PGA Master Professional Kevin Compare, who brought us Divot the Clown, preps during a Pandemic for a Cross-Country Bike Ride to benefit Charities

For 36 years, PGA Master Professional Kevin Compare has made it his mission to go the extra mile to entertain audiences as golf's premier left-handed trick shot artist.

He's a guy who keeps orthopedic surgeons in business by smashing a golf ball while doing the splits. He's performed more than 1,700 exhibitions spanning 46 states and nine countries.

Now, Compare, whose alter ego is Divot the Clown, is training for something that's neither fantasy or magic with a club and ball. Call it an outgrowth of Compare's passion to push his limits at age 62, and it is happening as the world deals with a pandemic.

Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, Compare was in his 17th season as a PGA Teaching Professional at The Breakers in Palm Beach. Compare has picked June 15, to begin "Divot's Drive for Charity" - a 3,100-mile, 36-day cross-country ride across eight states. The goal: to support nine charities that have been embraced by the Compare family.

It's a challenge; but it's not beyond Compare.

Joined by his daughter, Amy, 25, they each will mount Jamis T-6 road bikes, and will be followed in a motor home by Compare's wife, Joan. The bikers will dip their respective back tires in the Pacific Ocean on the shores of San Diego and close the trek by dipping their front tires around July 20 in the Atlantic in St. Augustine, Florida.

They're also being assisted by Compare's son, Kyle, who turns 23 in May. About to complete his Master's Degree in Geology at Florida State University, the former four-year tuba player in the FSU "Marching Chiefs" will drum up public awareness for the ride on social media.

"It's a whole new world to me," said Kevin, who planned the ride well before the COVID-19 outbreak. "I think the easiest thing will be the pedaling. The toughest part will be fundraising."

Compare will attempt to raise $100,000, based upon attracting 1,000 donors of at least $100. The Compare Family Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization, will manage donations.

The bike ride targets nine charities, which are a tapestry of Compare's past and present:

-Martin County Special Olympics

-The South Florida PGA Foundation

-The Arc of Martin County, which benefits individuals with intellectual developmental disabilities.

-Urban Youth Impact, which empowers inner-city youth in West Palm Beach.

-The Breezy Foundation, which gives scholarship support to Martin County college-bound students studying to become Education Service Contracting (ESC) instructors.

-The Edna Fraser Athletic Scholarship, named after a legendary women's sports trailblazer at Compare's alma mater, Foran High School in Milford, Connecticut.

-The Neil Sheriden College Fund, named after a late greens superintendent at Breakers West who succumbed to cancer, and benefits his small children's college aspirations.

-The South Fork Scholarship, which the Compare family will present to a recipient at his children's high school in Stuart.

-The Michael Compare Scholarship, named in honor of his late nephew, a police officer in the Milford Police Department who was a pillar for city youth before passing at age 36.


It's one thing to attempt a cross-country bike ride and another when you consider Compare has had more than his share of physical issues. Last November, he crashed his bike into a bridge. Last Feb. 14, he underwent his 11th surgery, the fourth on his right knee, to repair a torn medial meniscus - commonly called a "shock absorber."

"Nothing hurts when I'm riding," Compare insisted, who has endured two back surgeries, insertion of two stents in his heart in 2007 to offset 99 percent arterial blockage; neck and shoulder surgery, and one procedure he will never forget - to repair a hemorrhoid.

Mapping the ride is like navigating a massive golf course, Compare explained: You have to allow for elevation, constant weather changes, curves and depend upon your equipment.

"We plan to ride 58 miles the first day and then put in 100 each day from there," Compare said.

"If we are on schedule, we plan to spend 10 days riding from San Diego to El Paso, Texas, and then 14 days to ride through the Lone Star State."

He received support researching the trail from the Adventure Cycling Association of Missoula, Montana, which touts its slogan, "Your Adventure Awaits."

Daughter Amy is an environmental educator with a degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Central Florida and a Masters of Education degree from the University of Washington. The furthest she's ridden a bike is 50 miles training for the trip. But, she's made of Compare "stock."

Like her dad, she enjoys challenges. A four-year piccolo player in the UCF marching band, Amy tried out for the rowing team her freshman year despite never having rowed a day in her life. She made the team and during her final two years at UCF, helped the Knights earn their first-ever American Athletic Conference (AAC) Championship and a berth in the NCAA Championships.

One of her goals is to complete walking the Appalachian Trail. She already has made two "sectional" hikes on the famed trail and during one of those journeys helped raise funds to offset medical expenses for a friend who was undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

"It's a quest for adventure," said Amy. "Having just graduated from graduate school and in transition between jobs, I knew this may be the last time for a while that I might be able to do something on this scale with my dad. The fact that my mom is coming, too, makes this trip even better. I'm excited to spend time with my family while helping to support the community where I grew up."

Said Joan Compare, "This bike ride has always been something he wanted to do, so I'm happy that he's finally getting the opportunity to achieve this goal. We've been planning this trip for a while. There is a lot of uncertainty in the world right now, but we're going to do what we can to make this trip happen while looking out for the safety of ourselves and others."

