Golf Central Magazine- Vol 27 Issue 5 Ezine

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With Woods This Beautiful Lining Our Fairways, You Just Might Be Tempted To Aim For Them. Given our 2,087 feet of elevation, fall at Fairfield Glade is more beautiful than most anywhere else in the country. It’s hard to put into words the colorful display you’ll experience on our five Championship Golf Courses. Even out of bounds.

What you feel is beautiful too. Cool, dry fall air that makes golf, hiking, tennis, pickleball, fishing, boating or swimming especially comfortable and fun. Our Stay & Play and Golf Packages make a fall getaway visit to Fairfield Glade Resort beautifully affordable too.

Now the fun begins.

Conveniently located between Knoxville and Nashville, just a few miles from I-40 (Exit 322) For information or reservations, call 888-334-5233 fairfieldgladeresort.com

The Grass Behind the Game.

From iconic venues to Sunday finishes, Celebration® Bermudagrass

helps create the surfaces where great shots happen.

It’s not new. It’s not trendy. It’s trusted. And it’s still showing up on Tour.

Performance that lasts.

EXPLORE CELEBRATION ON TOUR

Cherish the Lifestyle Established more than 35 years ago on a 300-acre orange grove, Boca Grove has transformed into one of Boca Raton’s premier private club communities. Built around a championship golf course originally designed by Karl Litten and later redesigned by Jim Fazio in 2011, Boca Grove blends timeless tradition with an exceptional lifestyle. The course gained national recognition as host of the Quadel Senior Classic, where golf legends Arnold Palmer claimed victories in 1983 and 1984, followed by Gary Player in 1985. Today, the par-72 course continues to offer an unparalleled golf experience, honoring its rich history while embracing the future.

From its roots as a flourishing orange grove to its place as one of South Florida's premier private club communities, Boca Grove remains a destination where tradition, excellence, and lifestyle come together. (561) 487-5300 | www.bocagrove.org

from the publisher

At the Country Club of Winter Haven with last month's Golf Bachelor, Bill Dan Beaver. He garnered more than 25,000 views on our social media post about him.

It’ll Soon Be Here! Every August, National Golf Month celebrates the cherished

sport of golf, bringing together enthusiasts and newcomers alike to appreciate the rich history, camaraderie, and skillful play that defines this timeless game. Golf is more than just a sport - it’s a way of life. National Golf Month is an annual celebration founded in 1993 by the PGA of America to promote golf as an inclusive, accessible, and social sport for people of all ages and skill levels. From the moment the first tee shot is struck, a golfer enters a world of picturesque landscapes, challenging fairways, and the pursuit of perfection. National Golf Month pays homage to this elegant and enduring pastime, inviting individuals to experience the beauty and excitement of golf but, seriously, every month is Golf Month! GCM is mighty grateful to add Gerald White – contributing writer, author, entrepreneur and lifelong advocate for youth and community development. He is the author of “From Us, forward: It Starts at Home and Shapes Everything". He is a member of Central Florida’s Writers and Publishers Guild and ASCAP. Gerald is a former running back at the University of Michigan and played briefly in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins. As an avid golfer, he participates in charity tournaments that support youth Gerald White programs and community organizations. He is a Marketing and Business Consultant, founder of Native Blue Bourbon and proud father of three daughters. We know him and respect him for his faith-based fellowship.

Publisher: Terrie L. Purdum (terrie@golfcentralmag.com) Editor in Chief: Shannon Coates (shannon@golfcentralmag.com) Graphic Design: Melahn Cable Oversight Officer/Uber Driver: Rocky Miller Turf Pirate: Anthony Williams Photojournalist: Greg Corbo Videographer: Ronald Malone Photographers: Lynn Pelham, Brion Price, Peter Hakansson, Mike Coonan, Becky Galloway, Madison Coates, Mac Carraway Senior Correspondent: Rick Harris, Sr. Contributing Writers: Jay Golden, PGA; Bob Bolton, Greg Corbo, Elisa Gaudet, Holly Geoghegan, Mike Jamison, Mike May, Anthony Williams, Ronald Malone, Tim King, Rocky Miller, Dave Walker Editor Emeritus: Joel Jackson, CGCS Retired Regional Partner: Doug Hollandsworth, Founder-Georgia Golf Trail Video Visionary: Amy Fox Business Advisor: Jim Para Media Partners: DSP Media; John Gerber, JP Peterson, Holly Geoghegan, Golf Insiders, GMS; Tony Leodora, George McNeilly, Traveling Golfer, Golf The Wise Way: Greg and Beverly Wise, Photojournalists Golf Central Magazine is published monthly by: Sand Hill Publishing & Public Relations 4313 Berwick Dr, Lake Wales, FL 33859 NEW PHONE: 863.875.6863 E-mail: info@golfcentralmag.com ©2026 Golf Central Magazine. No portion of this publication may be reprinted without the prior written permission of the Publisher. Editorial contributions are welcome, but Golf Central Magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited proposals, manuscripts and photographs. All materials submitted not accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope will not be returned. Mailing, electronic mailing or faxing of contributions constitutes an expressed warrant on the part of the contributor that all material is original and does not infringe on the rights of others. Golf Central Magazine retains all reprint rights and reserves the right to edit any submitted material to meet our specifications for publishing and or use in advertising or promotion. The Publisher and staff are not responsible for any loss or grievance by any person or persons whatsoever, due in any way or in part to the content of this publication. The Publisher reserves the right to refuse to accept any material deemed inappropriate or in bad taste.

As Fleetwood Mac would sing, Don’t Stop… If you wake up and don’t want to smile If it takes just a little while Open your eyes and look at the day You’ll see things in a different way Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow Don’t stop, it’ll soon be here!

2009 North Florida PGA Amateur of the Year 6

Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

CHAMPIONS

ON THE COAST OCTOBER 9–11 THE OCEAN COURSE • HAMMOCK BEACH GOLF RESORT & SPA

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9

FURYK Foundation Concert

FEATURING BILLY CURRINGTON

FOR TOURNAMENT AND CONCERT TICKETS, VISIT

CONSTELLATIONFURYKANDFRIENDS.COM

Volume 27, Issue 5

Building the Game 34 Tripp Davis & Associates

Cart Girl 14 Megan Fowler– Mystic Dunes Golf Resort

VisitSPC.co

Departments

FEATURE 10 Festivals of Speed

m

18 Product Showcase: The Putter Pages 22 Cuisine on the Green 36 Georgia Golf Trail 38 Georgia Golf Central 48 NFPGA 49 GAPGA 50 SFPGA

Fore Your Health 12 Physiogolf Golf Bachelor 26 Trevor Freeman Golf Bachelorette 24 Molly Michalak Golf Travel 40 Nancy Lopez Golf Adventures

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Improving Performance 42 AVA Golf 44 Shot Scope

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Feature Ar ti

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cle Pg 10

Special Events 46 JAGA 47 CMAA Stay & Play 16 Reynolds Lake Oconee 28 Trump National Doral Turf Life 52 Turf Pirate’s Journal 54 NorthBridge Bermudagrass 56 Brian Seltzer 58 GCSAA – Thank a Golf Course Super Day

golfcentralmag.com 18

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LIFE SPECTACUL AR

BAHAMAR.COM

S e t o n a p r i s t i n e w h i t e s a n d b e ach, B aha Mar p e r f e c t l y b a l a n c e s a n a r ra y of spe ct acul ar e x p e r i e n c e s w i t h l u x u r i o u s rel ax at i on i n t he p u re C a r i b b e a n s u n s h i n e . E x qui si t e di ni ng experiences

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A LUXURY OF CHOICE

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Mission Resort & Club, Howey in the Hills.

October, 25th.

World Equestrian Center, Ocala: Legends of Stuttgart.

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Coachman Park, Clearwater. Legends of Stuttgart. Porsche only.

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Festivalsofspeed.com | 352.406.9325

fore your health

The Wellness Golf Revolution: Swing Smarter, Play Pain-Free By Chiara Cantone

pattern without overloading the

For many golf enthusiasts, the

musculoskeletal structure. The

pursuit of the perfect swing

result? A smoother, more powerful

often comes at a cost: lower

swing that protects your joints

back stiffness, golfer’s elbow, or

instead of destroying them.

persistent shoulder discomfort.

To help players take control of

All too frequently, players ignore

their physical longevity on and

these “minor aches,” dismissing

off the course, I have synthesized

them as a natural byproduct of the

these decades of hands-on

game. However, neglecting early

expertise into my latest book, Golf

warning signs can lead to long-

& Body. This comprehensive guide

term biomechanical imbalances

serves as an essential manual

and severe injuries that take you off the course entirely. The secret to a longer, better, and pain-free golfing life lies at the intersection of sports science and golf instruction. As a certified physical therapist with over twenty years of clinical experience and a PGA Golf Instructor, I have dedicated my career to bridging the gap between healthcare and the fairways. Through my platform, PhysioGolfMarbella®, we deliver off line and on line, 360-degree elite wellness care, physiotherapy, osteopathy, and specialized functional training directly to golfers. True athletic optimization requires an integrated approach. This is why I cofounded the Less Is More Golf Method®, a revolutionary, doctor-endorsed training methodology. By blending advanced neuroscience, biomechanics, and intuitive technique, this system helps players achieve maximum efficiency in their movement 12

for the modern golfer, offering Chiara Cantone

practical strategies to identify hidden mobility restrictions, prevent standard swing flaws caused by physical limitations, and implement highly targeted routines for optimal recovery. Whether you are a competitive player looking to increase your clubhead speed or a recreational golfer aiming to enjoy the game well into your golden years, remember my professional motto: Feel better, Live and Play better. Your body is your most valuable piece of golf equipment—it’s time to train, protect, and treat it with the care it deserves. Chiara Cantone is also an award-winning international author, pioneer in golf wellness worldwide.

Discover more or book a personalized consultation at www.physiogolfmarbella.com IG @physiogolfmarbella LinkedIn Chiara Cantone Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

Fall Golf in the Blue Ridge Mountains 36 HOLES. TWO COURSES. ONE MOUNTAIN GETAWAY. Leave the heat behind for cooler days in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, along the shores of beauuful Lake Lure. Play a round or two, hit the trails, get out on the lake, grab dinner and stay awhile.

Stay & Play Package from $367*

2 NIGHTS | 2 ROUNDS | AMENITY ACCESS *Weekday specials are eligible for any combinaaon of Sunday through Wednesday nights only. Rates include all taxes and fees and are based on full occupancy (four players in a two-bedroom villa or two in a one-bedroom studio.) Addiional rounds are available upon request. Some exclusions may apply.

