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By Morgan Nichol 28 Mar, 2024
Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (March 27, 2024 ) – The South Florida Play Yellow Birdie Bash returns to PGA National Resort on Monday, April 15, to benefit Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation and the South Florida PGA Foundation (SFPGA). Fifty PGA of America professionals will embark on an 81-hole challenge on The Match and The Staple courses at PGA National, and attempt to make as many birdies as possible in a doubles golf team format. Each birdie is backed by donor pledges with a goal of raising $500,000. The funds raised serve to further the missions of the SFPGA Foundation and Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation in support of Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. The Play Yellow Birdie Bash fundraisers have had a tangible and positive impact on the lives of individuals throughout the South Florida community. This unique event has raised more than $900,000 for these impactful charities in its first two years of existence. In the past two years, the SFPGA Foundation has granted free golf lessons to more than 600 military personnel, granted $40,000 to support students in higher education, and provided smiles to more than 1,000 children going through a range of hardships at six medical facilities. The South Florida PGA Foundation is a not-for-profit dedicated to serving the South Florida community and changing lives through the game of golf. The SFPGA Foundation administers a diverse set of programs that use golf to enhance the lives of local military personnel, children, and families. Jack and Barbara Nicklaus founded the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation in 2004 to provide world-class pediatric care to children in Palm Beach County and beyond. The Foundation’s primary beneficiary is Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, which has helped children from every state in the union and 119 countries. Celebrating its 20th year, the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation has raised $200 million to advance and enhance health care for children locally and globally. Back-to-back PGA champions Eric Veilleux and Ryan Fountain, who are representing The Bear’s Club, will return to the field this year. Veilleux and Fountain have raised a cumulative amount of $168,750 over the past two years of the event. To support the South Florida Play Yellow Birdie Bash, click here . To learn more about how to get involved, contact Brianna Alonso, SFPGA Foundation Manager, at balonso@pgahq.com . MEDIA CONTACT Chelsea Casagrande Venue Marketing Group (561) 844-1778, ext. 120 chelsea@venueadv.com
By Morgan Nichol 25 Mar, 2024
Founded on the basis of Fun, The Mirasol Fun Group has made golf more affordable and accessible for more than 100 South Florida PGA Junior Tour members. What began more than 20 years ago as a group of members at The Country Club at Mirasol who banded together to secure tee times, play golf and establish new relationships, The Fun Group has evolved into much more. Through its partnership with the South Florida PGA Foundation, The Fun Group established the Mirasol Assistance Fund in 2009 to serve the community through golf. “When I first met Meredith Schuler [SFPGA Assistant Executive Director] and heard the story of the Foundation, I was overwhelmed by the need to do something, and our organization, The Fun Group, had funds that we felt could be beneficial to the Foundation,” recalled Arthur Rosen, founding member of The Fun Group. The South Florida PGA Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the south Florida community and changing the lives of youth, military and families through the game of golf. With the aid of the SFPGA Foundation, the Mirasol Assistance Fund aims to financially support junior golfers in south Florida who have a desire to participate in the game of golf, but don’t have the means to do so. Juniors apply for the scholarship annually, and, if approved, receive a reduced entry fee into SFPGA Junior Tour, presented by Callaway and Toptracer tournaments. The Fun Group funds cover the remaining amount of the player's entry. The SFPGA Junior Tour has a membership of more than 1,200 junior golfers ages 6-18 and conducts more than 100 tournaments annually at some of south Florida’s most prestigious golf courses. In its first year, the Mirasol Assistance Fund collected $3,500 to support nine Junior Tour members with 30 tournament entries. “We donate small sums,” explained Rosen. “But they add up and make an impact in the end.” Since the inception of the Mirasol Assistance Fund, The Fun Group has donated nearly $100,000 to the SFPGA Foundation, supporting over 100 Junior Tour members to play in more than 340 events. Of the Junior Tour members that the Assistance Fund has helped, several have gone on to play golf at the collegiate level, a dream that might not have been possible without the generosity of Rosen, along with additional founding Fun Group partners Larry Feit, Matt and Dee Simpson. As The Fun Group celebrates its 20th season, its charitable support continues to impact children and junior golf. The Fun Group is a shining example of how community, compassion and the love of golf can come together to create lasting change. Click here to get involved with the Foundation and help us continue our mission of changing lives through the game of golf. Click here to make a donation.
