Sink or Swim - The Journey of Bill Scott, PGA (July Member Spotlight)

For over 30 years, Bill Scott, PGA has dedicated his career to teaching and sharing his passion for the game of golf with younger generations.


At age nine, Scott was invited by his older brother to the golf course for the first time. His brother was a new member of Mount Vernon Country Club in Alexandria, Virginia where the Scott family grew up. It was a junior summer camp at the Club that initially sparked Scott’s interest in the game and from there, he was hooked. 


Fast forward to Scott’s freshman year of high school where football was his main passion, while enjoying golf on the side. In a talk with the golf coach, who also happened to be the former football coach, Scott was hit with some harsh reality. 


“Bill, you have about a one-in-a-million chance of playing professional football, " his coach said. “You already play golf, you can maybe make a career out of this, there are lots of different avenues.”


Moving forward, Scott was fully committed to golf and by the time he graduated high school, he had a decision to make - go to college or begin a career in golf. After a semester in college, Scott decided school was not for him. 


Thanks to his childhood spent at Mount Vernon Country Club, Scott was hired and enrolled in the PGA Apprenticeship Program in 1992. For ten years, Scott would work at Mount Vernon Country Club, starting in the bag room, working his way to first assistant and obtaining his Class-A PGA Membership. During that time, Scott worked heavily in junior golf and ran the same junior golf camp where his love for the game was first established. 


After ten years, Scott wanted to pursue a professional playing career. He and his wife quit their jobs and moved to south Florida in 1998. Again, Scott was hit by the harsh reality of trying to play golf for a career and the grueling path of making it in professional golf. 


Scott knew a change was inevitable and made, what he called, a “cold stop” at Banyan Golf Club to see about potential opportunities. Two months later, David Eby, PGA Director of Golf at Banyan Golf Club, called Scott to let him know about a position opening that he should interview for. Scott was hired as an Assistant Professional in September of 1998. 


Not long after he started at Banyan Golf Club, Scott was introduced to Don Law through Law's daughter who worked as a shop assistant at Banyan. The Don Law Golf Academy was just starting and Law asked Scott if he wanted to come teach. Scott turned down the opportunity and remained at Banyan. 


Several years later, Bobby Brown, PGA, a well-respected professional and the South Florida PGA Southeast Chapter Junior Chairman at the time, decided to take a job in Connecticut. Scott wanted to get more involved at the Section level, particularly in Junior Golf and he reached back out to Law, who was the Section Junior Chairman at the time. Scott was able to meet with Law and Rick Heard, PGA, the Southeast Chapter President to learn more about junior programming at the Section and Chapter levels. During the meeting, Scott felt as if it turned more into an interview, and was once again offered by Law to teach at the Academy. 


More intrigued by the opportunity and ready for a change, Scott consulted with his wife.


“We already quit our jobs once to move to Florida with no jobs, I'll just quit my job again with a baby on the way and start a new career teaching,” Scott laughed as he recalled the conversation with his wife. “It really was just sink or swim.”


In 2003, Scott quit his job and moved into a full-time teaching role at Don Law Golf Academy, a position unlike his salaried position at Banyan. Scott’s income solely came from teaching. 


“It was certainly stressful," Scott expressed. “But it was something I always talked about wanting to do. Jim McLean, David Leadbetter, those were the guys I studied and as a kid, those were the guys I wanted to be one day.”


With seven full years of “swimming” at Don Law Golf Academy, Scott was offered the opportunity to take over the Academy as the Director of Instruction in 2010 - the position he currently holds today.


While it may seem as if Scott’s route to becoming the Director of Instruction at one of the most well-known and respected Junior Academies in south Florida was seamless, Scott did not have the background of teaching at that level and became obsessed with learning to be the best. 


During his early days at Don Law Academy, video lessons and swing technology was just becoming a popular asset for teaching and Scott made sure to take advantage, allowing him to set himself apart from other teachers. 


“I always wanted to stay ahead, I wanted to be first,” said Scott. “Obviously we are all on the same team at the Academy, but in my mind I wanted to be that leader.”


As a junior, Scott recalls several PGA Members that showed interest in him and supported him when he started the game and now sees himself in the juniors he works with today. 


“I just want to give back because of all those guys that supported me,” he said. “They made me who I am today.”