Discover more at RumblingBald.com

or call (828) 694-3015 to plan your getaway.

cart girl With a portfolio of more than 200 resorts worldwide, Orlandobased Hilton Grand Vacations is the premier vacation ownership and experiences company. Mystic Dunes, a Hilton Vacation Club, is a standout destination in Central Florida and the company’s only golf resort in the area, featuring a championship 18-hole course and year-round resort experiences for members and guests. Where did you grow up? Little Rock, Arkansas Do you enjoy playing golf? Yes. Are there any golfers in your family? Yes — especially my husband. He’s an avid golfer and never passes up an opportunity to get out on the course. What do you feel makes this club special? The beautiful course, welcoming atmosphere and dedicated team members are what make Mystic Dunes truly special. As HGV’s only golf resort in Central Florida — located in one of the nation’s premier golf destinations — Mystic Dunes, a Hilton Vacation Club, offers a unique experience for members, guests and team members. From championship-caliber golf to great food, refreshing drinks and an inviting clubhouse, it’s a place where work and play come together seamlessly.

n a g e M Fowler

What is your favorite part of being a cart girl? What is your least favorite part? My favorite part is meeting people from all over and helping make their day on the course more enjoyable. My least favorite part is working in inclement weather. If you weren’t a cart girl, what would you be doing? I’d probably be working in customer service or hospitality. I enjoy interacting with people, building connections and helping create positive experiences. Whether greeting guests, solving problems or making someone’s day a little better, I’m happiest in roles where I can work with people and provide great service. What is your most memorable moment working as a cart girl? My most memorable moments as a cart girl have come from getting to know the regular golfers. Building relationships with familiar faces and hearing the funny stories they share on the course has made the job especially rewarding. What is the funniest thing you’ve ever seen on the golf course? Watching a golfer celebrate a great shot, only to realize it was the wrong ball! What hobbies do you enjoy? Visiting the Disney parks, spending time with family and friends and enjoying the outdoors. Favorite type of movie? Comedy and feel-good movies. What else would you like for us to know about you? I’m grateful for the opportunity to work at Mystic Dunes, a Hilton Vacation Club and connect with new people every day. I enjoy creating positive experiences for golfers and believe a friendly attitude, welcoming smile and willingness to help can go a long way. No matter the day, I strive to bring that energy to the course and make every member and guest experience a little more enjoyable. 14

Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

stay & play

Reynolds Lake Oconee Launches Fall Sweepstakes The Oconee Course Hole#18

It’s back! The annual Reynolds

Lake Oconee Sweepstakes is now open, with the once-in-a-lifetime grand prize of a four-day, threenight experience at the renowned Georgia golf resort community. The winner of the “Fall for Reynolds Lake Oconee Sweepstakes” will receive an incredible getaway valued at nearly $15,000 that includes roundtrip domestic airline for four passengers to Atlanta HartsfieldJackson Airport; three nights’ lodging (two rooms) at The RitzCarlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee; ground transportation during stay; an afternoon at Sandy Creek Sporting Grounds; full culinary and dining experiences; golf for four at Richland, designed by golf course architect Tom Fazio; and a spa experience for each guest at the Richland Pointe Spa. Full details are available on the sweepstakes website. Among the exclusive benefits the winner and guests will enjoy is the Reynolds Lake Oconee Chefs’ Showcase, where the community’s culinary team showcases its creativity, craftsmanship, and passion for hospitality. The community’s eight restaurants will provide creations from their signature menus, paired with a selection of acclaimed wines from Cakebread Cellars. Sweepstakes entries will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 3. The grand prize winner will be randomly

16

Grand-Prize Winner and Three Friends Will Experience a Dream Getaway

selected from all eligible entries and announced on Friday, September 18. Winner and guests must travel on the same itinerary on the dates specified by sponsor; no alternative dates are available. Entry forms, rules and prize details are available at https:// www.reynoldslakeoconee. com/reynolds-insidersweepstakes. There is a limit of one entry per person. Entrants must be residents of the United States and at least 21 years of age. No purchase is necessary. Eligible persons who signed up for Reynolds Insiders during the sweepstakes period will be automatically entered.

Sandy Creek Sporting Grounds

The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

Nobody makes golf clubs the way we do. Period.®

The Longest and Fastest Driver on Tour* #1 Iron in Distance Testing* Thousands of

5-Star Reviews

But the Only Score That Will Ever Matter Is Yours. We’re obsessed with one thing: helping golfers play better. The proof is everywhere. Now find out what it means for your game.

P XG . C O M / T H E S C O R E | 8 4 4 . P L AY. P XG *Based on Aldrich Potgieter’s 2026 PGA TOUR ShotLink rankings in Driving Distance (329.4 yds avg.) and Ball Speed (190.24 mph) as of July 12, 2026. The use of any trademarks is for reference purposes only and does not imply endorsement by their respective owners. *Rob McGarr, “We tested 81 golf irons - and this one went 10 yards longer than anything else,” Today’s Golfer, July 2, 2026. The use of this article for reference purposes only and does not imply any affiliation with its publisher.

product showcase

Chamber Putters

Miura Golf KM-008

Chamber Putters Brings a New Perspective to Putting with the Justice Mallet and A-LOC System Putting has always been a game of confidence, but confidence starts with knowing you’re actually aimed at the target. Chamber Putters believes that’s where most golfers struggle and has developed a system designed to solve the problem before the stroke begins. The Chamber Justice Mallet and A-LOC (Alignment Laser Optic Confirmed) System combine laser-confirmed alignment, customizable visual technology, and extreme perimeter weighting into a single platform that works with a golfer’s vision rather than against it. At the heart of the system is a compact laser that attaches behind the putter face, providing immediate feedback on alignment. Chamber Putters cites research showing that fewer than one percent of golfers set up accurately at address. By confirming alignment before every stroke, golfers can eliminate guesswork and build confidence over the ball. The A-LOC System also includes ten interchangeable alignment guides featuring different colors, shapes, and line configurations. Golfers can experiment to discover which visual combination best complements their natural tendencies, creating a personalized setup that promotes consistent alignment and improved accuracy. The Chamber Justice Mallet completes the package with a design that places nearly 90 percent of the clubhead’s weight into the heel and toe through extensive tungsten weighting. The result is exceptional stability, increased forgiveness, and a sweet spot that effectively spans the entire face, helping golfers start more putts on their intended line. The system retails for $700.

Miura Golf, manufacturer of the world’s most meticulously designed golf clubs, recently celebrated the return of one of the most iconic designs from the company’s illustrious past: the KM-008 putter. The putter is being produced in limited quantities, with no additional production planned once the initial allocation sells out. Originally released in 2015, the first generation KM-008 was designed by legendary company founder Katsuhiro Miura. He designed it to preserve the purity of the putting stroke without sacrificing feel and control. The current iteration of the KM-008, the first in more than a decade, uses the same manufacturing process as the original. Every detail is meant to create confidence on the greens and encourage a more intuitive relationship between player and putter. The putter features the iconic red Hanko stamp which identifies it as a Miura-san original design and also marks the end of the KM design line. The KM-008 is milled from premium Japanese SUS303 stainless steel which has long been regarded as one of the premier materials for high-end putter manufacturing. Valued for its corrosion resistance and soft acoustic feedback, SUS303 delivers a refined feel at impact and the consistency demanded in premium putter design. Players who prefer a clean look at address and are seeking a consistent stroke will appreciate the KM-008’s classic toe-weighted blade profile and 350-gram head which provides added stability. The KM-008 has 3° Loft, 71° Lie, a Satin Nickel finish, is available with either a standard or midsize grip and retails for $1,250.

www.thechamberputter.com

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www.miuragolf.com

Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

Breakthrough Golf ParadoxTM Putter Breakthrough Golf’s Paradox™ Putter: The Only Putter with Swing Balance Technology™ that Fights to Stay Square The Breakthrough Golf Paradox™ Putter redefines putting performance by introducing Swing Balance Technology™, making it the only putter engineered to fight to stay square throughout the stroke. While most zero-torque putters focus solely on positioning the center of gravity directly beneath the shaft, Paradox goes beyond conventional design by aligning the putter’s Principal Axis™ with the golfer’s natural putting motion. This dynamic alignment works much like the alignment of a car, helping the putter remain smooth, stable, and square from takeaway to impact. Unlike traditional putters that emphasize center of gravity, weight distribution, or face balancing, Paradox is designed to optimize how the putter behaves dynamically during the stroke. Its distinctive high-toe, low-heel profile is far more than a unique appearance—it strategically positions mass to reduce unwanted twisting and promote consistent face control for more accurate, repeatable putts. Paradox also delivers stability through its complete system design. The center-shafted putter head is paired with Breakthrough Golf’s proven Stability™ Tour Shaft, reducing unwanted shaft movement while the head resists rotation. Together, they create exceptional control, forgiveness, and consistency on the greens. Available in both blade and mallet models, the Paradox features a CNC-machined aluminum frame with a milled face, steel weights, a midsize non-taper grip, and adjustable loft and lie settings. Retailing for $699.99, Paradox is the only putter designed to self-align, adapting to the golfer rather than forcing the golfer to adapt.

PXG One & Done ZT The name says it all. The PXG One & Done ZT is a highstability mallet engineered to help golfers simplify face control and produce a more consistent start line on the greens. Designed around PXG’s innovative Zero Torque technology, it combines a new onset hosel configuration, hollow-body construction, advanced face milling, and perimeter weighting to naturally resist twisting throughout the stroke. The result is exceptional stability, improved consistency, and greater confidence on every putt. The PXG One & Done ZT is available for custom fittings at PXG retail stores and authorized fitting locations nationwide.

www.PXG.com

www.breakthroughgolftech.com

Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

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product showcase

Performance Golf RS1 Putter – The Next Era of Putting For nearly a century, putter design followed one rule: put the weight behind the face. It worked well enough, but it left golfers with a problem no amount of practice fully solves — face drift. Rear weighting encourages the face to flop open on the backstroke, so every putt becomes an exercise in timing, rotating the face back to square at exactly the right instant. Zero-torque putters were the first real answer. They neutralize the head so it hangs without twisting, which removed the equipment’s contribution to the problem — but still left face control to the player. The RS1 from Performance Golf goes a step further. Its Forward Axis Weighting places more than 75% of the 360-gram head in front of the shaft axis, shifting the center of gravity ahead of where the club hangs. The result is a putter that doesn’t just stay neutral, it works for you: gravity pulls the face toward square rather than away from it. Pull it back, let it fall. Designer Chris McGinley — three decades of club design, work with 11 world No. 1 players — built every component around that principle. Ten precision pieces in all. A 74° upright lie angle shortens the stroke arc. A carboncomposite crown and aluminum T-Wing tail pull mass out of the back so it can live up front. The shaft sits behind the face for an unobstructed look at address. RS1 $399, RS1+ $429. Right and left hand, 35”. Conforms to the Rules of Golf. 365-day guarantee.

www.performancegolf.com

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Scott Golf – The Woody In a market dominated by ultramodern putter designs, Scott Golf is taking a different approach with The Woody, a premium putter that blends modern performance with handcrafted artistry. Designed for golfers who appreciate exceptional craftsmanship and distinctive design, The Woody stands apart thanks to its patented natural wood face inlay. Each putter is handcrafted with a 1020 carbon steel forged face paired with a precision-milled wooden inlay. The result is a softer, more responsive feel than traditional metal or polymer inserts, helping golfers achieve enhanced touch and distance control on the greens. To ensure longterm durability, the wood is stabilized against moisture and finished using a vacuum-sealed epoxy process that preserves both its performance and natural beauty. What truly makes The Woody unique is that no two putters are exactly alike. Every piece of wood features its own distinctive grain pattern, and each putter becomes a one-of-a-kind creation. Whether displayed in a collection or trusted during competitive rounds, it offers golfers a level of individuality rarely found in modern equipment. Whether playing Pebble Beach or St. Andrews, our golf clubs are made to provide performance with a design as iconic as the clubs played on. Priced at $849, The Woody is available in eight premium wood options, including Maple, Blackwood, Ironwood, Tamarind, and Burl, allowing golfers to choose a style that reflects their personality while enjoying a truly distinctive putting experience.

www.scottgolf.com

Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

cuisine on the green

Chef Duane Keller– Belle Meade Country Club

“Giving back, giving back, giving back. Everything is for the next generation.” — CHEF DUANE KELLER

Photos by Diana DeLucia, Founder of Golf Kitchen Magazine

Beginning his journey working

in the kitchens of greats such as Gerhard Ehler of Vancouver, Chef Keller went on to become one of the premiere chefs in the Washington, D.C. Metro Area and has now brought his expertise to Belle Meade Country Club in Thomson, GA. In the kitchen, experience speaks for itself, and Chef Keller has it in spades. With more than 25 years of experience in offering exceptional cuisine at fine-dining establishments, from the tables of presidents to tables of four, Chef Keller strives to create memorable experiences wherever he cooks. Dedicated to his creative process and armed with expansive culinary knowledge, Chef Keller works tirelessly to push the envelope and deliver the best service possible. Introducing the techniques of classic European kitchens to new ingredients, Keller’s repertoire is ever-evolving-- a practice that has earned him great renown and international recognition; including the James Beard Foundation Certificate , the DiRona Award (Sarasota, FL), the Gold Spoon Award (Four Star Delta Bow Inn, Calgary), the Red Seal Award (Emerald Park, Vancouver), the Wine Spectator Award, and the C.C.A. Chef of the Year Award. His pursuit of excellence is relentless. As Chef Duane likes to put it: “You’re only as good as the last dish you put out.”