09 Mar, 2024
West Palm Beach, FL - South Florida PGA Member and PGA Assistant Professional at John’s Island Club, Tyler Collet, made the cut at the 2024 Puerto Rico Open after carding a 3-under second round to put him at 4-under total. “It means I can do this,” said Collet. “It just gives more confidence.” Collet, the reigning back-to-back South Florida PGA Rolex Player of the Year, is the first Section Member to make a cut in a PGA TOUR event since Alan Morin, PGA, at the 2008 Honda Classic. With tough conditions in round one, play was suspended due to inclement weather on Collet’s sixth hole at Grand Reserve Country Club. After nearly a two-hour delay, play was resumed, but Collet only managed to get through 13 holes and was forced to finish his opening round at 7:20 Friday morning. With an already early starting time in round two scheduled for Friday, Collet combined for 23 holes played on Friday. The 28-year-old, West Virginia native was on the second leg of consecutive PGA TOUR starts, narrowly missing the cut last week at the Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches. On Saturday, Collet climbed up the leaderboard as high as tied for 39th place thanks to a 4-under day and an 8-under total to finish round three. Collet finished his week with a four-over 76 on Sunday and finished in a tie for 68th place. Also competing in the Puerto Rico Open was Domenico Geminiani, Assistant Professional at Old Corkscrew Golf Club who earned a spot in the field after winning the 2023 Michelob Ultra Golf Tour. Geminiani finished the week at even par.
By Matt De Tullio 28 Feb, 2024
West Palm Beach, FL - The 2024 Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches will mark the fifth career PGA TOUR start for Tyler Collet, PGA Assistant Professional at John’s Island Club in Vero Beach, Florida. Elected to PGA of America Membership in 2018, the Eastern Kentucky Professional Golf Management graduate has since solidified himself as one of the best players in the South Florida PGA Section, already winning two South Florida PGA Professional Championships and is currently the back-to-back SFPGA Player of the Year. At 28 years of age, Collet, originally from West Virginia, made his first career TOUR start at the 2021 Puerto Rico Open, followed by the 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island. Since then, Collet has made at least one TOUR start a year, including the 2023 Honda Classic.  While Collet continues to showcase his talent on the course, he still serves as a full-time Assistant Professional for a facility that boasts three championship-level courses. With the support and guidance of Steve Hudson, PGA Director of Golf, the two have effectively managed Collet’s playing aspirations while serving as a valuable member of the Professional staff. A typical day for Collet consists of arriving at the golf course around 6:00 a.m. to help the outside operations staff before clocking out for the day at 2:00 p.m. Thanks to Hudson's support, Collet then uses the rest of the day to fine-tune his game. The 2024 Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches at PGA National will again be a home event for Collet as several John’s Island members and employees will follow him throughout the week. While Collet prepares for Thursday, he will have very little time to waste before making his sixth career PGA TOUR start the following week at the Puerto Rico Open, courtesy of his 2023 South Florida PGA Professional Championship victory. For Collet, this was never necessarily part of the plan when coming out of college as a Class-A PGA Member. “Until about a year and a half ago, I was solely focused on being a Club Pro, working my way up to being a Head Professional, Director of Golf or Teaching Pro, whatever the avenue was, that was the end goal,” Collet said. When asked what changed in his game to allow him to become so successful as a player, Collet credited “self-belief.” That self-belief has turned into incredible experiences, and Collet could not be more thankful for the PGA of America and the South Florida PGA for giving him the opportunity to showcase to the world the abilities of a PGA Member. “I wouldn't be where I am without the PGA of America, and I'm extremely grateful,” Collet explained. “It's a really, really nice perk of being in the South Florida Section to be able to get into these events.” As far as Collet’s outlook on his career moving forward, his new end goal is to obtain full status on the TOUR. “I want to play full-time, that's my goal,” Collet explained. “My goal is to get full status somewhere and kind of run with it.”