The Don Law Golf Academy has several students that come to train at the Academy from all across the world. One student in particular, Chonpatchsorn Mahathep or “Punchy” as most people call her, has been coming to the Academy seasonally for a couple of years now. She always wanted to be able to live and go to high school in the United States but it would take a family to take her in full-time to have that opportunity. Once Scott caught wind, he spoke with his family because it would ultimately mean a four year commitment. The entire family was on board immediately and now two years later, Punchy is a full-time member of the Scott family. 


Punchy is a member of the South Florida PGA Junior Tour and competes at the highest level on the Medalist Tour. In late June, The 39th Nicklaus Junior Championship, one of eight junior majors played throughout the season took place.


The week before the event, Punchy came to Scott and said, “Coach Bill, I never win, I only have gotten second.” Noticing that she was questioning herself, Scott responded, “It will happen, you just have to be patient and keep doing what you are doing.”


With full support from Scott, his wife and son Corbin, also an SFPGA Junior Tour member, Punchy claimed her first win at the 39th Nicklaus Junior Championship by two shots. 


After the win Scott said to her, "I guess you can’t say you haven't won one before and you won a pretty big one too. The entire family was so happy for her.”


After all the support Scott has given to Junior Golf, Scott remains determined to continue to impact the younger generations. 


“I encourage every PGA Professional to show support for junior golf because you can have an impact on not only golf but life in general,” Scott said. “They are the future of our game, you just never know how you can impact someone.” 

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Tyler Collet Wins 2025 PGA Professional Championship in Historic Fashion

May 1, 2025
Tyler Collet is a PGA Professional Champion. And he earned his victory with a record-breaking performance. The PGA Assistant Professional from John's Island Club in Vero Beach, Florida, won the 2025 PGA Professional Championship at PGA Golf Club with a final score of 15-under par, beating Houston's Jesse Droemer by 10 shots to claim the Walter Hagen Cup. It's the largest margin of victory for a Champion since Matt Dobyns in 2012, who won by 8 strokes. The victory march for Collet started on Sunday, when he fired a 65 on PGA Golf Club's Wanamaker Course to have a share of the lead with Michael Block after the first round. He followed that up with a 67 on the Ryder Course, taking a solo lead by three shots. Collet then kicked it into overdrive in the third round back on the Wanamaker Course, mastering windy and firm conditions to fire 68. A final-round 72 sealed the win for him.

Heather Angell, PGA Presented South Florida PGA Professional Development Award

April 28, 2025
West Palm Beach, FL - Heather Angell, PGA Director of Instruction at The Golf Club at Fiddler’s Creek, has been awarded the 2024 South Florida PGA Professional Development Award. The PGA Professional Development Award bestows special recognition on a South Florida PGA Golf Professional who personally displays a strong desire for lifelong education, including outstanding and continuing contributions to professional education. “I am honored to receive the SFPGA Professional Development award,” said Angell. “ As PGA Professionals, it is our responsibility to enhance the game of golf not only to our students but also to fellow PGA Professionals.” Before starting at Fiddler’s Creek in November of 2024, Angell served as the Director of Instruction at Heritage Palm Golf & Country Club from 2019 to 2024. A PGA of America Golf Professional for a decade, Angell is a prime example of a “lifelong learner” who wants to be as informed as possible to better herself, her students, and her fellow professionals. In addition to her position as the Director of Instruction at The Golf Club at Fiddler’s Creek, Angell plays an integral role in the Southwest Chapter, serving as one of the Education Committee Chairpersons. In 2024, Angell led the charge in creating the Southwest Chapter Teaching Symposium, which welcomed 75 Professionals and featured a Top-100 instructor as the keynote speaker. Additionally, Angell is very passionate about mentoring, which is apparent in her work at Florida Gulf Coast University. From 2018 to 2024, Angell had the opportunity to impact over 115 Professionals as an adjunct professor. Angell also worked several evening clinics at FGCU, serving over 40 PGA Professionals while providing insight on instruction and various topics. “Creating accessible educational opportunities lifts us all to be better industry representatives,” explained Angell. Angell was presented the 2024 South Florida PGA Professional Development Award last Saturday at Fiddler’s Creek.