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https://bellemeade.cc

Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 4

This was my #1 signature dish in the DC Metro for 2 decades. I would buy whole Chilean Sea Bass and break them down. We serve the 6 ounce portion (very rich and buttery) on Lobster Mashed potatoes with Roasted Baby Beets and a simple Lemon Buerre Blanc. Ingredients: 4 each six ounce portions of Chilean Sea Bass 1 cup Japanese Bread Crumbs 2 ounces of prepared horseradish 2 ounces of AA unsalted melted butter 2 ounces of chopped flatleaf parsley 2 ounce of very fine cut chives 2 cups of your favorite buttery mashed potatoes 1 cup of cooked Lobster meat, large diced 12 each Roasted Baby Beets, assorted colors, tops on ½ Cup of Lemon Buerre Blanc

Horseradish Crust Procedure: Place Bread Crumbs in a stainless steel bowl. Add horseradish, chopped parsley and mix well. Add melted butter at the end and mix well. Set aside. Lobster Mashed Potatoes procedure: Heat the cooked lobster in a sauce pot with a TBSP of butter. Add mashed potatoes and chives and stir well. Serve on the bottom of the fish. Lemon Beurre Blanc Procedure: Take 4 ounces of good chardonnay or chenin blanc and add juice of lemon. Place over medium high heat and reduce by 80%. Remove from heat and gently incorporate 4 ounces of room temperature butter. Season with salt and pepper. Plating Procedure: Season fish with salt and ground white pepper. In a hot pan sear both sides and remove. Place seared fish on a baking sheet and Cover generously with the Horseradish Crust. Place in a pre heated 350 degree oven and bake until fish is done and crumb is golden brown (approximately 15 - 16 minutes). Remove and place on the lobster mashed potatoes. Garnish with Roasted Baby Beets, Lemon Buerre Blanc and Chives.

Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

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golf bachelorette

What do you do for a living? I’m the founder of Bherdy Golf, a women’s golf apparel brand where we put the “her” in birdie. We design apparel that’s as functional as it is stylish, because women shouldn’t have to choose between the two. Where can people find Bherdy Golf and what clubs are you currently in? Bherdy Golf is available online at www.bherdygolf.com, shipping nationwide, and also carried in select pro shops and private clubs including BallenIsles Country Club, Feather Sound Country Club, Cove Cay Golf Club, Mainlands Golf Course, Pinnacle Golf Club, and more. We are continuing to expand through women’s golf communities, member guest events, and club partnerships across Florida and beyond.

What golf apparel do you like to wear? I’m definitely biased, but Bherdy. We created pieces I actually wanted to wear: modern, functional, and cute enough to wear long after the 18th hole. Plus, our patented skort holds your tees, golf balls, and magnetic ball marker, so you can leave the overstuffed pockets behind. What else would you like for us to know about you? I started Bherdy because I wanted women to feel confident, comfortable, and included in golf. My goal has never been just to sell apparel, it’s to make more women excited to get out on the course. If someone picks up a club because they discovered our brand, that’s a win in my book. And if they happen to make a birdie while wearing Bherdy... even better. Where were you born? Did you grow up there? Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio... but I’ve fully embraced my Florida girl era. Sunshine, palm trees, golf year-round, and no winter coats, I don’t think I could ever go back. Aside from golf, what do you prefer for fun and relaxation? Traveling, especially internationally. I love experiencing different cultures, meeting new people, and trying foods I can’t pronounce. I just got back from Ireland, and I’m already planning my next trip. Whom do you most admire for their inner and outer beauty? My mom. She’s the strongest, most selfless person I know, and she’s taught me that confidence and kindness never go out of style. Tell us about your first kiss. It was an eighth-grade dare... upside down, like SpiderMan. Tough act to follow. Tell us something about yourself that only your closest friends know. I’m a terrible driver... and unfortunately, I’m talking about my car, not my golf game.

Molly Michalak

What would you like to do for a living? Exactly what I’m doing now, just on a much bigger scale. My dream is to take Bherdy around the world and build a community of women who love golf as much as I do.

What type of person are you looking for? Someone who is equally motivated in their own life and passionate about what they do. I love being around people who have their own drive and goals, but still make time for golf, travel, and having fun. A good sense of humor is non-negotiable. Life is already challenging enough, so the right person should add peace, laughter, and adventure to it, not complication. What do you find to be the most annoying habit people demonstrate on the golf course? Playing slow. Ready golf exists for a reason, let’s all agree five-hour rounds should be optional. What do you fear the most? Looking back one day and wondering, “What if?” What three people would you most like to play with in your fantasy golf foursome? Nelly Korda, Jacob Elordi, and Alix Earle. What are some of your great accomplishments? Launching two businesses (Bherdy Golf and Stashpouches), shooting under par, and playing college volleyball. News, current events: hardcopy or online? Online. I try not to consume too much news, I’d rather spend my energy on things I can actually control. Favorite charity to support? I love supporting organizations and golf communities that introduce more women and junior golfers to the game. Golf has opened so many doors for me, and I’d love to help do the same for others.

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Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

golf bachelor

special soul, a very giving hard working person, that seemed to mirror Jimmy Stewart the actor and his life to an absolute tee. I miss him dearly. I hope I am an embodiment of his soul. Steak, chicken, or seafood? Steak, seafood, chicken! In that order! I am a mad scientist with a steak and fish, experimenting with different cooking techniques and seasonings. Tell us something about yourself that only your closest friends know. If I tell them I will do ‘this’ or ‘that’ at ‘this time’, I will always be there consistently. I never want to leave anyone hanging at my expense. What do you find to be the most annoying habit people demonstrate on the golf course? People who don’t take care of the golf course (raking bunkers, fixing/filling divots/ball marks) and are too busy to look beyond their own shadow for on-course etiquette! Name the three most important things to you in this world. Family Values, Hard Work, and Truth - to me a complete and impenetrable defense. Favorite Poem: “Do not go gentle into that good night” – by Dylan Thomas . What do you fear the most? Fear of being alone at your biggest time of need and fear of not being able to provide for someone you love more than the world itself. What three people would you most like to play with in your fantasy golf foursome? My Dad, Payne Stewart, Tiger Woods (2000). What are some of your great accomplishments? Persevered thru life’s darkest challenges from the most ‘stuck’ of places, buying a house, planning and starting a business venture.

Where were you born? Did you grow up there? I was born in Newport Beach California, 1989. But, I grew up in Carthage, Missouri, which is a town of about 10,000 where golf was the second biggest sport next to football. Moved to South Florida in 2015. What do you do for a living? Small Business Owner, Pursuer of Life’s Challenges, Tour Player Consultant, High Performance PGA of America Professional Instructor and Club Fitter. What would you like to do for a living? Own multiple small businesses and ventures and invest in the local population. Had to put “being a jet fighter pilot” aside. Aside from golf; what do you prefer for fun and relaxation? Mini-drive vacations for a 2-day stint to a destination that leaves behind the anxiety that comes with owning a business; sitting in peace on a park bench listening and watching the Earth in front of me. If not, then I’m a huge movie buff. What golf apparel do you like to wear? Wolf Greyson, Robert Graham, Levelwear, and currently favoring linen slacks on the golf course. Whom do you most admire for their inner and outer beauty? I wish my grandfather could have lived forever, he was a 26

Movies:…comedy, drama, action, romance? Comedy! But I’m a sucker for Nolan films- deep character driven stories, and even cooler if they are true stories. Favorite television channel? Golf Channel, I’m pretty sure my organs will be donated to the Golf Channel when I die, says so on the back of my license. Last book you read? The Great Triumvirate- The Story of Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, and Byron Nelson from the same era and how they came to be. Favorite charity to support? We did a special presentation for a young man in the area through the UNITED WAY locally here. We were able to connect with him and his family and have the opportunity to give him a set of golf clubs and amenities that go with it, along with having a place to train for free - The Golf Crypt in Port Saint Lucie. That was a very special moment for all involved. What else would you like for us to know about you? I feel as though, and have been told I am a humble; yet hungry, hard-working person, I carry myself to live by example to others - I could be seen as an old soul - I coach accountability into others. This life has given me so much wisdom and foresight to be able to stay militant and driven, in addition to being humorous and at times, an absolute goofball for the soul purpose of entertainment. Never for a second forgetting where I came from. Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

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recognizes—when your swing clicks, when your aim sharpens, when you feel the difference before you see the score. Most vacations offer escape from that pursuit. The Trump Golf Academy offers something far more valuable: measurable mastery, without leaving the course. At Trump National Doral Miami, golf isn’t a backdrop to your stay. It is the heartbeat of transformation. Here, luxury resort living and world-class instruction converge across four championship courses

and an integrated Academy experience designed to accelerate improvement for every skill level, from those discovering the game to competitive scratch golfers refining their craft. Because at Trump, we never settle – not on instruction, not on results, not on your potential. The result is a golf escape unlike any other: one where you return home not just refreshed but fundamentally changed as a player. THE FOUNDATION: INSTRUCTION MEETS TECHNOLOGY Every lesson incorporates

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Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

Trump National Doral Miami Trump Golf Academy

Trump National Doral Miami Trump Golf Academy Indoor Golf Simulator

and technical foundations that translate to lasting results. MULTIPLE PATHWAYS TO MASTERY The Academy’s programming is designed around how real golfers live and play. The signature Sips & Tips Adult Golf Clinic held Wednesday evenings from 6:30–7:30 PM, welcomes players of all levels for instruction followed by a complimentary wine and beer social—a chance to connect with fellow golfers committed to improvement. Junior and High School Development Programs nurture young talent within a championship setting, building confidence and fundamentals that stick. Golf Performance Training addresses the physical demands of the game— strength, mobility, and flexibility that matter most on the course. Private coaching offers one-on-one attention tailored to your goals. The Championship Golf Package weaves together luxury accommodations, breakfast, and personalized instruction into a seamless experience built for transformation. CHAMPIONSHIP COURSES & THE INTEGRATION Four championship courses provide the canvas for your improvement. The legendary Blue Monster—a proving ground for the world’s best golfers— Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

stands alongside three equally compelling layouts. Each offers distinct challenges to test your refined technique and build confidence with every round. What distinguishes the Trump Golf Academy is its seamless integration. Instruction isn’t a side activity; it’s woven into your entire experience. Mornings bring technique refinement. Afternoons deliver championship golf where you apply what you’ve learned. Evenings offer recovery and reflection. Every day builds momentum that extends far beyond your final round. Your stay includes modern suites, premier dining, and spa recovery, because true improvement requires balance between effort and restoration. THE RETURN HOME Most golf vacations end at the airport. The Trump Golf Academy experience follows you home. You depart with a better swing backed by data, reinforced through repetition, and grounded in technique that lasts. You carry the confidence of measurable progress, the muscle memory of world-class instruction, and the certainty that your game has been fundamentally transformed. That is the Academy difference: proof that your improvement wasn’t just vacation fantasy, but genuine mastery, earned on championship fairways, supported by technology and expertise, and ready to show up in every round you play. Never settle for anything less.