Born in Milford, Connecticut, Kevin Compare lived 10 miles from Yale University, and attended Foran High School, and the spring blended both prep baseball and golf seasons.

"We lived near a big field where we played baseball and where other kids were hitting golf balls," said Compare. "I did everything left-handed. At age 12, I saw a set of left-handed clubs that my father had and started playing with them. I began caddying and practicing. My first year with the clubs I broke 100, then was scoring in the high-80s and then low 80s."

Compare moved to Stuart, Florida in 1976, then searched for five years for a niche in the golf industry. He found his footing in 1981, as an assistant golf professional at Heritage Ridge Golf Club in Hobe Sound. He spent the summer of 1984 at The Towers Country Club in Floral Park, New York. From 1985-87, he was an assistant at Martin County Golf and Country Club in Stuart, with an emphasis on teaching.

Compare was elected to PGA Membership in 1987, the year he began a three-year term as a PGA Head Professional at Miles Grant Country Club in Stuart. He was 29 years old at a club where the average member age was 72 and had no practice range. In his first year at Miles Grant, Compare gave 762 golf lessons.

From 1991-92, Compare was the PGA Director of Instruction at the Golf and Racquet Club in Palm Beach Gardens. In 1993, he worked for two seasons under future PGA Hall of Famer Don Essig III as a Head Professional at South Grove Golf Course in Indianapolis.

From 1995-99, Compare was the lead instructor at the Total Performance Golf School at Woodlake Country Club in Vass, North Carolina, just 13 minutes northeast of Pinehurst.

In 1999, Compare joined the PGA Center for Golf Learning & Performance staff in Port St. Lucie, Florida, and remained until 2003. He became a road warrior in 2004, traveling with his branded trick shot golf exhibition firm, Divot the Clown Corporation. From 2004 to the present, he has been an instructor at The John Webster Golf Academy at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida.


"I'm currently riding between 20 and 50 miles a day," said Compare of his training. "I think, wow! I will be doing two to five times this distance each day for a month. Sometimes it seems overwhelming, but I think of the funds we will be raising and the individuals we will be helping.

 
"The mission statement of The Compare Family Foundation: 'Using God's Given Ability to Help those in Need.' This helps me focus on the goal."

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Southeast Chapter Wins 2026 Nelson Cup Matches

April 20, 2026
Coral Springs, FL - For the fourth time in five years, the Southeast Chapter of the South Florida PGA has won the Annual Nelson Cup Matches, held April 20th at Eagle Trace Golf Club in Coral Springs, Florida. The Nelson Cup is an annual South Florida PGA Ryder Cup-style tournament between the Southeast, Southwest, and Southern Chapters. Each team is composed of 12 Chapter members, two of whom are senior members. Started in 1992 by the Nelson family and now carried on by John Nelson, PGA Teaching Professional at the Country Club of Coral Springs, the annual Matches are played to honor the Nelson family and the significant contributions made to junior golf in South Florida. The day started with morning foursome matches that saw the Southeast Chapter jump out to an early 4.5-point lead over both the Southern and Southwest Chapters, with scores of 9 for the Southeast Chapter and 4.5 for both the Southern and Southwest Chapters. The Southeast Chapter teams of Richard Terga, PGA, and Alastair Mackenzie, PGA, as well as the team of Nick Latimer, PGA, and Jimmy Gascoigne, PGA, led the way in the morning, each winning both of their matches to secure four early points for the Southeast Chapter. Carrying the momentum into the three-ball matches, the Southeast Chapter added 9.5 more points to the Southwest Chapter, 5.5, and the Southern Chapters, 3 points earned during the second set of matches, bringing the points total to 18.5 for the Southeast Chapter, 10 for the Southwest Chapter, and 7.5 for the Southern Chapter. The teams of Terga/Mackenzie and Latimer/Gascoigne kept their undefeated streak going, again adding two more points each. Then, Southeast Chapter teams of John Bendar, PGA, and Morgan Jewell, PGA, and Colin Amaral, PGA, and Steve Vecellio, PGA, also went undefeated in the three-ball matches, adding two more points each. Heading into the final format of singles matches, the Southeast Chapter held a commanding 9-point lead over the Southwest Chapter and an 11-point lead over the Southern Chapter. The Southwest Chapter surged to start singles matches, winning their first eight matches to move within striking distance of the Southeast Chapter. Ashley Grier, PGA, and Latimer halted the run, winning both of their respective matches to earn four more points for the Southeast Chapter. As the singles matches concluded, the Southwest Chapter earned 17 total points, 5 more than the Southeast Chapter, but not enough to overtake them. The final points tallied 30.5 for the Southeast Chapter, 27 for the Southwest, and 14.5 for the Southern Chapter. In the 32 playings of the Nelson Cup Matches, the Southeast Chapter has now won 12 times, compared to the 12 from the Southwest Chapter and the three from the Southern Chapter. Each team was outfitted by SFPGA supporting partner Scales Gear. Team Rosters: Southeast Chapter: Colin Amaral John Bednar Jimmy Gascoigne Ashley Grier Morgan Jewell Michael Kartrude Nick Latimer Alastair Mackenzie Phillip Manceri Taylor Morgan Richard Terga Steven Vecellio Southwest Chapter: Justin Bertsch Evan Bowser Josh Brunet Andrew Filbert Daniel Heaslip Daniel Lee John Lento Matt Markle Justin McCarraher Adam Miller Gary Shea Justin Smith Southern Chapter: Stephen Conte Christian De Greiff Daniel Escalera O liver Gilmartin  Corey Henry Jared Isaacs Sean Kicker John Palloy David Ragan Ricardo Ronderos Jan Urso Grayson Zacker