By Matt De Tullio 27 Feb, 2024
Standing on the tee as a starter for the first time as a Tennessee PGA Section Intern, JoAnna Ehret, PGA, faced a challenging situation. The event's title sponsors are due on the tee, but they are late. The 23-year-old Ehret, familiar with the rules, welcomes the group and informs them they will be assessed a two-stroke penalty for their tardiness. Unbothered, the group proceeded to tee off and virtually ignored Ehret. Worried she may have misstepped, Ehret informed her boss of the situation, only to be reassured that she did the right thing. Later at scoring, the group told Ehret's boss that she was wrong and didn’t know what she was talking about. Ehert's boss responded, "she is absolutely right; she did the right thing, and you have a two-stroke penalty." At that moment, Ehret, now Lead of Championship Administration for the PGA of America, gained the confidence she needed and the reassurance that she belonged. "I know what I'm doing, I can do this," Ehret recalled telling herself. "No matter what anybody else thinks, I can do it." A Minnesota native and a talented junior golfer, Ehret competed on her high school golf team as a middle schooler, assuming the captain's position by the time she was a freshman. Her talents took her to Western Kentucky University on a full academic and athletic scholarship. Her eyes were set on pursuing professional golf until a back injury during her junior year halted her playing career. Still incredibly passionate about the game, Ehret knew she had to do something in the industry. Her first opportunity came as an intern with the Tennessee PGA, then the Tennessee Golf Association, before eventually earning her first full-time position with the South Florida PGA. "I had a background in tournament administration but was open to learning everything about the golf industry and all the different paths I could take," she explained. While at the Section office, Ehret had her hands in nearly every aspect of operations. From tournament operations, growth of the game, and communications, it allowed her to find what she truly enjoyed most. "I fell in love with tournament operations and the connections you make with the members, and I loved it," Ehret said. With her passion in mind, Ehret had the opportunity to move to the green grass side of the industry at Trump International Golf Club - West Palm Beach. This move allowed her a unique opportunity to continue building her network while running all member outings and events. During this time in 2014, Ehret entered the PGA Associate Program, figuring the best way to serve the members was to be one herself. "I want to know what they do on a daily basis, what kind of knowledge they need so that I could better help them do what they need to do," she said. While her time at Trump was beneficial and a great learning experience, Ehret quickly realized that amateur events were not necessarily her passion. Ehret noticed a position available at the PGA of America headquarters, and as she read the job description, she thought, "this is literally my dream job." Ehret was offered the position and started at the PGA of America Headquarters in 2016 as the Member Championships Coordinator before moving to Senior Member Championship Coordinator and eventually Lead of Championship Administration, the position she currently holds. The feeling Ehret had when she first read the job description is still true after seven years. "I have loved every minute of it," Ehret said, smiling. "It's exhausting and a lot of work, but when you're working with an amazing team for a shared goal like that, and then to see it all come to fruition in a major championship is pretty awesome." Exhausting may be an understatement in this case. Ehret runs 14 Championships from November through February, including all PGA Tournament and Winter Series events at PGA Golf Club and all PGA Professional Championships. That is not all; Ehret plays a critical role in all Major Championships run by the PGA of America, including the Ryder Cup. In 2021, Ehret experienced a full circle moment at the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, as she was responsible for marking the entire golf course and played an integral role in all course setup and preparation. For some, that may not register as much, but when you are responsible for properly preparing a golf course for the sport's most recognized and viewed event, the pressure is at an all-time high. "It was exhausting and terrifying but something I will never forget," Ehret said. As Ehret continues to excel and grow in her career, challenges often arise as a female in a historically prominent male industry and especially as someone running events for males. When asked what has allowed her to shine through adversity, Ehret's most significant advice is to prove yourself through your actions. "You just have to have thick skin, and you can't let it bother you," she explained. "You just have to prove and show through your actions, product, and productivity that you are fully capable. You have to go out there and show it to them."
By Morgan Nichol 23 Feb, 2024
Every Thursday afternoon, Pesacov leads the program at Quantum House, a healthcare facility where families come to stay while their children undergo treatment for a critical illness or injury. “The most rewarding part for me is the continuity with the kids,” explained Pesacov. “Most of the kids that I come into contact with have lifelong disabilities that require them to make return visits and spend extended time at the facility. You get to know the families, so it becomes more personal.” Smiling Fore Life is offered at six locations across south Florida, including Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Quantum House, Palm Beach Children’s Hospital, and Valerie’s House. “I enjoy seeing the kids return years later as healthy teenagers,” said Pesacov. “They often attribute their love for the game to Smiling Fore Life.”