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DEER ISLAND G.C. - Situated on the secluded 400-acre Deer Island, amidst the Harris Chain of Lakes, Deer Island Country Club is home to Central Florida’s only island golf course. Designed by Joe Lee, Deer Island is a semi-private, 18-hole golf course offering breathtaking views of Lake Dora and Lake Beauclaire as it carves through the course’s scenic wetlands. Measuring 6,885 from the tips, the course rating is 74 with a slope of 144. Six sets of tees give you plenty of options to match your game to the course layout. Enjoy a bite in the 19th Wave restaurant after your round. We also have a state of the art indoor simulator if you’re looking to fine tune your game. Deer Island is consistently rated as one of Central Florida’s finest. DEERISLANDCC.COM EAGLE DUNES G.C. - Opened in 2003, Eagle Dunes is uniquely known for its picturesque elevation changes and the truest, well maintained putting surfaces in Central Florida. With gently rolling fairways, four sets of tees, and generous landing areas, this layout challenges the pros and regular joes. Eagles Dunes was designed by golf course architect Mike Dasher, member of the ASGCA, whose portfolio includes several recent award-winning course renovations in Central Florida. The 7024-yard, par-72 design was awarded four stars in Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play.” EAGLEDUNES.COM HIDDEN LAKES G.C. - Don’t let this New Smyrna Beach par-69 golf course fool you. Hidden Lakes will surprise and delight you. The course has six par-3s, nine par-4s, and three par-5s to challenge every part of your game. Hidden Lakes winds through large pines and stately oaks along the pristine Turnbull Bay estuary and around beautiful lakes and winding creeks. Expert golfers will enjoy the back tees and have the chance to use every club in the bag. The wildlife loves to play here too including osprey, sandhill cranes, roseate spoonbills and bald eagles. Our practice facility has top quality turf and range balls including our short game area, the “Scoring Zone.” We offer lessons and have four PGA and LPGA instructors on staff. HIDDENLAKESGOLFCLUB.COM KISSIMMEE BAY C.C. - Kissimmee Bay was designed by renowned local architect Lloyd Clifton and opened in 1990. Cut out of a dense majestic forest with oak trees that date back over a century, Kissimmee Bay’s true Florida charm are the stands of stunning cypress trees along its fairways. The par-71 gold tees tip out at 6,830 yards with a challenging slope rating of 132. Kissimmee Bay earned national acclaim when Golf Digest nominated it as one of America’s “Best New Courses.” For the true golfaficionado, the Langley Golf Museum, located inside the clubhouse, showcases a private collection of more than 1000 rare golf artifacts, vintage clubs and memorabilia. In 2024, Kissimmee Bay was honored as “Best Course in Osceola County.” GOLFKISSIMMEEBAY.COM 30

Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

MAYFAIR CC - Opened in 1927, this historic 18-hole municipal course was designed by preeminent golf course architect, Donald Ross. The medium-length par-72 layout stretches to 6,400 yards with a course rating of 68.7 and slope rating of 117. From 1955 to 1958, the Mayfair Country Club was the site of the “Mayfair Inn Open”, a golf tournament on the PGA Tour. Mayfair also hosted the “Sanford Open” on the LPGA Tour in 1959. A new 8,000 sq. Ft contemporary clubhouse opened in 2025. Along with its ‘Wall of Fame’ commemorating much of Mayfair’s history and sports legends who played there in the early days, the clubhouse has a full service restaurant, bar and fully-stocked pro shop. MAYFAIRCC.COM THE PLANTATION AT LEESBURG GOLF CLUB offers two distinct championship courses - Cranes Roost and Otter Creek - in one premier destination. CRANES ROOST is an 18-hole par-71 parkland-style golf course that rolls nicely through the community. It has soft elevation changes not typical of a Florida golf course and plenty of room for a wayward shot. The front nine has five holes that have bordering lakes including the signature ninth hole, a double dogleg par five, that challenges the player to cut off as much as possible or to play it safe. The 6,005 course rating is 68.0 with a slope rating of 118 on Bermuda grass. OTTER CREEK - Tight and tree-lined with Loblolly and Sand Pines, Otter Creek completed a major renovation in late 2023. All 18 greens have been rebuilt and increased to their original size featuring many undulation changes that allow for a fun and challenging golf experience every round. You’ll need your straight shots and a cool head on holes 13, 14, and 15, better known as “Otter’s Revenge.” The 6,264 yard par-72 Otter Creek has a course rating of 70.0 and a slope rating of 127 on Bermuda grass. Arrive early for your tee time and enjoy tuning up your game at our renovated practice area including a new 9000 sq. ft practice putting green and enlarged chipping green. GOLFATPLANTATION.COM REMINGTON G.C. - Remington GC is a strikingly beautiful golf course with its abundant water features, generous landing areas and scenic landscaping. Graced by meticulously kept hardwood trees and graceful palms, the course combines a mix of classic and tropical flora. The four-star, award-winning par-72 course is home to prestigious tournaments year round. Designed by Clifton, Ezell and Clifton, Remington GC measures an impressive 7,111 yards and offers a classic park-like setting where golfers can unplug and truly enjoy a stress-free day on the links. GOLFREMINGTON.COM STONEYBROOK WEST G.C. - Stoneybrook West, is a beautiful blend of the natural landscape of West Orange County creating one of the top public championship courses in the greater Orlando area. The par-72 7100 yard course has dramatic rolling fairways touched by water on fourteen holes, encased by towering berms and strategic bunkering. Stoneybrook West also offers a complete practice area with two practice greens. After your round, stop in at SB PRIME Bar and Grill for a drink or a meal and enjoy panoramic views of the entire course. STONEYBROOKWESTGOLFCLUB.COM

Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

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SWEETWATER GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB - Nestled along Wekiva State Park and dotted with timeless elegance, Sweetwater Golf and Country Club provides a truly memorable experience with each visit. Meandering through the natural splendor of mature oaks and grassy terrain, our 18-hole Course is a 6,238-yard, par-72 championship layout with Tiff-Eagle greens designed to challenge every skill level. To that end, our Course boasts one of the longest par fives in the southeast a 611-yard, tree-lined hole that double doglegs around a beautiful lake. Recent capital improvements that include a stunning new clubhouse featuring the Tuscan Lounge and Grill, provide an upscale semi-private club atmosphere for members and non-members playing or dining at Sweetwater. SWEETWATERGOLF.COM TWIN RIVERS G.C. - Nestled between the Big and Little Econ rivers, Twin Rivers Golf Club offers a scenic 18-hole par-72 championship golf course. We are proud of the consistently great conditions of our golf course. If you want a golf experience unimpeded by development, then Twin Rivers Golf Club is just for you. We have done our best to preserve our natural environment. Twin Rivers Golf Club has been recognized and awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Environmental Planning certificate by Audubon International. TWINRIVERSGOLF.COM VICTORIA HILLS G.C. - Located in Deland, this Ron Garl-designed championship course has received numerous accolades and awards since its opening in 2002, including being ranked 41 in the Top 50 Public Courses you can play by Golf World (2010). Five sets of tee boxes create a challenging, yet fair test no matter your handicap. The course plays to 7,149 yards/142 slope from the tips with some formidable carries over waste areas, ravines, and water hazards. Greenside collection areas, swales and deep bunkers serve to protect the many large, sloping and raised putting surfaces. A good short game is key to scoring well. VICTORIAHILLSGOLF.COM WEKIVA G.C. - Crafted out of a wooded setting and opened in 1972, Wekiva Golf Club features many doglegs bordered by large stands of trees and no parallel fairways. With its Champion Bermuda grass greens and straight-forward layout, Wekiva is an enjoyable experience for the recreational golfer as well as a low-handicapper. A semi-private club that welcomes outside play, this 18-hole, 6,850-yard, par-72 features beautiful oaks, mature pines and palms, rolling fairways, over 80 strategically placed bunkers and gentle mounding that highlights both the fairways and undulating greens. WEKIVAGC.COM ZELLWOOD STATION G.C. - Zellwood Station offers players a special Florida golf experience - hilly terrain, great greens, and very memorable golf holes. Zellwood Station has two distinctive par-4’s that are driveable (264 & 266 yards), offering great hopes for marking an eagle on your scorecard. The ninth, nicknamed “Train Wreck,” will definitely get your attention before making the turn. Holes 12 thru 16 dogleg around a cavernous dry lake dubbed “Crater Junction.” Hit this hazard and it’s all over! The stout par-3, 17th hole, measures 243 yards exceeding any on the PGA TOUR! Fun and wickedly challenging, once you’ve played Zellwood Station, you’ll want to return and conquer it all over again! ZELLWOODGOLF.COM 32

Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

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building the game Tripp Davis and Associates Completes Renovation of The Ranch Course at Florida’s Black Diamond Ranch Tripp Davis and Associates (TDA) was hired back in 2023 to renovate The Ranch Course at Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto, Florida, located an hour north of Tampa. Recognized as one of the premier private golf club communities in the U.S., Black Diamond Ranch features 45 holes of worldclass golf originally designed by Tom Fazio in the mid-1980s. “We are finished with our twophase renovation of The Ranch Course at Black Diamond Ranch with owners Escalante and golf course builder Bobby Holmes,” said Davis. “Our mandate was to enhance the design of the overall course while at the same time doing all the necessary infrastructure work that the course demanded. We installed a much needed new irrigation system and we re-grassed the entire course. Most of the bunkers were old and worn so we wanted to bring those back to life. We removed bunkers that didn’t impact better players but unnecessarily 34

impacted the average to high handicapper. Our work was to make Ranch more strategic, fun and interesting to play. www.blackdiamondranch.com

Davis signs up Hawks Ridge

Hawks Ridge Golf Club north of Atlanta, Georgia has become the most recent club to engage with Tripp Davis & Associates. The Bob Cupp-designed course originally opened in 1999 to widespread acclaim, quickly earning a place among Golf

Digest’s Top 100 golf courses in America. The club is a home base for a number of acclaimed athletes from the Atlanta area. The membership was informed of Tripp’s involvement during the club’s purchase by multi-course owner Escalante Golf, which closed at the end of April. Throughout this time, the club was already working alongside Tripp, which eased the membership’s anxieties around the sale. “When I visited in March, word was already out about my appointment,” says Tripp. Masterplanning began in late March. “A significant portion of the work is small movements in the course, things that can easily be put back together,” he continues. “The plan is to grass as we go, regrassing fairways and completing some reshaping work. The back nine is really special, but the front side needs a little more work. The brief from the club is to enhance what is already there, modernize how it plays and restore the infrastructure”. It is the course’s first renovation since it opened in the 1990s. www.hawksridge.com

Rhythmic design

For many years, Tripp has built his reputation as a golf architect who shapes a substantial proportion of his projects. “I like to shape my own greens if I can find the time, as it gives me better control over the final product,” he says. But shaping greens is a timeconsuming, solitary business, and

Hawks Ridge Hole #16 Sketch Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

though it requires concentration, a shaper also needs to stay relaxed and in a good frame of mind if he is to do the best work. Thus, it is normal for shapers to listen to music while working. Tripp says he believes the choices of tunes does affect the greens that shapers produce. “I think if you listen to very aggressive, punky music while shaping, your greens may end up a little bit reflective of that – aggressive shapes, short lines,” he says. “Similarly, if you like lengthy ambient tunes, maybe your greens will be rather gentle and flowing. I like to listen to things that I can use to focus on the few square feet that are right in front of me, and take my mind off anything else. I listen to a lot of the 1980s bands that I grew up liking – REM, the Cure, the Cult, AC/DC. I do think the rhythms of the music I listen to affect my work. I like greens that have irregular movement to them, and the music I like has irregular rhythms to it – maybe there’s a connection.”

