Creating Smiles in Fort Myers

March 18, 2026

Fort Myers, FL -  For the first time since 2020, the South Florida PGA Foundation’s Smiling Fore Life program has returned to Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. This relaunch marks a significant milestone in the hospital’s recovery of patient enrichment programs and continues a long-standing partnership that has seen over $500,000 raised through the SFPGA’s West Coast Play Yellow Birdie Bash in the last two years alone.


Smiling Fore Life was first introduced to the Golisano Children’s Hospital back in 2012, and the impact was profound for both the PGA Professionals and the children. The program introduces golf to young patients and their family facing serious illnesses, offering meaningful experiences that promote joy, confidence, and personal growth.


“The most meaningful part was seeing patients who had never been exposed to golf come in, connect with the professionals, and smile after hitting a ball into the bullseye, even if it was just one or two kids,” said Stacie Kmetz, a Certified Child Life Specialist at Golisano Children’s Hospital.


The professionals regularly spent time with patients until 2020, when COVID-19 prevented them from visiting, ultimately halting the program at Golisano Children’s Hospital until last Wednesday, March 11, 2026.


Head Golf Professional Daniel Lee, PGA, and Assistant Golf Professional Schuyler Lorette, PGA, both of Miromar Lakes Golf Club, dedicated their time to Golisano Children’s Hospital through the South Florida PGA Foundation’s Smiling Fore Life program. Using the game of golf, they created moments of joy for patients by helping them smile, engage, and briefly take their minds off their circumstances.


Lee and Lorette set up SNAG (Starting New at Golf) equipment in the hospital lobby, cultivating a fun and accessible golf experience. Using plastic clubs with oversized faces, soft felt balls, and velcro targets, they turned the space into an interactive play area. While only one child was able to participate last week, he made the most of the opportunity, sharing plenty of smiles with Lee and Lorette.


This program not only impacts the lives of the children in the hospital, but it also leaves a lasting impression on the PGA Professionals who lead it.


“If even one kid has a good time, smiles, and enjoys hitting golf balls while being introduced to the game, that’s what it’s all about,” Lee said, “It’s a lot of fun for me and truly an honor to be part of this program.”


For Lee, the experience is personal. As a child, a close friend of Lee spent time in and out of the hospital with a heart defect, yet he never lost the drive to play sports such as soccer, baseball, and golf. That resilience continues to inspire Lee to give back by providing young patients with the same opportunity to smile and escape reality if only for a moment in time.


“If I can help some of these kids do that, I think I would be honoring David's memory,” Lee shared.


Smiling Fore Life is more than just a golf program. It’s a reminder that even in challenging moments, there is still room for joy. With continued support and dedication, the program will continue to create meaningful experiences for children and families across South Florida.


