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.

Palm Beach Gardens, FL - The 2026 South Florida PGA Play Yellow Birdie Bash raised over $539,000, a record-breaking number, through its annual 81-hole marathon to support the South Florida PGA Foundation and the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation. The annual event now in its fifth year features an 81-hole challenge across The Match and The Staple courses at PGA National Resort, where two-person teams compete to make as many birdies as possible. Each birdie is tied to donor pledges, directly contributing to the event’s fundraising total. This year a total of 1,151 birdies were made, also setting a new record. Proceeds from the Birdie Bash benefit the South Florida PGA Foundation and the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation. Funds support youth development programs, military initiatives, scholarships and pediatric health care services, including efforts at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. The event has become one of the South Florida PGA Foundation’s primary fundraisers, generating more than $2 million in the last five years. The 2026 edition continued that trend, with PGA Professionals across the Section participating in both fundraising and on-course competition. Forty-two South Florida PGA members competed in two person teams, combining endurance and performance with charitable outreach. Participants engaged their networks to secure pledges, with fundraising totals linked to birdies made throughout the day. The Birdie Bash format connects competition with fundraising, as scoring directly impacts the amount raised. The event remains a recurring initiative within the South Florida PGA schedule, supporting charitable programs through member participation and donor contributions. Donations will be accepted through Friday, April 10th. Please click here to see the event leaderboard and or to make a donation.

March 18, 2026

“When you get an opportunity, take full advantage of it,” Tyler Nagy said. “If you're not taking advantage of every single opportunity that's given to you, then it’s a wasted opportunity.” That philosophy has guided Tyler Nagy since he was named the first recipient of the South Florida PGA Foundation Scholarship in 2018. The scholarship gave him the chance to pursue his education at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, and focus fully on making the most of his college experience. A valedictorian at Sebastian River High School in Vero Beach, Florida, Nagy had already demonstrated a strong commitment to academics, athletics, and service. The son of PGA Member Bela Nagy, Director of Golf at Sandridge Golf Club in Vero Beach, Florida, he was a natural fit for the scholarship and arrived at Rollins in the fall of 2018, determined to seize every opportunity. Between 2018 and 2021, Nagy earned multiple undergraduate degrees, including a primary degree in mathematics, a secondary degree in public policy, and a minor in data analytics. He remained at Rollins to complete his Master of Business Administration, graduating in 2023 at the top of his class. He was equally committed on the field. A five-year member of the Rollins men’s soccer team, Nagy played in 63 matches and served as captain in his final season, helping lead the program to an Elite Eight appearance — just the third in school history. Off the field, he served on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and worked as both a tutor and writing advisor. For Nagy, success meant going beyond the minimum. “I tried to do everything I could do academically and athletically,” he shared. “I never wanted to look back and wish I had worked harder.” Attending a private institution came with financial considerations, and Nagy acknowledges that without the South Florida PGA Foundation Scholarship, institutional aid, and Florida’s Bright Futures Scholarship, Rollins may not have been possible. “It was the difference between carrying debt for years and graduating from my undergrad debt-free,” he said. “It opened up an avenue that I never thought was there.” Today, Nagy is pursuing another graduate degree at the Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering, completing a master’s program in data science. The degree builds on his professional work in healthcare analytics, where he has advanced from his company’s first data analyst into a leadership role overseeing analytics strategy and decision-making. From scholarship recipient to graduate student and analytics leader, Nagy’s journey reflects the belief that opportunity only matters if you choose to embrace it. Over the years, the South Florida PGA Foundation has supported nine students in their pursuit of higher education, and the program continues to grow. In 2026, the Foundation increased its scholarship to two $30,000 awards, annually impacting the lives of students in the community.