Rhythmic Design

Hawks Ridge Photo Sketch of Proposed #18 Green Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

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georgia golf trail

Georgia State Parks Golf Cup Winners Crowned By Mike May

On Saturday, July 11, 12 two-person

teams gathered at The Lakes Golf Course at Laura S. Walker State Park in Waycross, Georgia to determine the winning team for the 6th Annual Georgia State Parks Golf Cup. The championship round was 27 holes. It was a two-person scramble format. After the 27-hole two-man team scramble finale, the team of Tyler Norris and Michael Morris from Augusta, Georgia emerged as winners. Their score was an impressive 22-underpar (86 strokes). Norris and Morris, both 38, were 14-underpar after the first 18 holes. And, they were eight-under-par for the remaining nine holes. That

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gave the winners a total gross score of 86 (22-under-par). “After the morning 18-hole round, the groups were re-seeded to put similar performing teams together for the final nine holes,” said event director Karl Gross, who is also the director of golf at The Creek Golf Course at Hard Labor State Park in Social Circle, Georgia. As it turned out, the nearest team to Norris and Morris after 18 holes was the same team that they played with in the morning – Erik Bagwell and Davis Bagwell from Atlanta, Georgia. Again, Norris and Morris were 14-under-par, while Bagwell and Bagwell were one shot behind at 13-under-par after 18 holes in the morning.

In the final nine holes that afternoon, Norris and Morris kept peppering the pins and making birdies. When Norris and Morris sunk their final putt on the 27th hole, they finished four shots ahead of the Bagwell twosome and they felt good about their chances of winning. In the end, Norris and Morris won the low gross championship, while Bagwell and Bagwell won the low net title with a 27-hole score of 72. For Norris and Morris, they felt relaxed and confident all day long, though they did get off to a slow start. “We were only three-underpar after six holes,” said Norris. “Then, we got in a groove and we had a great time making many birdie putts. And, we had one eagle. The lower we scored, the more relaxed we were. The great course conditions at The Lakes helped with scoring.” This was the first title in this competition for Norris and Morris who finished in second place in this tournament in 2025. Norris indicated that he and Morris plan to defend their state title in 2027. This 27-hole finale was the culmination of a year-long event where six different qualifying tournaments were held at six of Georgia’s state park golf courses Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

in the spring. Those six state park golf courses were Arrowhead Point GC at Richard B. Russell State Park (Elberton), Wallace Adams GC at Little Ocmulgee State Park (McRae), Highland Walk GC at Victoria Bryant State Park (Royston), Brazell’s Creek GC at Jack Hill State Park (Reidsville), The Creek GC at Hard Labor State Park (Social Circle), and The Lakes GC at Laura S. Walker State Park (Waycross). After each qualifier, the top two teams advanced to the 27hole finale at The Lakes GC. Norris and Morris qualified at Arrowhead Pointe GC while Bagwell and Bagwell qualified at The Creek GC Prior to the tournament, each player in the finals was given a care package from Bridgestone Golf which consisted of a Bridgestone Golf towel, one dozen golf balls from Bridgestone Golf, and a Bridgestone Golf baseball-style hat. Both winning teams (low gross and low net) also earned the Bridgestone Golf Experience, which is an exclusive fitting session that includes customfit clubs, performance gear, and premium Bridgestone product. This event was conducted with the support from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and The Georgia Golf Trail. “The Georgia State Parks Golf Cup continues to showcase what makes golf in our state so special — great courses, great people, and a commitment to growing the game,” said Doug Hollandsworth, Founder, The Georgia Golf Trail. “The Lakes was a wonderful host and the course was in tournament-ready condition.” According to the Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites Division, this event is designed to showcase the quality of Georgia’s public golf facilities in its state parks while giving everyday golfers a chance to compete in a statewide championship. Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

Georgia State Park Golf Cup 2026 Winner Tyler Norris and Michael Morris

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georgia golf central

Getting Cozy on Jekyll Island Story and photos by Greg Corbo

maritime art sprinkled throughout the hotel in colorful ways reminding guests why they came and what’s here on this remote laid back island in the Golden Isles. And there’s location: The lagoon pool and giant-sized whirlpool hot-tub sandwiched between the hotel rear and the beach is a preferred spot to completely unwind, recharge, reflect and press

Cozy, quiet, clean and comfortable.

Choice words to choose from when arranging upcoming vacation accommodations. At the Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton on Historic Jekyll Island, GA., you can circle all the above at this flagship property offering free daily bike rentals -Ride On! There are other notable places to stay on the island, but I keep coming back to the Hampton Inn & Suites for its overall simplistic ambience on the ocean with

reset for where you’ve been and what lies ahead. Kind of a checkpoint, check-over if you know what I mean? When the urge arrives to hit the beach and obey the ocean, the walk is less than 80 steps from the pool up the boardwalk. The rooms are properly spacious with powerful air-conditioning, outdoor balconies and daily servicing. A fitness center and laundry facilities exist if you become entirely enchanted and decide to extend your stay. If you’re running on empty after a full day of random activities ranging from golf to Historic District tours or even the indescribable Driftwood Beach, you can always eat in at the Turtle Nest Bar & Grill in the lobby well equipped to handle thirst and hunger for sun drenched guests on any level. Wake up in the morning to a fully loaded complimentary breakfast buffet and we are all set for another day of relax and recreation on Jekyll Island, Georgia -- where one day and night just isn’t enough. 38

Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

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golf travel

Iceland Delivers an Unforgettable Adventure Nancy Lopez Golf Adventures recently returned from an unforgettable journey through Iceland, where spectacular scenery, unique experiences, and great golf came together to create memories that will last a lifetime. All shared with Hall of Fame member Nancy Lopez who has a way of making everyone feel welcome and valued! Our participants enjoyed championship golf surrounded by dramatic landscapes while exploring Iceland’s breathtaking waterfalls, geothermal wonders, black sand beaches, and world-famous Sky and Blue 40

Lagoons. Every day offered a new adventure and another opportunity to experience the country’s natural beauty. Most importantly, the trip

embodied the Nancy Lopez Golf Adventures Play Happy! Philosophy - bringing people together through golf, laughter, friendship, and a shared sense of adventure. At Nancy Lopez Golf Adventures, nancylopezgolfadventures.com - our mission has always been to combine world-class golf with exceptional travel experiences, personal connections, and the joy of the game. Iceland exceeded every expectation, and we’re grateful to have shared this incredible adventure with such an amazing group.

Until our next adventure… Play Happy! Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

NLGA pros - Sue Powers, Teresa Zamboni, Nancy Lopez and Nancy Henderson Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

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improving performance

AVA Golf: Don’t Just Track Your Game. Change It. For years, golf technology has promised to help players get better. Launch monitors, GPS watches, shot-tracking apps and swing analysis tools have flooded the market, giving golfers more information than ever before. But for many players, one problem remains: knowing what to do with all that data. The new AVA Golf (https://avagolf.com) platform has the answer. Officially launched last month, AVA Golf is designed to transform the performance data golfers already collect into a personalized improvement plan. Rather than asking golfers to invest in another piece of hardware, the platform connects with existing technologies, analyzes performance trends and recommends instructional videos tailored to each golfer’s specific needs. The concept addresses a growing challenge in today’s

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increasingly data-driven game. According to the National Golf Foundation, approximately 40% of regular golfers now use a golf app, creating a wealth of information about everything from driving distance and approach play to putting performance. While those tools excel at measuring performance, they often leave golfers wondering which weaknesses deserve the most attention. AVA Golf’s approach is built around answering that question. “We provide direction, not data,” said JR Charles, founder and CEO of ParOne, AVA Golf’s parent

company. “Golf technology has become incredibly effective at measuring performance, but golfers have still been left asking one simple question: ‘What does that mean for me and my game?’ AVA Golf identifies the areas that have the greatest impact on scoring and delivers a personalized progression plan. That’s our difference.” The platform follows what the company calls a threestep philosophy: Activities. Performance. Improve. It begins by collecting information from rounds and practice sessions through connected technologies (Activities). That data is then analyzed to identify the trends that are having the biggest influence on scoring (Performance). From there, AVA Golf creates a personalized instructional playlist, delivering concise video lessons that focus on the areas where a golfer has the greatest

Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

opportunity to drop shots (Improve). As performance changes over time, those recommendations evolve as well, creating an ongoing development plan instead of a one-time assessment. That personalized approach represents a shift from the traditional model of golf instruction, where players often consume generic tips from YouTube videos or social media without knowing whether the advice actually applies to their games. “Most golfers don’t need more information. They need more clarity,” said Aron Schüler, AVA Golf’s director of engineering. “AVA Golf removes the guesswork by helping golfers understand what’s truly costing them strokes and delivering personalized instruction that gives every practice session a clear purpose.” The quality of that instruction is another key part of the platform’s appeal. AVA Golf launches with an instructional library featuring lessons from many of the game’s most respected teachers. Among them are Golf Digest “50 Best Teachers in America” Cheryl Anderson, GOLF Magazine “Top 100 Teachers in America” Mike Malizia, Jason Birnbaum, who coaches fourtime PGA TOUR winner Chris Gotterup, along with instructors from the PGA TOUR Golf Academy and other nationally recognized teaching professionals. Rather than requiring golfers to search through hundreds of instructional videos in hopes of finding relevant advice, the platform curates lessons based on each individual’s performance profile, helping ensure the right instruction reaches the right golfer at the right time. The launch also reflects a broader trend across golf technology. Instead of creating standalone products that compete for attention, more companies are looking to integrate with the devices and apps golfers already rely on. AVA Golf embraces that philosophy by positioning itself as the layer that connects existing technologies and transforms raw performance metrics into practical coaching. The company is initially onboarding eligible users from its waitlist, with invitations rolling out through the newly launched AVA Golf website. Additional technology integrations are planned, allowing more golfers to connect their preferred devices and expand the platform’s ecosystem over time. For Charles, the long-term vision extends beyond another digital instruction service. “Our vision has never been to build another instruction platform,” he said. “We’re building the platform that helps golfers understand their performance, and know exactly what to work on to get better, faster. We believe that’s the future of game improvement.”

