the 17th that ultimately secured the one-shot victory over Taylor Morgan, PGA of Pine Tree Club, and Michael Kartrude, PGA of The Bear’s Club.

Labelle, FL (August 29, 2025) - The South Florida PGA Foundation dedicated its 12th Habitat for Humanity home to new homeowners Jesus and Paola. This build was made possible through a partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties. In 2023, the thought of home ownership was merely a glimmer of hope for Jesus and Paola. With a desire to provide a safe home for their young family, faced with many challenges along the way, today's dedication was filled with joyful tears and much excitement as they received the keys to their first home, thanks to the support of the South Florida PGA Foundation and all of the members who supported the project. Bearing gifts upon their arrival, Jesus and Paola were so grateful and appreciative of all the support they received on the journey to homeownership, from their family and friends to the volunteers, Habitat for Humanity staff, and beyond. “We have a home for our kids to grow,” said Paola. “We are very happy and excited to receive this home.”

PGA of America Golf Professionals are coined as experts in the game and business of golf, whose mission is to grow the game we all love. At more than 30,000 strong, the PGA of America offers an extensive network of professionals to lean on, ask questions, seek advice, and collaborate with. Opportunities to network can come at the Chapter, Section, and National levels, all designed to elevate the PGA Professional. As golf department heads, PGA Professionals play an integral role in facilities, and PGA Professionals in high management roles are becoming increasingly more prevalent. Outside of being PGA General Managers, one thing stands out for Brian Bartolec of Shadow Wood Country Club, Ken Kosak of Broken Sound Club, and Rob Oosterhuis of Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club – they are all involved with the Club Management Association of America (CMAA) and all three sit on the CMAA Florida Chapter Board of Directors.