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By Chance Bressler August 5, 2026
Palm Beach Gardens, FL - Palm Beach Gardens, FL - Michael Kartrude wins at the third of four South Florida PGA Major Championships, the Bushnell I Foresight Stroke Play Championship, shooting 9-under, played August 4-5 at Trump National Golf Club - Jupiter and BallenIsles Country Club - East Course. In addition to Kartrude, Joe Kern claimed the Senior Division title with a 6-under performance. After the first round, Taylor Collins, PGA Teaching Professional at Coral Ridge Country Club, Andrew Filbert, PGA Assistant Golf Professional at West Bay Golf Club, and Nicholas Tenuta, Teaching Professional at Hobe Sound Golf Club, were tied in first place at 5-under. Tim Cantwell, PGA Teaching Professional at PGA National Golf Club, followed closely behind at 4-under along with Michael Kartrude, PGA Assistant Golf Professional at The Bear’s Club. After nine holes were completed in the second round, Cantwell held a narrow one-stroke lead over Collins. While Collins remained steady on the back nine, Lost Tree Club Assistant Professional Brant Peaper caught fire, carding back-to-back birdies to tie Collins for the lead. Peaper eventually pulled away, finishing his final round at Trump National Golf Club - Jupiter at 8-under. However, over at BallenIsles, Kartrude mounted a late charge after an hour-long weather delay. With Peaper in at 8-under, Kartrude holed out the short par-4 15th and made eagle, then followed up with a birdie on the par-5 17th, which catapulted him into the lead by one shot with one hole remaining. By making par on the final hole, Kartrude finished his round at 5-under and claimed the two-day championship with a final score of 9-under par. “I knew exactly where we were on the leaderboard,” Kartrude said, reflecting on the final stretch. “After the hour-long weather delay, I knew exactly what we needed to do.” After stringing together multiple top-5 finishes over the year, this marks Kartrude’s first individual victory on the Section Schedule for the 2026 season, with his last win being the 2025 South Florida PGA Section Championship. Kartrude states, “I just think that this section is getting better and better. The guys here are getting better and better. South Florida is such a hotbed, so to win one of the majors on this schedule makes me proud.” With the 5-under second-round performance, Peaper managed the runner-up spot, and Filbert, Tenuta, and Zachary Wood, PGA Caddie at The Seagate Country Club, rounded out the top five at 6-under. Senior Division In the Senior Division, Joe Kern, PGA Director of Golf at Mangrove Sands Golf Club, managed a two-day total of 6-under to win the Senior title by one over Justin Hicks, PGA Teaching Professional at Stonebridge Country Club. With this win, Kern managed his first victory of the 2026 South Florida PGA season, with his last win coming from the 2023 Pro-Junior Championship. Paul Scaletta, PGA Teaching Professional at The Bears Club, Mark Brown, PGA Teaching Professional at Stuart Yacht and Country Club, and Cantwell rounded out the top five at 4-under. Additionally, Brown carded an ace on the fourth hole at BallenIsles Country Club’s East Course during the first round. Leaderboard | Event Photos
By Chance Bressler July 31, 2026
Boca Raton, FL - Ryan Crowley and Noah Firestone (a) of Turtle Creek Club claim the Pro-Scratch Championship, presented by Foresight | Bushnell, played July 30-31 at The Old Course at Broken Sound and Bocaire Country Club. Upon the conclusion of round one, the Seminole Golf Club team comprised of Dakun Chang and Jeff Wells (a) were neck and neck with Fairwinds Golf Club's Mike Melton and Jackson Hiller (a), leading the field at 10-under par. Chang and Wells (a) got off to a quick start, making four straight birdies out of the gate. Meanwhile, the team of Ryan Crowley and Noah Firestone (a) did not go quietly into the night. Matching the leader’s 4 birdies, they sat tied in second with Melton and Hiller (a), along with the Turtle Creek Club team of Ryan Isaacson and Jordan Elson (a). Shooting an 8-under front nine in round two, Crowley and Firestone (a) advanced into first position heading into the back nine. The two finished the second round with a tournament low round of 12-under, where they sealed the victory with a 20-under performance, edging out Melton and Hiller (a) by one stroke. Chang and Wells (a) finished the tournament at 17-under, placing in third. Rounding out the top five was the teams of Michael Kartrude of The Bear’s Club and Ricky Casko (a) of Ocean Reef Club, and Kyle Rybicki and Chloe Guschewski (a) of Cape Royal Golf Club finishing tied in fourth at 16-under. The three-time defending champions, Justin Hicks of Stonebridge Country Club and Robbie Wight (a) of Bear Lakes Country Club, finished tied sixth alongside Isaacson and Elson (a). Leaderboard | Event Photos
By Chance Bressler July 25, 2026
West Palm Beach, FL - The South Florida PGA hosts one Travel Pro-Am each year, and this year, the Section crossed the Atlantic to take on Scotland. After five rounds of golf across five spectacular Scottish courses, two teams walked away with the hardware. The field featured 17 teams, each consisting of one PGA Professional and three amateurs. The week-long event was split into two distinct challenges, with every round being a different format. The team from Fort Lauderdale Country Club captured the first challenge from rounds 2 and 3. Led by Tommy Lucko, PGA, the Fort Lauderdale Country Club team included amateurs Ben Hill, Jay Dick, and Colin Loiacono. The Fisher Island Club team earned top honors in the second challenge after a win via a scorecard playoff. Captained by Mike Hulbert, PGA, the Fisher Island Club team included Jim Dow, Bob Nydick, and Daniel Wright. Results | Photo Album