https://avagolf.com Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

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improving performance

Shot Scope Data Deep Dive:

Is Chasing Birdies the Quickest Path to Lower Scores? Very few things in golf are more satisfying than making a birdie. It means – despite how the rest of your round might be going – at least two things in your golf game went really well in succession. A birdie also always delivers a welcome dose of momentum to your scorecard. So, a sensible key to lowering your handicap must be to simply make more birdies, right? Sure, but the reality is that, for most, that’s just easier said than done. According to Shot Scope data, 15 and 20 handicappers both make an unglamorous .36 birdies per round, just a little better than one birdie for every 54 holes played. Anyone in that handicap range expecting to make a birdie every time they go out should stay optimistic - and opportunistic but realize it’s statistically only likely to happen approximately once every three rounds. Even 10 handicappers average less than one birdie per round, .72 birdies per 18 holes. Our single-digit friends, the 5-handicap players, pick up the pace by averaging 1.26 44

birdies per round, which is just slightly better than five birdies for every 72 holes played. Shot Scope data indicates that scratch golfers average an impressive 2.34 birdies holed per round, which is almost twice as successful as the 5 handicappers but well behind the PGA TOUR average of 3.72 (data collected throughout the 2025 PGA TOUR season). The pros simply make breaking par look easy. World No. 1 player Scottie Scheffler led the TOUR by averaging 4.61 birdies per round in 2025. He dropped a staggering 350 birdies over the course of 76 rounds on his way to six wins, including two majors. A 15 handicapper would make about 27 birdies over that same stretch of play. You might be thinking, “My gosh! It would take me 1,000 ROUNDS to make as many birdies as Scottie made in tournaments in 2025!” Close. It would likely take about 972 rounds for a 15 handicapper to reach the 350-birdie mark. Remember the TOUR’s “These Guys Are Good” slogan? The players we watch on TV and from the other

side of the ropes play an entirely different caliber of golf than most of us. But don’t lose hope. WHAT NOW? Remember, we’re only talking about averages here. You’re plenty capable of multiple-birdie rounds and definitely able to increase the number of chances you have to make more birdies. Hitting more greens would definitely give you more birdie opportunities. Scratch handicappers hit 55 percent of their greens in regulation (GIR). That percentage drops to 38 percent for 5 handicappers and 30 percent for 10 handicappers. For 15 and 20 handicappers, the GIR conversion rate drops to 24 and 17 percent, respectively. There’s definitely a correlation to hitting more greens and scoring better, but the reality is recreational players of every skill are going to miss a lot of greens and don’t have a ton of time to work on becoming world-class ball strikers. You probably work for a living and don’t have 10 hours a day to improve your swing or to add 25 percent more distance and Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

accuracy to your shots. What you can do is play smarter with your current skill set and work diligently on the deficiencies in your game. Here are some tips: Hit your drives a distance and direction that lands in the most generous part of the fairway and away from hazards and other trouble. If you’re missing your driver both left and right consistently, take a lesson and try to narrow tendencies down to, at least, a one-way miss that you can play for and use to your advantage. Hit your drives to the side of the hole that gives you the clearest shot to the green (away from sand, water or other obstacles, when possible). To hit more greens, know the approach distances to the front, middle, and back of every green. The Shot Scope G6 GPS Watch is an amazing tool to help you own this data and play to the most

accepting section of the green. Dial in your distance-control on wedge shots from 100 yards and in. Every time you can turn three shots into two, you’re chipping away at a better handicap. Become a better bunker player. Also, work on putts of every length and that break both leftto-right and right-to-left. Tracking your birdies for the season, and trying to beat a particular benchmark, can be fun. Or demoralizing.

What you’ll likely find is that the path to better scores isn’t as much about making more birdies as it is about making easy pars and avoiding disaster. Turning 10-foot par putts into three- or four-foot opportunities can go a long way. Keeping the ball in play versus chasing distance can help. Every player can have a better short game and getting better inside of 100 yards can be a lot of fun to practice. All that said, the satisfaction of holing birdies will always be enticing. So, happy hunting!

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For any questions: Contact - Dave Walker 321-277-9094 • auctionsbydesign02@gmail.com Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

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special events

(L-R) Damon Olinto of Pinnacle Financial Partners, 2026 champion Cameron Reed and Tournament chairman of JAGA Cary Helton

Cameron Reed Captures 65th JAGA Jacksonville Amateur Presented By Pinnacle Financial Partners in Drama-Filled Finale Former Ponte Vedra High School

standout Cameron Reed was the beneficiary of a 54th-hole stumble by rising Tocoi Creek High School junior Ambrose Kinnare, which led to Reed securing a one-shot victory in the 65th playing of the JAGA Jacksonville Amateur Championship presented by Pinnacle Financial Partners at Sawgrass Country Club. With Reed having finished in the second-to-last group at 7-under par, Kinnare strode to the final tee holding a one-shot lead at 8 under. A pulled tee shot that ended up in the water lining the par-5 18th hole initiated a debacle that ended in a double-bogey and a flip of the two names atop the leaderboard, with Reed capturing Northeast Florida’s most prestigious amateur golf title. Entering third-round play, Reed was three shots off Kinnare’s lead, in fifth place. His deficit grew to six shots through the first eight holes before the script began to flip, with Reed reeling off birdies on five of the first seven holes on the back nine, while the leader made bogeys at 9 and 10. Kinnare countered with birdies on 11, 14 and 15. The lead was tied twice during this stretch. The champion opened with 69-71—140 (-4) on the always challenging Sawgrass East and 46

West courses. A closing 69 resulted in a 209 total. The rising Furman University sophomore overcame a first-round quadruple-bogey 8 on his second hole of the championship. Kinnare, the reigning Junior Azalea at Palatka champion, recorded rounds of 67-70-73—210 to hang on to second place. He made a gallant attempt at sinking a 40-foot putt from well off the fringe on the final hole that would have forced a playoff, but it ran four feet by the hole. The driver was Kinnare’s undoing on Nos. 16 and 18. Tee shots with it found water on 16 (bogey) and more trouble on 18. Despite everything, young Kinnare handled his disappointment with class. Reed’s victory had a bit of a silver lining. Last July at Timuquana, he was in second place after two rounds, only to determine after leaving the course that he had signed an incorrect scorecard. He phoned tournament officials, resulting in his disqualification. Reed declared his Jacksonville Amateur Championship win the biggest of his young career. He admitted to feeling “conflicted” while watching Kinnare finish up at 18. I played 52 pretty good holes,” Kinnare said. “It was a good week. Every tournament has

a lesson you can learn.” Rounding out the top five were Maxwell Morgan, a promising 16-year-old from Ponte Vedra High School, at 211, former Jacksonville University Dolphin Will Braude at 212, and Cooper Franklin of Mercer University at 213. Landon Durham and Henry Robards, who were tied for second with Braude after two rounds, both finished with 75 to place T6. Durham is a rising senior at Elon College, while Robards is in the midst of a transfer to Georgia Tech from Mercer University, where he was an All So-Con selection this year. Danny Erickson of the University of North Florida closed with a 71 for an even-par 216 tally and a strong defense of his 2025 title at Timuquana Country Club. He finished T8 along with UNF teammate Luke Balaskiewicz and Ian Lentz. The 2025 and 2026 champions, Erickson and Reed, are proud graduates and former members of state championship teams at Ponte Vedra High School. The day’s hottest round belonged to former UF Gator Toby Ragland, who teed off on the West Course and proceeded to record eight birdies and no bogies through his first 13 holes. A bogey on his 14th hole and a closing triple-bogey seven on his 18th derailed what could have been an historic round. But 68 was pretty darn good! The top-10 players finished at par or better in spite of steady 1020 mph winds that were in effect by the middle of every round. The low individual score was 66 by Durham in the second round.

To review the complete summary of scores: https://jaxareagolf.org/ Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

Christian Emenecker

Nico Degabrielle

The Club Foundation

announces the inaugural recipients of the University of South Carolina Scholarship, a program established in 2026 to support current students and alumni of the University of South Carolina who are pursuing careers in club management. Initiated by generous donors of The Tree Farm, a golf club located just outside of Aiken, SC, this scholarship fund was inspired by the value of connections between higher education and the club management profession. Students and emerging leaders benefit when clubs and educational institutions collaborate. The inaugural recipients of the 2026 University of South Carolina Scholarship are: Nico Degabrielle; Rising Senior, University of South Carolina and Christian Emenecker; May 2026 Graduate, Food & Beverage Manager in Development, Charlotte Country Club. This innovative scholarship program recognizes the importance of building a strong talent Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

special events

The Club Foundation Names Two Inaugural University of South Carolina Scholarship Recipients

pipeline by providing awardees with flexible benefits tailored to their stage of professional development. Recipients may choose from several options, including tuition assistance for current students, registration and travel expenses to attend the CMAA World Conference, registration and travel expenses to attend the CMAA Leadership/Legislative Conference (LLC), or registration fees for Business Management Institutes (BMI). This flexibility allows recipients to maximize the value of the scholarship

while supporting their continued growth throughout their careers. “Congratulations to our inaugural University of South Carolina Scholarship recipients,” said Jeff Morgan, FASAE, CAE, President and CEO of The Club Foundation and CMAA. “Investing in students and emerging professionals today strengthens the future of the club management profession. We are deeply grateful to generous donors from The Tree Farm whose commitment to developing talent helps ensure the next generation is prepared to lead our industry forward.” The Club Foundation is committed to developing the next generation of club management professionals through scholarships, education, and leadership development opportunities. The University of South Carolina Scholarship reflects that commitment by expanding access to meaningful career experiences and professional education for aspiring club leaders.