By Matt De Tullio 31 Jan, 2024
"We are in the happiness business, and I have kept the members happy for all these years. That's how you stick around." For over 30 years, Tim McKenna, PGA, has dedicated his career to Mariner Sands Country Club, where he started in outside operations before eventually advancing to Director of Golf, the position he has held for well over a decade. After graduating from Providence College with a business degree, McKenna decided to pick up the game of golf with his dad. As a former hockey player, the switch was natural. Born and raised in Rhode Island, McKenna worked in the bag room at his local facility, Wannamoisett Country Club. After that first season, McKenna began looking for winter work in Florida. Several members at Wannamoisett were also members at Mariner Sands and connected him with Chuck Knebels, PGA, the Director of Golf at the time. After four seasons and keen on the membership at Mariner Sands, Knebels brought McKenna in full-time as an Assistant in 1992. A year later, McKenna finished the associate program to become a Class-A PGA Member and set himself up for a successful future in the industry. As an Assistant, McKenna focused on lessons where he expanded his customer service knowledge and fostered a relationship with numerous members. After three years, McKenna was promoted Head Professional - a strategic move by Knebels to build McKenna’s resume for future roles. With five years as Head Professional under his belt, facilities began to contact McKenna with opportunities, several close to his hometown in Rhode Island. "It's always five years of Head Pro experience, and as soon as that happened, I started getting opportunities," he explained. "So I was actually going to leave." At the same time, Knebels accepted a new position in Georgia which allowed McKenna to take over the Director of Golf role, making his decision to stay at Mariner Sands an easy one. Now, McKenna has spent over 17 years as Director of Golf and nearly 35 years at Mariner Sands, witnessing four clubhouse renovations, two renovations on both golf courses, and is currently undergoing a complete clubhouse renovation. McKenna credits relationships and respect when asked what has been the key driving force to staying for so many years. McKenna is fearless in leading by example. "I've done virtually every single position there is in the business, and that helps me with relationships with my employees; I can relate to everything they do," he said. "So I don't think twice about hopping in the picker; I am just going to get it done." The "get it done" attitude trickles down to the rest of the team, as McKenna's management style is simple. "Keep learning because there is always a better way to do something and treat others how you would want to be treated,” he said. McKenna is thankful to have several PGA Members mentor his career, with none more important than Knebels. Now, as a veteran in the field, McKenna is playing a key mentor role for Knebel's son, Logan, the current Head Professional and member of McKenna's Professional staff since 2019. As someone who did not take the traditional route to becoming a PGA Member, McKenna is proud of his success throughout his career and looks to instill those same values of humbleness and respect to the next generation of PGA Members.
By Jackie Hobson 28 Jan, 2024
VERO BEACH, FL - Steve Hudson, PGA Director of Golf at John’s Island Club has been awarded the 2023 South Florida PGA Professional Development Award. The PGA Professional Development Award recognizes a professional who provides outstanding and continuous contributions in developing and improving education opportunities for the PGA Professional. “It has been an honor to have a platform to impact so many PGA Professionals,” said Hudson. “My goal each day is to impact as many team members and members at John’s Island Club through the game of golf.” In his role as Director of Golf at John’s Island Club in Vero Beach, Hudson employs 20-30 PGA-affiliated Professionals to support the golf operation each year. Hudson works to help each member of his team continue to grow and develop so that when they leave John’s Island, they are in a position to maximize their skills as their career progresses. This staffing approach has been modeled by other facilities in the Section and nation, creating countless opportunities for the PGA Professional or associate to benefit and enhance their careers. Under Hudson’s leadership and through prioritizing each person as an individual on their career journey, John’s Island has developed Head Professionals, Directors of Instructions, Lead Assistants and elite PGA of America Playing Professionals. In addition to his dedication to his facility, Hudson serves as Vice President for the Southeast Chapter and has volunteered at the Chapter and Section level for the last 10 years, inspiring and impacting PGA Professionals throughout south Florida. Hudson also organizes educational programs for the Professionals in the Indian River Community to help address important, relevant and career-advancing topics in today’s golf business. Hudson was presented with his award today during a celebration in front of colleagues, members and family at John’s Island Club. Click here for a full list of award winners.