Kyle Schulte, PGA & Stoneybrook Golf Club Win Cadillac Pro-Am

April 26, 2025
Fort Myers, FL (April 25, 20245) - Kyle Schulte, PGA and the team from Stoneybrook Golf Course of Estero won the South Florida PGA Cadillac Pro-Am, presented by DeVoe and Val Ward Cadillac, played April 25th at Miromar Lakes Golf Club. The 2025 Cadillac Pro-Am welcomed 15 teams of a South Florida PGA Professional and three amateurs, playing in a team two best ball of four format with one net and one gross. Schulte, the PGA Head Professional at Stoneybrook and amateurs Chris Larson, Matt Dennis and Brent Wright managed a 19-under total, defeating Jon Pazdera, PGA and the team from Cypress Lake Golf Club by four. In addition to the team division, SFPGA professionals were able to compete for low professional honors. Jonas DeWitte of Indian River Club claimed Low Professional honors with a 5-under performance, holding off Schulte by two. This year’s Cadillac Pro-Am was presented by DeVoe and Val Ward Cadillac, respectively, with Airshare and XXIO | Never Compromise | Asics as supporting partners. Miromar Lakes Golf Club is led by PGA General Manager, Ken McMaster as well as PGA Head Professional, Daniel Lee and PGA Assistant Professional, James Tamasy. Click below to view event results. Leaderboard

Teaching Runs in the Family - Jarryd Wood, PGA

By Matt De Tullio • April 25, 2025
As a college student, Jarryd Wood, PGA, practiced at the Diplomat Golf and Tennis Club (now Shell Bay Club). Following practice sessions, Wood would help legendary teaching professional Manny Zerman tidy the practice area at the end of the day, fostering a strong relationship that would greatly impact Wood’s life beyond what he could have imagined. Born into a family of golfers on Long Island, Wood's father served as a PGA Professional at Inwood Country Club for 40 years, affording a young Wood many opportunities to experience all that golf can provide and different avenues available to continue to advance in the game. A strong junior golfer, Wood earned a spot on the Johnson and Wales University Golf team in North Miami. At the team's first event during Wood's freshman year, he started alongside four seniors and fired rounds 75’s across the board. Respectable scores for a Freshman in his first event, but his score did not contribute to the overall team score once. "If I can't beat these guys, who am I going to beat?" Wood recalled telling himself. While defeated in the moment, Wood's focus transitioned to what a career as a teaching professional could look like. He used the rest of his college career as an opportunity to grow and learn. While Wood was in college, Zerman began working at La Gorce Country Club, where Wood spent three months as an intern. Upon graduation, Wood obtained a job at Pine Hallow Country Club in Long Island, where he spent one season before receiving a chance to reconnect with his mentor. In need of an assistant, Zerman called Wood. "He called me in October asking if I wanted to come down as an assistant. So I quit my job up north and moved to Miami," Wood deadpanned. For Wood, the facility or location wasn't important; it was simply the chance to work for Zerman. Wood did not take the chance lightly, following Zerman like a fly and studying his teaching philosophy. As Zerman moved on, Wood was fortunate to obtain many of Zerman's clients. "I started teaching them a little bit, and even though it was maybe a little early for me in my career, it was always my passion because that is what I grew up around," Wood said. Following Zerman at La Gorce came Ray Boone, PGA, another successful teaching professional and valuable resource for Wood. Similar to Zerman, Wood followed Boone closely, building a bond with many of his clients. As with Zerman, once Boone moved one, Wood obtained even more clients, virtually having a full book within his first four years. At this time, Wood had found his niche and was only growing. Incredibly passionate about teaching, Wood approached the La Gorce board and transitioned from an assistant to a teaching professional. As Wood thrived for nearly the next 10 years as a teaching professional, La Gorce experienced many transitions in the leadership space. With almost 16 years at La Gorce, the facility had become home to him and his family, and Wood was committed to the long haul. In 2023, the head professional role was vacant. "I stepped in, not really because that is what I wanted to do as much as what needed to be done," explained Wood passionately. A familiar face brought comfort to La Gorce and its membership, but Wood has no issue admitting the leadership transition is not easy. "It was definitely a change for me to manage people," said Wood. "But the membership is super respectful of me and the position I took." As Wood grew in his new role, the challenges of hiring and maintaining staff in a major city like Miami became evident compared to the extensive community facilities in Palm Beach County and others within our Section. "It is different to get assistants down here. It's a big city, and it's a big city life, and to get a family to move here is nearly impossible," explained Wood. While Wood continues to manage all the moving parts of being a head professional at a facility to the magnitude of La Gorce, there has always been one consistent piece to his life… his Dad. "He is the only reason I do what I do. I talk to him every day, sometimes twice a day. We know each other's lives, and he knows exactly what I am saying when I tell a story because he has been there and done that,” emphasized Wood. "I have grown my business, and I have grown my life learning from what he did and how he managed and made himself part of the community."