Learn more at clubfoundation.org 47

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Sam Brackett, PGA

Brackett takes home the Senior Section Professional Championship title and qualifies for the 2026 Senior PGA Professional Championship; six other NFPGA Members qualify Grasslands Golf & Country Club opened its doors to our NFPGA Members for the 2026 Senior Section Professional Championship, August 3rd – 4th. The course proved to be a terrific layout, challenging players in multiple ways. In the end, Sam Brackett, PGA played stellar golf and took home the championship. Sam’s two-day total of 7-under par included rounds of 69-68, clearing the way for a three-stroke victory. Throughout both rounds, Sam did so many things well tee to green and made it extremely difficult for his competitors to catch him. In 36 holes, he totaled six birdies, one bogey, and an eagle on the par 5 8th hole! Out of the 50-person field, Sam was one of only three people to shoot under par in both rounds. Sam not only won the championship, but he also was amongst the successful qualifiers for the 2026 Senior PGA Professional Championship. This event will be held October 22nd – 25th at Superstition Mountain in Gold Canyon, AZ. The other NFPGA Members that qualified included (Rod Perry, PGA was already exempt): David Hronek, PGA Dan Gage, PGA Keith Kulzer, PGA Gene Walter, PGA Tom Walters, PGA Tim Polce, PGA Congratulations Sam! We wish our NFPGA Members that will be making their way to Arizona in October the best of luck! 48

Sandra Changkija, PGA

Sandra Changkija, PGA wins the 2026 LPGA Professionals Championship; Stephanie Connelly Eiswerth, PGA and Nicole Felce, PGA finish in the top 5 The winner of the 2026 LPGA Professionals Championship came from the NFPGA! Sandra Changkija, PGA outlasted the 43-player field in the Championship Division, July 27th – 29th at the Hermitage Golf Course – President’s Reserve in Old Hickory, TN. The Championship Division included a cut to the low 25 players after two rounds. Sandra, the 2025 NFPGA Section Championship and Women’s Section Championship winner, carded 68-69-73 for a 6-under total. Rounds 1 and 2 is where she started the climb to the top of the leaderboard. She made nine birdies in total in two days! What was more impressive was that she only carded two bogeys in those rounds combined. This steady play helped her secure a two-shot victory. Along with Sandra, the results included two other notable names in the top 5 of the Championship Division. Stephanie Connelly Eiswerth, PGA finished T2 at 4-under par, and Nicole Felce, PGA finished T4 at 2-under par. Congratulations Sandra! We are so proud of what Sandra, Stephanie and Nicole accomplished on this stage! Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

By: Sloan Aubrey

Morgan Ellison

Amateur Morgan Ellison of Peachtree

City successfully defended her title at the 2026 Georgia Women’s Open Presented by Played With Heart and supported by Flyway Hats on The Golf Club of Georgia’s famed Lakeside Course. The 32nd edition of the championship saw Ellison overcome a five-shot deficit entering the final round, firing a bogey-free 7-under-par 65 to become the first player in recent tournament history to successfully defend her Georgia Women’s Open title. Professional Tatum Walsh of Cartersville, Georgia, held the solo lead through the opening two rounds after posting scores of 71 and 69 to sit at 4-underpar entering Wednesday’s final round. Amateur Lili Nelson of Greensboro, Georgia fired the round of the championship during Tuesday’s second round, a 7-under-par 65, to climb into solo second heading into the final day. Ellison, a graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio, entered the week as the defending champion and fresh off winning the 2026 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

Championship. After opening the championship with rounds of 73 and 72, she remained confident there were birdie opportunities waiting on the Lakeside Course. “It is super special,” Ellison said. “At the beginning of the week it crossed my mind that I could defend, but I tried to put that aside and just play my game.” That approach paid off Wednesday. Ellison caught fire with a 5-under-par 31 on the front nine and went on to card seven birdies without a bogey. Her championship-best 65 gave her rounds of 73-7265 and a five-shot victory. “I kind of got it running on the front nine,” Ellison said. “Made some putts, saw some go in and got the confidence going. We were just having a blast out there, and it was really special to be able to enjoy the walk up 18.” Throughout the championship, Ellison once again had her father, Tod, on the bag, recreating the same father-daughter pairing that helped lead her to the title one year ago. Having him alongside her once again made the successful title defense

even more meaningful. “Couldn’t tell you a time he hasn’t caddied for me besides college,” Ellison said. “It means a lot to have him on the bag and to have my mom here this year.” Walsh finished as the Low Professional of the championship. Nelson, who will begin her freshman season at Georgia Southern University this fall, and amateur Madison Rookard of Atlanta, who will be a junior at Georgia State University, tied for second at 1-under-par. Rookard closed with a finalround 69 while playing alongside Ellison in the final pairing. In the Senior Division, contested over 36 holes, amateur Laura Coble of Augusta claimed the championship after rounds of 71 and 72 to finish at 1-underpar. The 2004 Georgia Women’s Open Champion added another chapter to her decorated Georgia golf career by capturing the Senior Division title. Amateur Sarah Gallagher mounted a final-round charge with a 2-under-par 70 but finished just one stroke behind Coble. Georgia PGA Operations Manager Dominic Smith praised the efforts of everyone who helped make the championship a success, stating, “We couldn’t have this championship without our players, so thank you to everyone who competed this week. We’d also like to thank The Golf Club of Georgia and Mr. Kenny for once again hosting us, along with our presenting partner, Played With Heart, supporting partner, Flyway Hats, and everyone who helped make these last three days so amazing.” 49

GA Georgia PGA Georgia PGA Georgia PGA Georgia PGA Georgia PGA Georgia PGA Georgia PG

Ellison Goes Back-to-Back at the 2026 Georgia Women’s Open

outh orth florida PGA north southflorida floridaPGA PGAnorth southflorida floridaPGA PGAnorth southflorida floridaPGA PGAnorth southflorida fl PGAPGA southnortfl

Michael Kartrude Claims The 2026 Stroke Play Championship With Joe Kern Capturing Senior Division Title Michael Kartrude wins at the

third of four South Florida PGA Major Championships, the Bushnell I Foresight Stroke Play Championship, shooting 9-under, played August 4-5 at Trump National Golf Club - Jupiter and BallenIsles Country Club - East Course. In addition to Kartrude, Joe Kern claimed the Senior Division title with a 6-under performance. After the first round, Taylor Collins, PGA Teaching Professional at Coral Ridge Country Club, Andrew Filbert, PGA Assistant Golf Professional at West Bay Golf Club, and Nicholas Tenuta, Teaching Professional at Hobe Sound Golf Club, were tied in first place at 5-under. Tim Cantwell, PGA Teaching Professional at PGA National Golf Club, followed closely behind 50

at 4-under along with Michael Kartrude, PGA Assistant Golf Professional at The Bear’s Club. After nine holes were completed in the second round, Cantwell held a narrow one-stroke lead over Collins. While Collins remained steady on the back nine, Lost Tree Club Assistant Professional Brant Peaper caught fire, carding backto-back birdies to tie Collins for the lead. Peaper eventually pulled away, finishing his final round at Trump National Golf Club Jupiter at 8-under. However, over at BallenIsles, Kartrude mounted a late charge after an hour-long weather delay. With Peaper in at 8-under, Kartrude holed out the short par-4 15th and made eagle, then followed up with a birdie on the par-5 17th, which catapulted him into the lead by one shot with

one hole remaining. By making par on the final hole, Kartrude finished his round at 5-under and claimed the two-day championship with a final score of 9-under par. “I knew exactly where we were on the leaderboard,” Kartrude said, reflecting on the final stretch. “After the hour-long weather delay, I knew exactly what we needed to do.” After stringing together multiple top-5 finishes over the year, this marks Kartrude’s first individual victory on the Section Schedule for the 2026 season, with his last win being the 2025 South Florida PGA Section Championship. Kartrude states, “I just think that this section is getting better and better. The guys here are getting better and better. South Florida is such a hotbed, so to Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

win one of the majors on this schedule makes me proud.” With the 5-under second-round performance, Peaper managed the runner-up spot, and Filbert, Tenuta, and Zachary Wood, PGA Caddie at The Seagate Country Club, rounded out the top five at 6-under. Senior Division In the Senior Division, Joe Kern, PGA Director of Golf at Mangrove Sands Golf Club, managed a twoday total of 6-under to win the Senior title by one over Justin Hicks, PGA Teaching Professional at Stonebridge Country Club. With this win, Kern managed his first victory of the 2026 South Florida PGA season, with his last win coming from the 2023 Pro-Junior Championship. Paul Scaletta, PGA Teaching Professional at The Bears Club, Mark Brown, PGA Teaching Professional at Stuart Yacht and Country Club, and Cantwell rounded out the top five at 4-under. Additionally, Brown carded an ace on the fourth hole at BallenIsles Country Club’s East Course during the first round.

Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

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By Anthony L. Williams, CGCS, CGM, MG

A Turf Pirate's Journal $ Sod and Rocks at Turf Pirate HQ $

Rock Round Up 2026

Greetings Turf Pirates from

the almost completed Galactic Headquarters of the Ancient and Honorable Tribe of Turf Pirates. It is the heart of summer, so I am traveling a lot and visiting a lot of golf courses, I am also connecting to a lot of Turf Pirates. If you have not heard through the turf grapevine, allow me to update you all as my role with Invited Clubs has clanged a bit. I am now the Regional Vice President of Agronomy serving the Southeast Region covering Invited Clubs in Georgia, North and South Carolina and Florida. My high-level travel status should be secure. I am usually on the road about 210 nights a year, so I also qualify as a Turf Gypsy. That said, we all need a place to call home and if you are an avid reader of our journal, you know that I promised a few pictures from the new shop/HQ at the river house. So, we have the first picture this month and it seemed appropriate that it would be of the arrival of the sod. Now the delivery driver wanted a sign put up at the entrance gate and it seemed like a great opportunity to put up our Turf Life banner to show the way. Thank you, Terrie, for hooking me 52

up with the banner and swag. Now I will confess I was not exactly sure what grass we wanted to use at the Galactic Headquarters, so I thought let’s take it up a notch, so I did three Bermuda grasses as to allow a bit of an unofficial turf trial. We chose the legendary 419 Tifway Bermuda, the newer Tiff Tuff Bermuda and that new resilient Bermuda from Oklahoma, the turf artist known simply as Tahoma. We will keep you updated as to the progress and comparison. We had a great day putting down the sod and yes, we all noted that all sod should be green side up. There was another project of note from the Shop/HQ site, the dry creek bed. Shout out to my boss Jay Abbott and my wife Phyllis for coming up with the idea that we should collect a rock from each of the properties I serve and a few other special places and use them as the cornerstones of the dry creek bed that covers the French drain on the lower 40 at the Shop/HQ. The second picture this month is a truck bed of a few of those rocks from Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Tennessee, and Texas. The Trivia question this month is what course parking lot was that picture taken in? Answer next month. During the

Turf Life Sod Shop rock collection process, I have learned a lot about native rocks and how competitive golf course Superintendents can be. Once everyone realized these rocks would be together and compared so an unofficial contest of my rock is better than your rock began. It was all good fun and now each rock tells a very unique story. The best part of building our river compound and of course Turf Pirate HQ is getting to work with some of my old friends. To date ten of my former interns/ assistants, Superintendents, (not counting the 23 that donated rocks) have worked on the project making it even more of a special place. The takeaway this month Turf Pirate’s is this, we are all part of an extended family in turf and golf, and this network can be a tremendous asset if you remember to always be willing to lend a hand and help through service. We are building a small place that has been a life-long dream and is being made even better by life-long friends and peers. Life is after all what you make it so let’s all raise a glass to the dreamers and the doers that make each day and adventure! Until next month Turf Pirates, be safe and stay connected. Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

BEAU RIVAGE RESORT – BILOXI, MS REGISTER ONLINE AT WWW.DEEPSOUTHTURFEXPO.ORG HOST ORGANIZATIONS Alabama Turfgrass Association Alabama GCSA Gulf Coast GCSA Louisiana Turfgrass Association Louisiana-Mississippi GCSA Mississippi Turfgrass Association

All In. All Here. All at the BEAU.

This regional show is designed exclusively for the turf manager including: Golf Course Superintendents, Sports Field Managers (Institutions, Universities, Park and Recreation), Lawn Care Operators, Landscapers, Sod Producers, Grounds Managers and Right of Way Professionals. F E AT U R I N G : Educational sessions for warm-season turf managers, networking opportunities with industry peers and friends, tradeshow featuring products and services for the turfgrass industry, CEU and pesticide recertification points and Business meetings for ATA, ATRF, MTA & LMGCSA.

OCTOBER 27 – 29, 2026

Sod Solutions COO Christian Broucqsault and City of Apopka Parks Administrator Donnie Rowland review NorthBridge® Bermudagrass installations.