FRISCO, Texas (February 9, 2025) - PGA of America Golf Professional Jeff Gullett, the Chief of Athletics and Director of Golf at Boca Woods Country Club in Boca Raton, Fla., has earned PGA Master Professional status, the highest education designation available through the Association. Backed by more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals within the PGA of America, Gullett, a Member of the South Florida Section PGA, joins a special group as the 479th PGA Member to earn Master Professional status. He achieved his designation in Golf Operations. “Becoming a PGA Master Professional is the culmination of lifelong learning,” said Gullett. “It’s a momentous achievement for me and my family, and it places me in a position within this business that very few people reach. This is a lifelong achievement because it’s been a lifelong journey. It’s really special.” The PGA Master Professional program was established in 1969 to recognize PGA of America Members who make a significant effort to improve as Golf Professionals and maintain the highest degree of excellence for themselves and their facilities. The curriculum is designed to ensure Golf Professionals are prepared to meet the growing demands of the marketplace within the Executive Management, Golf Operations and Teaching and Coaching Designations. The PGA Master Professional program is available to individuals with at least 10 years of PGA of America Membership along with having achieved advanced certification through the PGA Specialized and Certified Professional Programs. The curriculum includes an extensive project based on the specific certification previously acquired by the PGA of America Golf Professional. PGA Master Professional status is earned upon successful completion of the project’s presentation. A PGA of America Golf Professional for over 20 years, Gullett advanced from Assistant Professional roles to Head Professional at Bocaire Country Club, where he served for 12 years. He was named Director of Golf at Boca Woods in 2022. Throughout his career, Gullett has overseen all aspects of golf operations, including merchandising, budgeting, finance, payroll and overall business performance. In addition to earning the PGA Master Professional designation, Gullett is American Development Model (ADM) certified and a member of the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA). He holds an MBA from Florida Atlantic University and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Oklahoma. Gullett resides in Boca Raton, Florida, with his wife Vanessa and their two children, Kay’den and Chloe. About the PGA of America The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals who love the game, are expert coaches, operators and business leaders, and work daily to drive interest, inclusion and participation in the sport. The PGA of America owns and operates numerous championships and events, including major championships for men, women, seniors and the Ryder Cup, one of the world’s foremost sporting events. For more information, visit PGA.com and follow us on X, Instagram and Facebook.

The PGA of America announced its 2026 National Award Recipients at the 73rd PGA Show in Orlando, Florida. The awards class is headlined by PGA of America Golf Professional of the Year Brian Crowell ; PGA of America Teacher & Coach of the Year Bernie Najar ; and PGA of America Golf Executive of the Year Sean Palmer. The Association annually recognizes 13 award recipients for their extraordinary accomplishments and efforts within the golf industry, standing out among more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals. “Our 2026 PGA of America Award recipients are shining examples of the passion, leadership and service that define our Association,” said PGA of America President and Master Professional Don Rea. “To be recognized among more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals is truly impressive. These 13 honorees have dedicated themselves to elevating the game of golf and enriching the lives of those in their communities. Their commitment to the game inspires all of us, and it is a privilege to celebrate their remarkable achievements this year.” South Florida PGA Professional and General Manager at The Links of Boynton Beach, Bo Preston, was recognized as the 2026 Patriot Award Recipient for his exceptional dedication and patriotism through golf, particularly serving veterans.

