North Florida PGA

On Sunday, April 17th, eight PGA Professionals from the North Florida Section competed in the PGA Professional Championship at Omni Barton Creek Resort. Greg Koch (RitzCarlton Golf Club - Grande Lakes Orlando), Rod Perry (Crane Lakes Golf & Country Club), Stephanie ConnellyEiswerth (San Jose Country Club), Jennifer Borocz (North Florida Section), David Damesworth (Orange Tree Golf Club), Joseph Sabatino (Hidden Lakes Golf Club), Matt Borchert (Isleworth Golf & Country Club) and Jonathan Mansfield (Clearwater Country Club). Borchert tied for 11th place and earned a spot in the Team of 20, punching his ticket to the PGA Championship at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

One of the biggest NFPGA events of the year is almost here again! The 43rd Annual Meeting presented by Global Golf Sales will be taking the stage at a new venue this year: the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort. The Yamaha Annual Meeting ProPro will take place on the newlydesigned Florida Course at Grand Cypress on June 7th. Two keynote speakers will be taking the stage to deliver presentations highlighting the importance of leadership. 2022 NFPGA Golf Professional of the Year Bill Filson will serve as the morning keynote speaker, sharing his insight into how to utilize the culture of excitement to entice both customers and employees alike. Filson will share how to grow the game through inclusion and create an engaging environment that fosters customer loyalty. PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh will serve as the afternoon’s keynote speaker. Inspired by David Novack, New York Times bestselling author and host of the “How Leaders Lead” podcast, “Learning from Leaders” will be a conversation-style presentation with Waugh sharing his journey and explaining how he gets things done! In the afternoon, elections for President, Vice President, Secretary and Tournament Chair will be held during the Business Meeting. The Celebration of Members will take place on Sunday, June 5th, at the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. The ceremony and dinner will honor all of the recipients of the 2022 NFPGA Section Awards and the NFPGA Hall of Fame inductees.

Stephanie Connelly-Eiswerth at the PGA Professional Championship

Matt Borchert, final round of the PGA Professional Championship

The 45th Annual Patty Berg Pro-Am Golf Tournament, held at Cypress Lake Golf Club, raised $29,000 to support scholarship programs for young golfers in Southwest Florida. This year’s tournament attracted a sold-out field of 72 members and 24 professional golfers to Cypress Lake Golf Club, a pristine private course in Fort Myers that offers subtle contours of the land, distinctive natural features and plentiful wildlife. Proceeds from the Patty Berg ProAm support the Patty Berg Scholarship Program through the Southwest Florida Junior Golf Association, which provides well-rounded youth golfers with college scholarships. Recipients must be SWFJGA members for at least three years and display good sportsmanship, a positive attitude, citizenship and competitive courage. “The Patty Berg Pro-Am is a great way our members and sponsors can come together and give back to the local community,” said Jon Pazdera, the club’s director of golf. “Golf clubs across Southwest Florida host a variety of fundraising events, but the Pro-Am has a different feel because of its long history and impact on the sport.” Berg, a Hall of Game golfer who is credited for opening doors for female golfers across the world, was a founding member of Cypress Lake Golf Club in 1959 and continued her membership until she passed away in 2006. During

Cypress Lake Golf Club - Patty Berg Pro-Am check presentation

Cypress Lake Golf Club

her illustrious professional career, Berg won 60 championships on the LPGA Tour and her 15 major titles is the most among all female golfers. Today, Cypress Lake Golf Club is home to the world’s largest collection of Berg’s artifacts and memorabilia after the golfer permanently loaned a collection of her trophies, medals, plaques, photos and other historic relics. In 2021, the club dedicated a three-dimensional “Pop Art” assemblage based on rediscovered artwork from illustrator Anthony Ravielli to celebrate Berg’s achievements on and off the golf course. “Patty Berg meant so much to golf worldwide, but especially here in Southwest Florida, where she donated her time and resources to help youth golfers improve their game,” said Ed Rodgers, general manager of Cypress Lake Golf Club. “The Pro-Am and other fundraising events are our way of continuing her legacy of improving the sport for the next generation of golfers.” Hole-in-One sponsors for the Patty Berg Pro-Am included Orthopedic Specialists of SW Florida, FineMark National Bank & Trust and “In Memory of John Schramm.” Eagle sponsors included Winged Foot Title, Bushwood Tree Co., Pinestraw of South Florida and Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre. In July, Cypress Lake Golf Club will host the Patty Berg Championship, one of PGA South Florida Section’s.