July 8, 2026
Naples, FL - Mike Berger of Hammock Creek Golf Club and Chris Stanko of Banyan Golf Club of Palm Beach claimed the championship title with an 18-under performance at Hammock Bay Golf & Country Club and the Rookery at Marco on July 7-8, 2026. This year’s Championship returned to The Rookery at Marco and Hammock Bay, serving as the host facilities for the fifth time in the last six years. A full field of 240 South Florida PGA Professionals and Associates competed in a team four-ball format over the 36-hole event. After an 8-under opening round, Berger and Stanko were tied for sixth, only one shot behind the five teams tied for first. During the second round, Berger and Stanko fired off four birdies and an eagle on just the back nine, leading them to a 10-under score for the day. With an 18-under total for the championship, the two professionals took home the title by one stroke, finishing ahead of the teams of Andrew Filbert from West Bay Golf Club & Justin Smith of Bonita Bay, and defending champions Matt Cahill and Dakun Chang of Seminole Golf Club, who were tied for second at 17-under. In fourth place came Nick Latimer of Medalist Golf Club and Justin Hicks of Stonebridge Country Club, who wrapped the event at 16-under. The five teams, Michael Kartrude and Paul Scaletta, Zachary Wood and Patrick Ross, Maximilian Coulls and Jason Martin, Ryan Fountain and John Somers, and Daniel Lee and John Lento, finished tied at fifth place with a score of 15-under for the two days. Leaderboard
By Chance Bressler July 1, 2026
Atlantis, FL - Michael Kartrude and Eric Veilleux of the Bear’s Club did not shy away from the weather at the Yamaha Junior-Senior Championship. The two claimed the championship title with an 11-under performance today at Lost City Golf Club (East/North Courses). The 2026 Yamaha Junior-Senior welcomed 50 two-person teams of a junior SFPGA Member under the age of 50 and a senior SFPGA Member over the age of 50. Holes 1-6 were played in a best-ball format, while holes 7-12 were played in a modified alternate shot format, and holes 13-18 were played in a scramble format. Veilleux, a PGA Director of Golf and Kartude, a PGA Assistant Golf Professional had a bogey-free round, carding 11 birdies on the day, defeating the team of Mark Brown of The Yacht and Country Club and Matthew Sita of Boca Rio Golf Club by two shots. Finishing tied for third at 8-under were James Hamner of Windsor Club and Mike San Filippo of The Club at Lost Lake, along with Mike Berger of Hammock Creek Golf Club and Joe Kern of Mangrove Sands Golf Club. Leaderboard
By Chance Bressler June 25, 2026
NAPLES, FL - John Somers wins the Championship Division while Justin Hicks wins the Senior Division at the E-Z-GO South Florida Open, played June 23-25 at Bonita Bay Club - Sabal & Cypress Courses. The second South Florida PGA Major of the year and first three-day Major featured 167 total players competing at Bonita Bay Club in Naples. Following round 2, a Senior Champion was crowned, and the field was cut to 55 players for the final round. Championship Division Hobe Sound Golf Club Assistant Professional, John Somers, opened the three-day event with a 1-under 71 to trail the round 1 leader, Justin Bertsch, by seven shots. Somers fired away in the second round with a 6-under 66, jumping up the leaderboard after round two. Continuing the momentum, Somers finished with the low round of the day, shooting an 8-under 64. Both Somers and Derron Peyton of BallenIsles Country Club finished round three tied at 15-under, leading to a playoff. After the first hole, Somers won the playoff with a birdie, earning the 2026 E-Z-GO South Florida Open Champion title. “You just gotta stay in the moment and not think too far ahead,” Somers said about heading into the playoff. “It was an amazing feeling, especially when that final putt dropped.” This marks Somers’ first win with the South Florida PGA Section since his move to Hobe Sound Golf Club last December, coming from the North Florida Section. Finishing in third with a 13-under total was Justin Hicks of Stonebridge Country Club, while Nathan Kraynyk of Wyndemere Country Club took fourth place honors at 10-under par for the three rounds. Senior Division In the Senior Division, Justin Hicks, Teaching Professional at Stonebridge Golf and Country Club, secured the title with a 10-under performance after shooting 69 and 65 for the two rounds. At the end of the first round, five players shared the top spot including Hicks, Jared Blocker of The Club at Olde Cypress, Alan Morin of The Club at Ibis, Steven Vecellio of Frenchmans Reserve Country Club, and David Startzel of Bonita Bay Club in Naples. Hick’s bogey-free second round edged out Vecellio, shooting a 67 to take his total to 8-under as the Runner-Up. Finishing at 7-under was Morin who took third place, while Colin Amaral of Country Club at Mirasol, finished in fourth at 4-under.
By Chance Bressler June 2, 2026