WEST PALM BEACH, FL - For Cameron Young and Justin Thomas, whose strong pairing at the 2025 Ryder Cup was preceded by the special memories they gleaned from separate appearances in the Junior Ryder Cup, there was the opportunity to pay it forward to the young golfers of today. This winter, for 24 talented juniors, such largesse on behalf of Young and Thomas will provide them with a riveting competition that begins with the inaugural playing of the Cameron Young/Justin Thomas South Florida PGA Junior Tour Challenge Cup. Captained by Young and Thomas, this two-day Ryder Cup-style event will feature two teams of 12 players each (eight boys and four girls), and will be held at Emerald Dunes Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. There will be 27 holes of team play on the first day -- 9 holes using the Four-Ball or Best-Ball format; 9 holes utilizing the Scramble format; and 9 holes of Modified Alternate Shot. Twelve 18-hole singles matches will be contested on the final day of competition. The first team to reach 12 1/2 points will claim the Junior Challenge Cup. "Both Justin and I are sons of PGA of America Professionals, so it's really important for us to give back to a new generation of kids," said Young, whose father, David, was the longtime PGA Head Professional at Sleepy Hollow Country Club in Scarborough, New York. In the 2014 Junior Ryder Cup, Cameron Young contributed to a U.S. victory in Scotland. Last September, in his Ryder Cup debut, Young tied for the most individual points earned among the Americans, who fell short to the Europeans on the Black Course at Bethpage State Park in his home state. Cameron Young and Justin Thomas teamed to win one of their two matches at Bethpage, and both captured their singles matches in dramatic fashion on the last day of the matches. Thomas, a two-time winner of the PGA Championship, was on the victorious American side in the 2010 Junior Ryder Cup, also played in Scotland. As is the case with David Young helping shape his son's skills, Thomas has worked closely over the years with his father, PGA of America Professional Mike Thomas. Justin Thomas's late grandfather, Paul, also was a PGA Professional. "Cameron and I had such a great partnership together at the Ryder Cup, and we looked at what we could do with this incredible opportunity through the PGA of America," Thomas said. "With both of us having family associated with the PGA of America, this runs in our blood. I'm excited that Cameron and I can do this together." Building on Thomas’ remarks, leadership from the South Florida PGA emphasized the event’s significance for junior golf in the region. "The South Florida PGA is thrilled to announce this exciting, new event and our partnership with Cameron Young and Justin Thomas," said Eric Veilleux, President of the South Florida PGA and the PGA Director of Golf at The Bear's Club in Jupiter, Florida. "This will be a premier event in junior golf, offering an exciting and competitive playing opportunity for some of the most talented juniors in our Section." Renowned golf course architect Tom Fazio designed Emerald Dunes in 1990 and oversaw renovations to the par-72 layout that were completed in 2012 "We at Emerald Dunes are truly honored to host the inaugural Cameron Young/Justin Thomas South Florida PGA Junior Challenge Cup," said Lee Stroever, the PGA Director of Golf at Emerald Dunes Club and the South Florida PGA Junior Golf Committee Chairperson."We are thrilled to welcome the best juniors in the Section for an experience that they will hopefully long remember and cherish." Eager for the inaugural event, Thomas is both proud to have paid forward the types of competitive opportunities that once came his way as a junior golfer and respectful of the level of talent that will be on display at Emerald Dunes. "I look forward to watching," Thomas said, "and, I'm sure at some point, playing against a lot of these players down the road." Click here to view all criteria and more event details.

