From the south florida pga
The South Florida PGA has announced the roster of 12 PGA Professionals who will represent the South Florida PGA Section at the 2026 Challenge Cup matches played against the North Florida PGA Section. This Ryder Cup format event will be played October 13-15, 2026, at John’s Island Club’s West Course in Vero Beach, Florida.
The team was determined through the 2026 ROLEX Player of the Year Points Standings, where the top 12 players were invited to compete.
Joe Allinder, PGA Head Professional at Imperial Golf Club, will lead the South Florida team as captain. Allinder has previously participated ten times in the Challenge Cup, contributing to the current all-time record of 29 wins for the South Florida Section, and now will attempt to contribute once more as the captain to get to 30 wins, meaning six straight victories for the team.
“It’s not about me; it’s about these guys and what they have accomplished through the year,” Allinder stated. “All 12 of these professionals have a lot of talent, with guys making cuts on PGA Tour and Champions Tour events, and two guys playing on the PGA Cup Team.
Speaking to his role as captain for such a seasoned roster, Allinder emphasized his trust in the team's depth and experience. "We've got great putters, great golf ball strikers," Allinder noted. Highlighting the remarkable talent level across the entire roster, he added, "It's kind of like a team where you could just almost toss the balls up and let them go because all 12 of them are that good."
2026 South Florida PGA Challenge Cup Team
Nick Beddow (Hobe Sound, Fla.) - APOGEE
Evan Bowser (Naples, Fla.) - Wilderness Country Club
Matt Cahill (West Palm Beach, Fla.) - Seminole Golf Club
Tyler Collet (Vero Beach, Fla.) - John’s Island Club
Andrew Filbert (Naples, Fla.) - West Bay Golf Club
Justin Hicks (Wellington, Fla.) - Stonebridge Country Club
Austin Jarchow (Delray Beach, Fla.) - Boca West Country Club
Michael Kartrude (Port Saint Lucie, Fla.) - NOKOSI
Derron Peyton (Boynton Beach, Fla.) - BallenIsles Country Club
John Somers (Port Saint Lucie, Fla.) - Hobe Sound Golf Club
Justin Smith (Estero, Fla.) - Bonita Bay Club
Jeremy Wells (Estero, Fla.) - Cypress Lake Golf Club
First played in 1981, the Challenge Cup is an annual contest between professionals from the South Florida and North Florida PGA Sections. The Ryder Cup-style event is contested by teams of 12 players over three days, with four-ball matches and foursome matches on the first day, and singles matches on the final day.
The South Florida PGA Team will be reaching for its sixth consecutive Challenge Cup victory. The last time the Challenge Cup was contested, the South Florida PGA Section won 17-7 at the Ritz-Carlton Members’ Club, led by 2025 Captain Dan Heaslip, PGA Director of Golf at Windstar on Naples Bay.
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