Perry's Birdie on 17 Seals Florida Senior Open Victory

By FSGA • April 24, 2025
Special from the Florida State Golf Association BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. (April 24, 2025) – In a final round filled with nonstop leaderboard shifts it was Rod Perry of Crane Lakes Golf & Country Club who stayed steady amid the storm to emerge victorious at the 48th Florida Senior Open Championship. The day began like any other final round, with the leaders going off in the final group. But it didn’t take long for the leaderboard to unravel. Players rose and fell with nearly every hole, creating a whirlwind of momentum shifts that made it nearly impossible to keep track of who was actually in control. Miles McConnell, who started the day with the lead, stumbled early with a double bogey on the 4th, falling to 2-under. First-round leader Timothy Cantwell also faltered, dropping three shots on holes five, six, and eight to sit at 1-under by the turn. Meanwhile, Frank Bensel surged into contention with three front-nine birdies to briefly grab the lead. As players made the turn, the lead changed hands so rapidly it seemed like every hole produced a new frontrunner. Perry, starting the day in second, posted a 3-over front nine. But then came the spark. Back-to-back birdies on the 10th and 11th holes put him right back in the mix. Also making noise was Jonathon Kaye, who clawed his way into contention after a 76 in the opening round with a gritty comeback in round two. The first sign of clarity came on the 14th when Cantwell birdied to take solo possession of the lead at 3-under. But Perry was lurking just one shot back. McConnell and Kaye were still within striking distance, turning the final stretch into a high-stakes showdown. By the end of the 16th hole, the original leaders had clawed their way back to the top, and Cantwell and Perry were tied at 3-under with just two holes to play. Then Perry struck. A clutch birdie on the 17th pushed him to solo first, the decisive blow that sealed his win. Perry’s consistent play across all three rounds, 70-70-71--212, earned him the title and a $12,000 payday as the 48th Florida Senior Open Champion. It was a wild finish, but in the end, calm and composure carried the day. Timothy Cantwell of PGA National Resort & Spa finished in second place with rounds of 69-73-72--214. Third place was a tie between Jonathan Kaye and Miles McConnell who both finished at 1-under total. McConnell earned Low-Amateur Honors after rounds of 71-69-75--215. Results

Southwest Chapter Claims 2025 Nelson Cup; Breaks Southeast Chapter Streak

April 22, 2025
B oca Raton, FL (April 22, 2025)— The Southwest Chapter earned 31 points in the annual Nelson Cup Matches, played at Stonebridge Country Club, claiming the 2025 Nelson Cup by half a point. The Southeast Chapter streak of three consecutive wins came to a close as the Southwest Chapter earned their first Nelson Cup since 2019 with the 2020 event being cancelled due to the pandemic and the 2021 event being rained out. The day started with nine-hole foursome matches, which saw the Southeast Chapter get out to an early 3-point lead over the Southwest Chapter and a 9-point lead over the Southern Chapter. Three-ball matches were played on the second nine, where the Southwest Chapter managed to earn 7.5 points to the Southeast Chapter’s 5, giving the Southeast Chapter a .5 lead over the Southwest Chapter. Heading into the singles matches, the scores stood: Southeast (15), Southwest (14.5), and Southern (6.5), with the most points up for grabs in the singles matches. Matt Markle, PGA of True Spec Golf, led off for the Southwest Chapter, earning two 4 & 2 wins to earn the first two points of the singles matches. With only a few matches left on the course, a tie between Andrew Filbert, PGA of West Bay Club, and Mike Midgette, PGA of Delaire Country Club, flipped the Southwest to have a .5 point lead. Kyle Horvath, PGA of Quail Creek Country Club, was ultimately the deciding point with his 2 & 1 victory over Stephen Conte, PGA of Conte’s Palm Aire Golf Academy. In the Cup’s 31-year history, the Southwest Chapter has now earned 13 wins. The annual Nelson Cup was supported by Scales, who outfitted each team. This year’s Cup was hosted at Stonebridge Country Club, led by PGA Director of Golf, Jeff Hall, and PGA Head Professional, Jordan Mathers. Southwest Chapter Roster: Justin Bertsch - Club Pelican Bay - Bay/Club Evan Bowser - LaPlaya Golf Club James Desanges - Panther Run Golf Club Gary Shea - The Club at Olde Cypress Andrew Filbert - West Bay Club Jeremy Wells - Cypress Lake Golf Club Domenico Geminiani - Old Corkscrew Golf Club Kyle Horvath - Quail Creek Country Club John Lento - The Golf Club at Crown Colony Nick Marcoaldi - Colonial Country Club Matt Markle - True Spec Golf - Naples Grande