Justin Hicks Claims Low PGA of America Golf Professional Honors in Senior PGA Championship Debut

By PGA of America • April 20, 2026
BRADENTON, Fla. (April 19, 2026) - In his Senior PGA Championship debut, Justin Hicks earned Low PGA of America Golf Professional honors with a T17 finish at 5-under par at The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Fla. The PGA Teaching Professional at Stonebridge Country Club in Boca Raton, Fla., played the final round 1-over, his only round above par this week following rounds of 69, 69, 72. One stroke shy of an automatic invitation to the 2027 Senior PGA Championship, Hicks still relished in his performance this week. “It was a very exciting week from start to finish,” said the South Florida PGA Section Member. “I'm still kind of riding a wave of things here. The last couple of years have been pretty good for me. My (Stonebridge CC) members have been really supportive of me out here playing in these events too and rooting me on back home. Had my wife and son out here with me as well. I've got quite a few text messages to catch up with tonight.” Hicks carded three birdies on the day against four bogies, the most he’s made all week, but he’ll leave satisfied with another week of competing under his belt. “The more I kind of get comfortable out here, I think that was a big part of it for me. I've never been the hare in the race. I've always been the tortoise.” Hicks has played some of the best golf of his career now that he has entered the 50-and-older ranks. Prior to this week he competed in the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow on the Corebridge Financial Team, made an appearance in the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches, Monday qualified for the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational and qualified for the 2025 U.S. Open. “Little by little I just keep trying to get that tortoise going,” the 2025 Senior PGA Player of the Year said. “17th is a good finish here this week. I know it could have been better, but you could say that about every time you play golf.” In a booth interview with Golf Channel’s George Savaricas following his final round, Hicks summed up his experience this week. “It was a really special week, one I'll remember I think forever.” Of the 36 PGA of America Golf Professionals competing this week under the Corebridge Financial Team moniker, Hicks created space early on in the Championship, at one point being only three strokes off the lead. Omar Uresti, PGA, was next at T51 and 3-over for the week. Close behind Uresti was Bob Sowards, PGA Director of Instruction at Kinsale Golf and Fitness Club in Powell, Ohio, who had the low round of the day of the 10 Corebridge Financial Team members who made the weekend. He carded a 2-under 70 to end the week 5-over and T59. In his seventh Senior PGA Championship Appearance, and seventh cut made, Sowards saved his low round of the week for Sunday. He birdied two of his first four holes and played steady the rest of the round, crediting his distance control as the difference maker. “I hit the irons a lot better,” Sowards said. “I put a new set of irons in the bag, new shafts, and I was hitting them so far the first three days. I dialed in the distance instead of knocking it over every green, and so for next week’s PGA Professional Championship (at Bandon Dunes), I'm gonna go back to my steel shafts.” Alan Morin, PGA of The Club at Ibis, also made the cut and finished tied for 69th place at 8-over par. Additional South Florida PGA Members competing in the Championship included Paul Scaletta of the Bear’s Club, Tim Cantwell of PGA National Golf Club, and Mark Brown of The Yacht and Country Club. Each qualified to compete as part of the Corebridge Financial PGA Team, representing both their respective facilities and the South Florida PGA Section on a national stage.

South Florida PGA Open Section Tournament Season at Wilderness Country Club

April 17, 2026
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.

5th Annual South Florida PGA Play Yellow Birdie Bash Raising Record Breaking Number at Over $539,000

April 6, 2026
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.

Creating Smiles in Fort Myers

By Chance Bressler • March 18, 2026
March 18, 2026

Tyler Nagy: South Florida PGA Foundation’s First Scholarship Recipient

February 24, 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.

PGA of America Golf Professional Jeff Gullett Earns PGA Master Professional Designation

By PGA of America • February 9, 2026
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.

Bo Preston Named 2026 PGA of America National Patriot Award Recipient

By PGA of America • January 22, 2026
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.

Justin Thomas & Cameron Young to Host SFPGA Jr. Challenge Cup

By Kelly Elbin • January 19, 2026
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.

Ben Polland, Sandra Changkija, Justin Hicks Win 2025 PGA Professional Player of the Year Awards Presented by Rolex

By PGA of America • January 13, 2026
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.”