FRISCO, Texas (Jan. 13, 2026) ー The PGA of America is proud to announce its 2025 Players of the Year, with Ben Polland (Jackson, Wyoming), Sandra Changkija (Daytona Beach, Florida) and Justin Hicks (Wellington, Florida) earning their respective PGA Professional, Women’s PGA Professional and Senior PGA Professional Player of the Year Awards presented by Rolex. PGA Professional Player of the Year Award Ben Polland, the PGA Director of Golf at Shooting Star of Jackson Hole in Teton Village, Wyoming, made the most of the PGA TOUR exemptions that came with his 2024 PGA Professional Championship victory. The 35-year-old made four cuts at the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches (T-62), Puerto Rico Open (T-70), Corales Puntacana Championship (T-53) and Barracuda Championship (T-23). “Those starts are really fun to get back and play competitively,” said Polland. “I had the right mindsight the whole time. My mentality was better compared to the time when I was trying to play full time. I knew my job was back at Shooting Star and they were really supportive and great to me. I was comfortable with where I was at in my life, recently getting married, loving my job and good golf came a little easier to me.” Polland also posted a T-35 finish in the 2025 PGA Professional Championship at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida. His success at the Section level continued when he shot 6-under-par 138 to win by three and repeat as Rocky Mountain PGA Section Champion at The Valley Club in Sun Valley, Idaho. He won Rocky Mountain PGA Player of the Year for the second straight year and third time in his career. As the new year begins, Polland has turned his focus to the 2026 PGA Professional Championship at Bandon Dunes in April and the PGA Cup, which will take place at The K Club in Ireland in September. “This year being at Bandon, which is one of my favorite places on earth, I’m definitely going to enjoy that,” said Polland. “We’re going to be working really hard and having all the focus on that. The other part is this being the second year of the PGA Cup points cycle. I know how to get on the team. It’s pretty cut and dry, you have to play well and earn your way. I need to go out and play well and try to hopefully travel to Ireland with the team.” Polland totaled 1,048 points to win his second consecutive PGA Professional Player of the Year Award. He is the ninth PGA of America Golf Professional to win back-to-back POY awards. Michael Block (Mission Viejo, Calif.) finished second with 687.5 points, followed by Andre Chi (Queens, N.Y.) in third with 640 points and Dylan Newman (Stamford, Conn.) in fourth at 635. Women’s PGA Professional Player of the Year Award Sandra Changkija, PGA/LPGA Assistant Professional at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, Florida, delivered yet another solid season in 2025, finishing with 917.5 points to win her second career Women’s PGA Professional Player of the Year Award (2022). Changkija is the second two-time winner of the Award (Stephanie Connelly Eiswerth, 2023-24). “It’s great to win another Player of the Year award,” said Changkija. “I had a really good year. I know it doesn’t contribute to winning Player of the Year, but winning the Assistant PPC was pretty cool. I’m always trying to improve and stay ahead of the game.” Changkija, a 16-time winner at Nova Southeastern University, finished runner-up in the Women’s Stroke Play Championship at the PGA Winter Championships in February. In April, she appeared in her third PGA Professional Championship, shooting 71–73-72-74 en route to a T-35 finish at PGA Golf Club. Changkija made her ninth start in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship last June, playing as a member of the Corebridge Financial Team at Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco. Her T-6 performance (3-under 213) at the 2025 LPGA Professionals Championship secured a spot in the 2026 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club. Changkija made history in November when she became the first woman to win the Assistant PGA Professional Championship, registering a final-round 72 to finish at 8-under-par 280 and win by five. Additionally, Changkija captured North Florida PGA Player of the Year and Women’s Player of the Year honors. She won the NFPGA Section and Women’s Section Championship in August after shooting 18-under-par 198 at Streamsong Resort. Stephanie Connelly Eiswerth (Fleming Island, Fla.) finished second in the Women’s PGA Professional Player of the Year race with 600 points, followed by Ashley Grier (Port St. Lucie, Fla.) in third at 568.5 and Kim Paez (Frisco, Texas) in fourth at 460. Senior PGA Professional Player of the Year Award Justin Hicks enjoyed a standout 2025 as the PGA Teaching Professional at Stonebridge Country Club in Boca Raton, Florida, and claimed his first Senior PGA Professional Player of the Year honor. The South Florida PGA Member totalled 845.83 points, narrowly finishing ahead of Bob Sowards (Powell, Ohio), who finished second with 734.30 points. Mick Smith (Summit, Wis.) was third with 522.30 points followed by Alan Morin (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) in fourth with 431.50. “It’s certainly a tremendous honor because there’s not many times in your life where you’re able to be in that type of position no matter who you are competing against,” said Hicks. “There are so many good players out there. “I think our section is definitely a very competitive section and having to beat the young guys down here year round in an effort to win our points race, it pushes me all the more. Our section is a big part of that. I’ve got a 14-year-old son, Owen, who is trying to chase me down so that’s a big part of my motivation, too.” The 51-year-old Hicks recorded a T-9 finish at the PGA Professional Championship in April en route to a spot in the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club as a member of the Corebridge Financial Team. After competing in the U.S. Open at Oakmont in June, Hicks won the Senior PGA Professional Championship in October at PGA Golf Club, where he shot a final-round 1-under-par 71 to finish at 8-under-par 280 and win by one. Hicks collected his second consecutive South Florida PGA Player of the Year title after posting top-10 finishes in all four Section majors. “I’ve got a really good network of people I work with,” said Hicks. “I'm always trying to think that my best golf is ahead of me. I’m looking forward to the chance at qualifying for majors again this year. I’m looking forward to playing my first senior major at the Senior PGA. There are so many firsts that are still coming. It’s a very exciting time because I’m playing more golf than ever.”