The Club at Admirals Cove Hosts Club Car Pro-Official

April 17, 2025
Jupiter, FL —The Club Car-Pro Official, presented by Earth Networks, opened the 2025 South Florida PGA Section Tournament season today at The Club at Admirals Cove with Richard Terga and Alex Gilmurray from the Breakers Rees Jones Course taking home first place honors. Admirals Cove East Course welcomed 50 teams comprised of one SFPGA Professional and an Official from the same facility competing in a four-ball stroke play format. With a 9-under 61, Terga and amateur Gilmurray were tied with Justin Rountree, PGA at Eagle Lakes Golf Club, forcing a scorecard playoff where the team from The Breakers Rees Jones Course were the eventual champions. In the gross division, John Brunet, PGA General Manager at Eagle Lakes Golf Club and amateur Dan Sopcak at 5-under 65 were crowned the champions after winning a scorecard playoff with four other teams. Brunet also captured the low professional division at 5-under, defeating runner-up finisher Michael Kartrude, PGA of the Bear’s Club by three. Brunet and Kartrude were the only two professionals who finished under-par. Brunet managed only two bogeys on his round, which was highlighted by an eagle on par-5, 17th hole. The 2025 Club Car Pro-Official was presented by Earth Networks and supported by Ballz 4 Change, BlueGolf, DLL Financial Solutions, Golf Sign and Design, ExecuSearch, Holderness and Bourne, Jacket, Prize Possessions, Relay, TRUE Linkswear and Toptracer. The Cub at Admirals Cove boasts six PGA Professionals and four PGA Associates, led by PGA Director of Golf Sean Burke-McDermott and PGA Head Professionals Matt King and Chas Golibart. Leaderboard / Photo Album

4th Annual Play Yellow Birdie Bash Raises Over $300,000

April 14, 2025
Palm Beach Gardens, FL - The South Florida PGA administered its fourth annual Play Yellow Birdie Bash, today at PGA National Resort, raising $303,576.78 to benefit the South Florida PGA Foundation and the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation. 34 two-person teams of South Florida PGA Professionals and Associates took on the Match and Staple courses at PGA National, playing 81 holes in an effort to make as many birdies as possible. Each birdie was supported by donor pledges with funds aiding the SFPGA Foundation and Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation to promote its missions further. The fourth annual event raised over $300,000, bringing the grand total to just shy of 2 million in four years. Donations will be available until Friday, April 18th. Eric Veilleux, PGA Head Professional at The Bear’s Club, managed to keep his streak of most funds raised alive with a new partner, Michael Kartrude, PGA Assistant Professional at The Bear’s Club. The duo raised nearly $55,000 alone, making 54 birdies over the 81 holes. Play Yellow Birdie Bash returners Josh LaPointe, PGA Head Professional at Addison Reserve Countr. and Kevin Baldizar, PGA Director of Golf at Addison Reserve Country Club, led the field in birdies with 60, besting Veilleux and Kartrude by six. Now in its fourth year and extended to both the East and West Coast of Florida, the South Florida Play Yellow Birdie Bash has nearly surpassed the $2 Million mark. In the past two years alone, the SFPGA Foundation has administered 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. “What we accomplished together goes beyond just golf,” said Paul Clivio, SFPGA Section President. “It is about making a lasting impact on the lives of children and families in our community through the South Florida PGA Foundation and the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care 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 falls under the direction of the South Florida PGA, a not-for-profit organization of 2,000 PGA of America Professionals serving as experts in business and the game of golf. 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. To support the South Florida Play Yellow Birdie Bash, click here.

South Florida PGA Selected for the 2025 PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup

April 1, 2025
The South Florida PGA will compete for the first time in the 2025 PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup on May 12th at Carmel Country Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. This prestigious event, held during PGA Championship Week, celebrates the transformative impact of PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) on Veterans and military personnel. The PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup provides a unique and memorable experience for Veterans and the PGA of America Golf Professionals who dedicate themselves to positively impacting military personnel through the game of golf. The annual event, which started in 2016, honors the Secretary of Veteran Affairs and recognizes the Memorandum of Understanding between PGA REACH and the Department of Veteran Affairs. The competition follows a 5-person scramble format featuring four PGA HOPE Graduates and one PGA/LPGA Professional from each of the 12 selected teams. The host course is always located within the same PGA Section as that year’s PGA Championship, providing participants with an unforgettable experience alongside one of golf’s most prestigious events. Representing Team South Florida at the 2025 PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup are: Patti Baker – U.S. Air Force Richard George – U.S. Navy Dwight Hanners – U.S. Navy Chris Short – U.S. Army Zach Anzaroot, PGA Associate, The Rookery at Marco – U.S. Army “This is an incredible milestone for our Section and a testament to the strength of our PGA HOPE program,” said Darrell Bock, PGA, Director of Foundation Programs. “We are honored to showcase our Veterans and Section on a national stage and continue our mission of using golf to change lives.” Following the event, the momentum will continue with the PGA HOPE Classic on May 15th, the South Florida PGA’s signature charitable event that directly supports local PGA HOPE programming. Click here to view the event page and register. Stay tuned as we spotlight Team South Florida in the coming weeks. Click here to learn more about PGA HOPE and how you can support our mission.

