Week of Wednesday, May 17, 2023 n Page 22 fortmyersbeachtalk.com
SPORTS & RECREATION Cypress Lake Golf Club’s Wells qualifies for PGA Championship Jeremy Wells, director of player developand golf center before joining Cypress Lake ment at Cypress Lake Golf Club in Fort Golf Club in 2019 as the historic club Myers, has qualified for the prestigious PGA launched its 60th anniversary celebration. Championship at Oak Hill in Rochester, New At Cypress Lake Golf Club, Wells proYork. In the second of the PGA Tour's four vides individual instruction, clinics and major championships, he'll be competing playing lessons for golfers of all abilities, against the likes of Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy incorporating technology like Trackman, and Jordan Spieth. Boditrack, Blast Motion, Eyeline Golf and Wells, of Estero, was among 312 PGA Perfect Putter into lessons. Cypress Lake has professionals competing for just 20 available an expansive practice area that includes a spots in the PGA Championship at Oak Hill. full driving range, short range, fairway and PGA professionals are members of the greenside bunkers, and a putting green. Professional Golfers Association and often Wells qualified for the PGA work as golf club pros, club managers, Championship after a solid all-around perJeremy Wells course superintendents, golf instructors and formance at the PGA Professional tournament directors. Championship, held April 30 to May 3 at “I have been playing golf since I was 5 years old, the Twin Warriors Golf Club and Santa Ana Golf Club in always dreaming about the chance to play in a major and New Mexico. Wells made the cut, but after the third compete with the world’s best golfers,” Wells said. “It’s round, he was in 29th place – outside the top 20 that a great opportunity and I’m excited to share this experi- would be granted spots at the PGA Championship. After ence with my family and friends who will be there, too.” completing the front side at 1-under par, Wells birdied Wells played golf collegiately at the College of 10 and 11 before making eagle on the 12th and one more William and Mary, where he earned a bachelor of busi- birdie on the 17th. His final round score of 66 was the ness administration degree in marketing. After moving to lowest of the day. His caddy was Chris Black, a Cypress Southwest Florida, he competed professionally on the Lake club member and board member. West Florida Golf Tour for a few years before becoming Wells, a member of the South Florida PGA, has fina full-time teaching professional, first at a driving range ished strong at several recent events, including a third-
place finish at the 2022 South Florida PGA Section Championship, fourth at the 2021 Florida State Open and third at the 2021 National Assistant PGA Professional Championship. “Going into the back nine, I knew that I’d need a run to finish in the top 20,” Wells said of his performance at the PGA Professional Championship. “After a birdie, birdie and eagle on consecutive holes, I knew my form was strong and I just needed to keep making aggressive swings to hit my targets. After reaching the green in two shots on the 18th hole, I was finally able to relax and enjoy what I'd just accomplished. It was by far the most important nine holes of my career.” Wells earned a $21,000 payday for his 7th place finish. The PGA Championship will be held May 18-21 at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester. Early estimates are calling for upwards of 200,000 fans to come through the gates at Oak Hill, but Wells takes comfort in the fact that family and friends will be by his side, including his caddie and childhood friend, Daryl Chappell. “I teach for a living, so being able to take a week to play in the PGA Championship with my family there is incredible,” Wells said. “If I hit the ball well and make my putts, hopefully I’m in a position to make the cut after the second round, and that would be quite an accomplishment playing alongside the best golfers in the world.”
Fort Myers Beach Bulletin
Recreational harvest of snook in Gulf state and federal waters closed The recreational harvest of snook in Gulf state and federal waters closed May 1 and will reopen on Sept. 1, 2023. This
seasonal harvest closure occurs during peak snook spawning in the Gulf and is a management tool that helps to conserve
Florida’s valuable snook populations for anglers today and for generations to come.
Keep up-to-date with saltwater and freshwater fishing regulations on your phone with the Fish Rules App.