As a junior in high school attending a family reunion, Nicole Triano, PGA, and her father made a spontaneous stop at Latrobe Country Club in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, to browse the golf shop. Unexpectedly, the visit turned into a defining moment when they crossed paths with legendary golfer Arnold Palmer. When Triano shared her dream of becoming a PGA Professional, Palmer smiled and offered his signature thumbs up—a brief interaction that left a lasting impression. Nearly a decade later, that moment comes full circle as Triano, now an Assistant Golf Professional at Wilderness Country Club in Naples, Florida, is named the 2025 South Florida PGA Deacon Palmer Award recipient. The award honors the legacy of Palmer’s father, Deacon Palmer, and recognizes PGA Professionals who demonstrate perseverance, service, and dedication to the game while overcoming personal adversity. “To be presented with an award carrying the Palmer name is a huge honor,” Triano said. “It doesn’t feel like it was earned alone. It reflects the people and the PGA community that lifted me up.” Raised in Westchester, New York, Triano was a multi-sport athlete before discovering golf at a young age. What began as reluctance quickly became a passion that would shape her future. “I grew up playing a lot of sports—soccer, basketball, softball,” Triano said. “They introduced golf to me at Yorktown Athletic Club in Yorktown Heights, New York, and I immediately said, ‘no’. My dad told me, ‘Just give it a try,’ and after that first clinic, I fell in love.” As Triano began to envision a career in golf during high school, her path took an unexpected turn in her junior year when her health rapidly declined. Once a competitive athlete, she suddenly struggled with everyday physical demands. Triano was diagnosed with Dysautonomia, a disorder affecting the autonomic nervous system. Facing uncertainty about graduating high school, she leaned heavily on the support of her family and mentor Skip Marini, her golf coach and an Assistant Golf Professional at Mohansic Golf Course in Yorktown Heights, New York. With their encouragement, Triano persevered, graduating high school and continuing her education. She enrolled in the Professional Golf Management program at Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where she encountered additional challenges. The heat intensified her symptoms, and the physical demands of the Playing Ability Test (PAT) posed significant obstacles. With perseverance and the support of the university staff, Triano ultimately passed the PAT and graduated. “The staff embraced me and were willing to work with me,” Triano said. “Eventually, I passed my playing ability test and went on to become a PGA Professional.” Triano began her professional career in 2021 at Wilderness Country Club in Naples under PGA Director of Golf Sara Dickson. There, she found a supportive environment that allowed her to contribute meaningfully while prioritizing her health. She remains at the facility today, playing an integral role in daily operations and member engagement. “Sara Dickson took a chance on me,” Triano said. “She, my teammates, and the membership have been absolutely fantastic, and we’ve been able to carve out a plan that allows me to still give back through the game of golf.” At Wilderness, Triano is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere, particularly for members facing physical limitations of their own. Her personal journey has shaped a leadership style grounded in empathy, adaptability, and service.  Triano’s story exemplifies the spirit of the Deacon Palmer Award, which honors those who persevere through adversity while uplifting others. Through resilience, service, and a deep commitment to the game, she continues to inspire golfers and PGA Professionals throughout the South Florida PGA Section.