Celebrating Legacy: The Ed Ficker Sportsmanship Award

March 20, 2025
The South Florida PGA Junior Tour began recognizing a junior boy and girl annually in 2006 for displaying extraordinary sportsmanship with the Ed Ficker Sportsmanship Award. The award was established as a gesture to Ficker, his commitment to the South Florida PGA, the South Florida community, and his 41 years as the PGA Head Professional at Tequesta Country Club. “He was simply an incredible guy,” recalled Don Law, PGA of Don Law Golf Academy and a 2013 SFPGA Hall of Fame inductee. “He was one of the nicest humans you will ever meet in your life.” In 1965, Ficker took over as the club’s second head golf professional, succeeding Dow Finsterwald, who enjoyed a very successful playing career, proudly displaying his 1958 PGA Championship Wanamaker Trophy in the golf shop. Ficker stayed loyal to Tequesta, serving 41 years until his retirement in 2006. Following his retirement, the award was created and included in the South Florida PGA Junior Tour’s Annual Award honors. Since then, several recipients have gone on to work in the golf industry, including Matt Cahill, PGA, a 2008 Ed Ficker Sportsmanship award recipient and current Head Golf Professional at Seminole Golf Club. As a young junior golfer, it is difficult to expect one to know or understand the impact a retired golf professional had, but that is what raised the curiosity for Cahill to learn more. “I wanted to really find out what he stood for and learn about his life,” explained Cahill. “I was blown away at how much he gave back to the game of golf and the community. Not just going to work each day as a club professional, but spending time to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.” Samantha (Coleman) Lodigiani, PGA, a 2011 award recipient, went on to study Professional Golf Management at Florida Gulf Coast University and is currently an Assistant Professional at Babcock National Golf Club. And, Danny Green, a current University of Florida student, and 2021 award recipient. Green grew up as a member of Tequesta, and when he received the recognition, Ficker arranged a dinner to spend extra time with Green. “Dinner was wonderful, and he was kind, attentive, and very knowledgeable,” explained Green. “Mr. Ficker was a great man. I am honored to carry on his legacy.” The names featured above are just a few examples of individuals of whom Ficker had a positive impact on. The range of effects Ficker had is unmeasurable, and the Annual Ed Ficker Sportsmanship Award is a small indication of our appreciation. "Ed Ficker was the consummate PGA Professional and one of the most respected PGA members not just in South Florida but the entire country. Honoring and carrying on his legacy with the Sportsmanship award is a small way we can ensure the impact of Ed Ficker will never be forgotten," said South Florida PGA Executive Director Geoff Lofstead. All Award Winners: 2024: Boy: Thomas Nevico Girl: Eva Lye 2023: Boy: Alex Greer Girl: Dounia Bezzari 2022: Boy: Danny Green Girl: Punchy Mahathep 2021: Boy: Michael Rivera Girl: Ariana Silva 2020: Boy: Chase Cohen Girl: Erin Marcelino 2019: Boy: Matthew Myers Girl: Madyson Gold 2018: Boy: Chase Scholze Girl: Kelli Kragh 2015 Boy: Joe Lewis Girl: Jillian Bourdage 2014 Boy: Timothy Simpson Girl: Emily Faulkner 2013 Boy: Matt Newman Girl: Mary Janiga 2012 Boy: Robert Butler Girl: Radi Sauro 2011 Boy: Jackson Schoenfelt Girl: Samantha Coleman 2010 Boy: Harley Abrams Girl: Annie Dulman 2009 Boy: Jaime Rodriguez Girl: Ashley Burke 2008 Boy: Matthew Cahill Girl: Julie Olmo 2007 Boy: Derek Wilcox Girl: Christina Amoriello 2006 Boy: Ben Vertz Girl: Kristen Hill
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