By Matt De Tullio 25 Jan, 2024
West Palm Beach, FL - Morgan Jewell, PGA Head Professional at Floridian National Golf Club was named the 2024 PGA of America Merchandiser of the Year - Private Category, yesterday at the 71st PGA Show. The award recognizes PGA of America Golf Professionals who have excelled in business and merchandising in the promotion of golf. In all, 13 Award recipients were recognized at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on the PGA of America Industry Stage presented by CapTech. “Our 2024 PGA of America Award recipients have dedicated their lives to helping countless individuals enjoy this game we all love, and they do it exceptionally well,” said PGA of America President John Lindert, PGA Director of Golf at the Country Club of Lansing in Lansing, Michigan. “I have had the opportunity to get to know several of our winners over the years and they truly are a great representation of what our more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals do on a daily basis. To stand out among their peers is an incredible achievement.” Jewell, the South Florida PGA Section Merchandiser of The Year - Private (2018) and a three-time Association of Golf Merchandisers Platinum Award Winner while in the Massachusetts PGA Section (2010, 2011, 2012), has been with Floridian National Golf Club since 2015. He also helps manage merchandise at the Houston Open on the PGA Tour, as well as the retail store in Minute Maid Park where he manages all Houston Astros golf products. Throughout his professional career, Jewell has created a four-point merchandising philosophy: Attention to detail, communication, creativity and personal touch. His main goal is to create an environment and retail experience that customers can only get at Floridian National Golf Club. Jewell is the 10th South Florida PGA Member to be recognized on the National level with an annual award. The most recent being in 2021 when Tom Wildenhaus, PGA Director of Golf at Olde Florida Golf Club was named the Golf Professional of the Year.
By Morgan Nichol 19 Jan, 2024
“Okay, let’s get it done then.” These were Craig Perna’s words when the idea of the South Florida PGA Foundation first floated across the SFPGA boardroom. Perna, a successful businessman in south Florida, developed many golf communities in the area and knew what it would take to build something from scratch. “I had the ability within the communities I was developing to get them done and get them done the right way,” Perna recalled. While developing these communities, including The Country Club at Mirasol and Addison Reserve, Perna first met the late Don Beattie, PGA Director of Golf at Country Club at Mirasol and past Section President. Beattie was instrumental in Perna’s initial involvement with the Section in the mid-90s as an Advisory Board Member. Beattie prompted Perna’s involvement with the Section due to his industry experience and business savvy, which was no different when the Foundation received its charter in 2004. “Without Craig’s efforts, I am really not sure that our Foundation would have survived as an entity,” former Executive Director Kevin Marrone said at the time. “He provided the Section with his superior knowledge about the business of golf.” At first, the concept was simple - give back to the community through the game of golf. For nearly 20 years, this mission has been carried out by enhancing the lives of youth, families and military, on and off the golf course. “At the time, I was the Project Director for The Country Club at Mirasol and Addison Reserve Country Club and was able to coordinate outings to help generate monetary support, which helped to jumpstart what is now the SFPGA Foundation,” explained Perna. Since its inception, the Foundation has impacted over 13,500 individuals through the game of golf, with over $740,000 annually spent on programming. “What started with my relationship with Don [Beattie] grew into something very enjoyable and rewarding on a personal level because the Foundation was a way we could give back to the community through the game I love,” said Perna. Perna served on the Section’s Advisory Board and the Foundation Board for over a decade and was inducted into the SFPGA Hall of Fame in 2006. In January of 2023, the SFPGA opened its new headquarters at The Park West Palm, where Perna helped establish the Don E. Beattie Past Presidents’ Room in remembrance of Beattie. “Don Beattie, to me, was an extraordinary, gentle, highly professional individual, and I didn’t want his name to be forgotten. I wanted a place where Don Beattie’s legacy would be known because he loved his profession and he loved the South Florida PGA.” The idea of a charitable foundation that Perna helped bring to fruition in the SFPGA boardroom 20 years ago has exceeded all expectations. With the assistance of the SFPGA Foundation’s various fundraising events, donations from the community, and dedicated PGA Professionals, the South Florida PGA intends to endow all Foundation programming to make golf more than just a game for years to come.
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