Port St. Lucie/Stuart, FL - June 2, 2026 - Pine Tree Golf Club Club Professionals, Tom Cooper and Taylor Morgan captured the Srixon Cleveland Pro-Assistant Championship, presented by Club Car, with a 20-under performance over the last two days at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie and Mariner Sands Country Club in Stuart. This year’s Championship welcomed 82 two-person teams playing at PGA Golf Club and Mariner Sands Country Club. PGA Golf Club played a scramble format, while Mariner Sands Country Club played a Chapman format. The duo of Cooper, Pine Tree Golf Club’s Head Golf Professional, and Morgan, Assistant Golf Professional, posted a 12-under 60 during the first round in the scramble format, putting them one stroke ahead of Cameron Fady and Kyle Horvath of Quail Creek Country Club, Morgan Jewell and Nick Hocker of Floridian National Golf Club, and Mike Schuette and Walker Singleton of Loblolly following the first day. With the more difficult Chapman format left for the final round, Cooper and Morgan managed a bogey-free 8-under showing, holding off Fady and Horvath by three, who fired 6-under in the final round. Jewell and Hocker managed a third-place finish with a 5-under final round score. Defending champions Austin Davenport and Nick Beddow of APOGEE finished tied for fourth at 15-under with Mitch Gray and Daniel Escalera of La Gorce Country Club. Beddow also recorded a hole-in-one at Mariner Sands Country Club on hole 6 in the final round. Srixon Cleveland served as the title partner of the 2026 Pro-Assistant Championship, while the event was presented by Club Car, and supported by Ghost Golf, Perry Weather, Oakley, Range Servant, Signs by the Sea, and Firemaker. PGA Golf Club and Mariner Sands Country Club served as this year’s host facilities, led by Jeremy Wiernasz, PGA, Holly Taylor, PGA, and Garry Nelson, PGA of PGA Golf Club, and Tim McKenna, PGA, and Logan Knebels, PGA of Mariner Sands Country Club. Leaderboard
By Chance Bressler May 22, 2026
West Palm Beach, FL – The South Florida PGA Foundation has awarded two $30,000 scholarships to Natalia Conte of Coral Springs and Maria Serrano of Miami as the 2026 SFPGA Foundation Scholarship recipients. Now in its tenth year, a combined $60,000 are given out annually to support South Florida youth with their higher education. The South Florida PGA Foundation Scholarship is a merit-based award created to assist individuals with ties to the South Florida PGA Foundation and to recognize leaders in the local community. Natalia Conte Conte recently graduated from Coral Springs Charter School in Broward County. During her high school career, she was President of the National Honor Society and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, while competing on the varsity golf and flag football teams. Conte shares a passion for journalism and photography which has given her the opportunity to capture the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club and the ANNIKA Pro-Am at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida. She also involved herself with the school’s broadcast program, serving as associate producer and co-anchor for CTV2. In this role, she worked on broadcasts such as “Spotlight,” collaborating with the City of Coral Springs Marketing team to cover local events. This fall, Conte will attend Ave Maria University studying Communications & Theology, with plans to work as a photographer on mission trips. “This will help me share the love I have for helping others, as well as the love I have for journalism,” said Conte. “There is so much power in pictures, and knowing that I have the ability to bring awareness to things going on around the world is such a blessing.” Conte comes from a family with deep roots in the game of golf and the PGA Professional community. She is the daughter of Stephen Conte, PGA, Director of Instruction at Conte’s Golf Academy in Pompano Beach, Florida, and a dedicated South Florida PGA Member since 1995. Her mother, Michele Conte, is also a golf professional and proud LPGA Member, further reflecting the family’s lifelong commitment to the sport. Natalia’s passion for golf and service is also inspired by her late grandfather, John Conte, who was also a PGA Professional. “We are all so happy for Natalia, as she is the glue that holds our family together with her loving and generous heart,” Stephen Conte stated. “She helps us to keep things in proper perspective and makes the simplest things in life great joy.” Regarding her academic future, Conte added, “This scholarship will help me achieve my career goals by providing me with a balanced environment of the highest education, service opportunities, and the training and experience needed to pursue my life and career aspirations.” Maria Serrano Serrano graduated from Pinecrest Glades Academy in Miami, is an active competitor on the SFPGA Junior Tour, and works under John Moscoso, PGA, at the Trump Golf Academy of Miami. At the academy, Serrano coaches youth players in group and individual settings. She also serves as the Social Media Manager for the academy, creating content and managing event promotions and marketing campaigns. “Maria is a natural leader and someone who leads by example and with integrity,” Moscoso said. As Serrano coached and interacted with families, she discovered how meaningful it is to work in an environment that is inspiring. “Golf has become much more than a sport to me; it is the place where I found confidence, purpose, and a sense of belonging,” Serrano said. Serrano will attend St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Florida, where she will be a member of the women’s golf team and study Sports Administration. Upon obtaining her undergraduate degree, she has aspirations of working for the LPGA Tour in hopes to inspire and support future generations of girls golf by creating opportunities for young players to grow both on and off the golf course. “I want to continue giving back to the sport that changed my life and helped shape me into the person I am today,” Serrano explained. The South Florida PGA Foundation will follow both recipients' academic and professional progress in the years ahead. About the South Florida PGA Foundation The South Florida PGA Foundation is a not-for-profit organization founded to support the South Florida community, focusing on youth, military, and families. The South Florida PGA Foundation operates under the direction of the South Florida PGA, a not-for-profit organization of over 1,900 PGA of America Professionals serving as experts in the business and game of golf.
May 12, 2026
Jupiter, Fla. – Justin Hicks, PGA, Teaching Professional at Stonebridge Country Club, fired rounds of 68-66, 10-under to capture the 39th South Florida Senior Open at Jonathan’s Landing Golf Club – Medal Course. The South Florida Senior Open, contested May 11-12, included 78 senior South Florida PGA Professionals competing across five divisions over 36 holes. Hicks entered the final round two shots off the lead after opening with a 4-under-par 68. Roger Kennedy Jr., PGA of The Club at Quail Ridge, and Paul Scaletta, PGA of The Bear’s Club, shared the first-round lead after each carded 6-under-par 66s on Monday. In Tuesday’s final round, Hicks carded a bogey-free 6-under-par 66, highlighted by six birdies, to finish the championship at 10-under-par 134, securing a one-shot victory. Alan Morin, PGA of The Club at Ibis, finished solo in second at 9-under par after posting rounds of 67-68. Kennedy Jr. claimed third place at 8-under par, while Rod Curl, PGA of Crane Watch at Evergreen, finished fourth at 7-under total. Scaletta rounded out the top five at 5-under par. In the age divisions, Bud Lintelman, PGA Life Member, captured the 60-69 division title at 3-under par. Jay Horton, PGA Life Member, won the 70-74 division at 1-under par, while Rick Whitfield, PGA of Loblolly, claimed the 75+ division title at 1-over par. The South Florida PGA extends a special thank you to Jonathan’s Landing Golf Club for hosting this year’s championship, led by PGA Director of Golf Brian Corbitt and PGA Head Professional Jared Werner. Complete results from the 38th South Florida Senior Open Championship can be found below.  CLICK HERE
May 12, 2026
WEST PALM BEACH, FL — The South Florida PGA Foundation, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Okeechobee County, will break ground on a new home Wednesday, May 14, at 10 a.m., marking the 13th Habitat for Humanity home build project. The groundbreaking represents another step toward the Foundation’s goal of building a home in every county of the South Florida PGA Section, including Puerto Rico. The initiative began in 2011 with the construction of the Foundation’s first Habitat home in Lee County. Since then, the South Florida PGA Foundation has partnered with local Habitat for Humanity affiliates throughout the Section to help provide affordable housing opportunities for families in need. The Foundation contributes $50,000 to each project, while PGA Professionals from across South Florida donate more than 250 volunteer hours to assist with construction alongside community volunteers and future homeowners. “For the South Florida PGA Foundation to be partnering with Habitat for Humanity for a 13th home is truly incredible. The impact that is made on these families is life-changing, and that's just one reason why aligning with Habitat is important to the Foundation,” said Lee Stroever, PGA Director of Golf at Emerald Dunes Club and Vice President of the SFPGA Foundation. “After seeing a handful of ‘key presentations’ at the end of a build, you can't help but feel good about what is being accomplished.” Construction on the Okeechobee County home is expected to begin in the fall of 2026. Applications for the future homeowner are anticipated to open during the same timeframe through Habitat for Humanity of Okeechobee County. “Working alongside the families that will be receiving the home is so humbling and rewarding; it’s a program that the Foundation and Section board is very proud of,” said Kevin Murphy, PGA General Manager at McArthur Golf Club and Treasurer of the SFPGA Foundation. The South Florida PGA Foundation’s home-building initiative has expanded throughout the Section over the past 15 years. Each project includes financial support from the Foundation and volunteer participation from PGA Professionals. Habitat for Humanity of St. Lucie and Okeechobee, founded in 1996 as an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, works to provide affordable housing opportunities for families in need throughout the region. The organization partners with families and volunteers to support homeownership opportunities in St. Lucie and Okeechobee counties. For more information about the South Florida PGA Foundation and its charitable initiatives, visit South Florida PGA Foundation.