How the City of Apopka Maintains Playable Fields with NorthBridge® Bermudagrass By Cecilia Johnson

Across Central Florida, municipal

sports complexes are seeing more year-round play than ever before. At the City of Apopka, Parks Administrator Donnie Rowland and his team turned to NorthBridge® Bermudagrass and Sod Solutions Professionals to help manage athletic fields under constant sports traffic. Rowland has spent nearly three decades in parks and recreation, starting in grounds maintenance right out of high school. After 18 years with the City of Altamonte Springs, where he worked his way from groundskeeper to supervisor and athletic field management, he returned to his hometown of Apopka nearly 10 years ago. Today, he oversees grounds operations across the entire city and has played a key role in expanding and maintaining Apopka’s athletic facilities, helping keep local kids and families active outdoors. Over the years, Rowland has watched parks and recreation shift dramatically from local leagues and occasional tournaments to

54

City of Apopka Parks Administrator Donnie Rowland stands at one of the city’s recently renovated NorthBridge Bermudagrass athletic fields.

recurring travel sports. Soccer, lacrosse, baseball and softball events now dominate complex schedules, placing added pressure on municipal crews. Apopka’s Northwest Recreation Complex spans nearly 300 acres, including roughly 90 acres of bermudagrass. The complex also

features the city’s amphitheater with a grass lawn and seating for 5,000 people during events and concerts. The athletic fields host recreation league play and tournaments nearly year-round, with tournaments scheduled 46 weeks each year. “The amount of play that goes on our fields is extreme. Not much of a break,” Rowland said. Continued population growth has only added to the demand, with Apopka growing from roughly 50,000 residents to more than 60,000 in recent years. There are nearly 1,000 kids in the city’s recreation soccer league alone, adding to the demand placed on Apopka’s athletic fields. Increased play has required more intensive cultural practices, including regular aerification to relieve compaction from foot traffic and rotating practice areas to avoid excessive wear in one location. Despite the workload, only six members of the city’s 21-person grounds staff are dedicated specifically to athletic fields. “I’ve got a great Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

crew and the guys all stepped up to the challenge,” he shared.

Managing Rec Fields Under Heavy Play

Rowland first heard about NorthBridge® Bermudagrass through Florida Turfgrass Association meetings and industry classes as the variety began gaining attention among sports turf and golf professionals. He decided it was worth trialing in the city’s parks and called on Sod Solutions Professionals for assistance renovating a 50,000 sq. ft. multipurpose field using NorthBridge. Rowland’s team completed the laser grading, field leveling and irrigation preparation ahead of installation. “The sod outperformed my expectations. There was so much play on it within the first six months that we had to shut the field down because I thought we were going to have to re-sod the whole center of the field because of how many people were on it every day for soccer,” he shared. “Within three weeks, it was almost grown 100% back in” One of the biggest problems the Northwest Recreation Complex had historically been maintaining grass cover during peak play. After installing NorthBridge on a portion of one soccer pad, Rowland saw a noticeable difference. “That area for some reason never responds well. It’s always struggling, and now it’s actually thriving and doing very well. Usually, it’s almost down to dirt by this time.” In recent years, Rowland said the department has adjusted maintenance practices to better manage increased field usage. The city moved away from rye overseeding and redirected those resources toward fertility and field management programs to improve consistency across playing surfaces. He’s also noticed improved recovery in high-wear goalmouth areas using NorthBridge that traditionally required annual resodding, with new growth appearing within a week following aerification and fertility applications. Rowland said NorthBridge greened up nearly two weeks ahead of the city’s existing Tifway 419 during an unusually Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

NorthBridge® Bermudagrass installations are helping support heavy athletic field use across the City of Apopka.

cold Florida winter, and crews have already commented on the visible difference in the renovated areas as the city transitions to the improved bermudagrass variety. Beyond grass performance, Rowland credited Sod Solutions Professionals for helping simplify project coordination and execution, including sourcing NorthBridge from Green Acres Turf Farm in South Carolina. “It was flawless,” he said. “Seriously, it’s not even an exaggeration. They were on time, there wasn’t a delay in the sod getting there, the crew was there ready to work and the communication was transparent.” Rowland explained that weather and sod delivery delays are common challenges on projects, but Sod Solutions Professionals coordinated with the farm to keep installation timelines on track, even sourcing sod from another field after rain delays threatened harvest schedules. He said the team consistently communicated timelines, coordinated truck arrivals and made sure no project details were overlooked. “They completely took the stress out of making sure that the project was going to be completed.” The city continues prioritizing natural grass athletic fields across its parks system. Rowland believes

natural grass remains the safer and more cost-effective long-term surface for the city. “With natural turf, you don’t have the injuries, the knee issues and those types of things. It’s really forgiving and, in my opinion, it’s a safer play.” Following the success of initial projects, the City of Apopka is continuing its partnership with Sod Solutions Professionals through additional renovations planned for 2026. Upcoming work includes sodding several soccer pads and establishing two additional pads through sprigging, allowing the city to compare longterm performance side by side. “Working with Donnie and the City of Apopka team has been a great experience because they’re proactive, responsive and committed to improving their playing surfaces long-term,” said Christopher Buechele, Director of Business Development and Sales for Sod Solutions Professionals. “We’re excited to continue supporting the city with additional NorthBridge installations this summer and help build on the success they’ve already seen across their complexes.”

Build better playing surfaces. Visit NorthBridgeBermuda.com Plan your next field renovation. Visit SodSolutionsPro.com 55

Brian Seltzer named winner of 2026 Allan MacCurrach Jr. Award This award supports outstanding non-traditional students pursuing a career in golf course and turf management Brian Seltzer, student at Penn State University and two-year GCSAA member, is the winner of the 2026 Allan MacCurrach Jr. Award of $10,000 from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) through the GCSAA Foundation. Seltzer will be honored at the 2027 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in New Orleans. Seltzer’s appreciation for golf course management started in childhood, after watching a maintenance team prepare an entire property before sunrise. He spent summers working at local golf courses and realized he enjoyed creating quality playing conditions just as much as he enjoyed playing the game itself. His fascination for golf course management has turned into a career path. Prior to attending Penn State University, Seltzer obtained a degree in mathematics and economics at St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y. During that time, he worked part time as a greenskeeper at Owl’s Nest Resort in Thornton, N.H. After working a few non-golf related jobs, Seltzer came back to the industry with an internship at Denver Country Club, which expanded his perspective of the profession, and what it takes to lead a team and manage course operations. “One of the things I value most about this profession is the people and the tight-knit network. Being involved with GCSAA has shown me how willing superintendents are to share knowledge and support the next generation,” Seltzer said. 56

Brian Seltzer

“I'm excited to continue learning from those around me and hope to one day give back by mentoring others entering the industry.” Seltzer is currently a turfgrass intern at Myopia Hunt Club in South Hamilton, Mass., the same golf course where Allan MacCurrach Jr., the namesake of this award, gained his exposure to the game as a caddy. “Receiving the Allan MacCurrach Jr. Award is a tremendous honor because it represents recognition from an industry that I care deeply about

and hope to spend my career serving,” Seltzer said. “It's especially meaningful knowing it comes from leaders and professionals who understand the hard work, dedication and passion required to pursue a career in golf course turf management. I’d like to thank John Kaminski, Ph.D., at Penn State, and everyone who has taken the time to teach, encourage and invest in me along the way.” Previously part of the GCSAA Scholars Competition, the Allan MacCurrach Jr. Award was revamped in 2021 as a standalone award to recognize an outstanding non-traditional student seeking a career in the field of golf course and turfgrass management. Applicants need to be majoring in a field related to golf course management, planning a career as a superintendent or related profession, be 23 years of age or older and be a GCSAA member to be eligible. The Allan MacCurrach Jr. Award is funded by Allan MacCurrach III and the PGA TOUR. It is named in honor of the late Allan MacCurrach Jr., who became the PGA TOUR’s first staff agronomist in 1974 and was the GCSAA Distinguished Service Award winner in 1994. He was a member of GCSAA for 31 years and was one of the first to become a certified golf course superintendent. MacCurrach Jr. found his passion for turf after he had a wife, a child and another degree in accounting, and he lived the struggle of trying to obtain a second degree with a full plate of existing responsibilities. His unconventional professional path ultimately became the driving force behind establishing the Allan MacCurrach Jr. Award to help others on similar career paths. Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

Celebrate International Thank a Golf Course Superintendent Day on Sept. 8 For the sixth year, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), in conjunction with other global superintendent organizations, will recognize those who keep the game on course with International Thank a Golf Course Superintendent Day on Sept. 8. The 2026 campaign has special significance as GCSAA prepares to celebrate its 100th

International Golf Greenkeepers

whether on social media, in

anniversary on Sept. 13.

Association (BIGGA), the Australian

person or through other forms

Sports Turf Managers Association

of appreciation. Participants are

continually evolving profession.

(ASTMA), the Canadian Golf

encouraged to join the social media

Beyond their traditional role of

Superintendents Association

conversation throughout the month

turf care, they now manage large

(CGSA) and the Federation of

of September using #ThankASuper

teams, have become environmental

European Golf Greenkeepers

or #ThankAGreenkeeper,

stewards, and embrace advances

Associations (FEGGA). Together, the

depending on the terminology

in technology like autonomous

organizations represent more than

used in their country.

equipment and AI data and analytics

31,000 golf course management

to make informed decisions to

professionals in 78 countries.

keep their courses sustainable.

The celebration encourages

Golf course management is

During the 2025 International Thank a Golf Course Superintendent Day campaign,

golfers and others to recognize

social media messages

organizations taking part in the

superintendents for their hard

reached nearly 20 million

global event include the British and

work and dedication to the game,

followers worldwide.

In addition to GCSAA,

58

Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

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Concert Golf Partners Joins Audubon International Respected environmental certification organization welcomes partnership with leading private club operator

The Ranch Couuntry Club

The Fazio Course at Heathrow Legacy Club

The entire Concert Golf Partners

portfolio of 40+ upscale, private clubs nationwide has joined the Audubon International program to optimize eco-friendly practices and the conservation of natural resources. Audubon International is an environmentally focused nonprofit organization that offers its members numerous certifications and initiatives to protect the areas where we live, work and play. Through this partnership, Audubon International is providing hands-on educational resources to Concert Golf’s agronomists and staff to assist in identifying and implementing proven sustainability methods throughout 60

each club’s golf course operations. Concert Golf Partners has properties from coast-to-coast, reaching from Cape Cod’s The Club at New Seabury to California’s TPC Monterey at Pasadera. A select group of these upscale, private clubs will also pursue the prestigious Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary for Golf Certification over the next year—expanding Concert’s commitment to environmental stewardship and the impact it has on golfers, communities, and businesses within its portfolio. Concert Golf’s participation in the Cooperative Sanctuary Program will launch with two clubs known for their natural beauty. Orlando’s Heathrow Legacy Club provides a habitat on its Fazio and Gael Courses for nearly 100 species of wildlife, including deer, alligators, bears, fish, and exotic birds. Meanwhile, Denver’s The Ranch Country Club offers panoramic views of the Front

The Fazio Course at Heathrow Legacy Club Range of the Rocky Mountains, with bald eagles, wandering elk, mountain lions, and more among the native wildlife. “Concert Golf Partners is proud to demonstrate the positive impact golf can have on both the environment and the communities we serve, as we set the standard for stewardship on and off the course,” said Concert Golf Partners Senior Vice President of Agronomy Danny Gwyn. “It is a tremendous honor to have Concert Golf’s portfolio join Audubon International and for select clubs to also pursue certification from the Cooperative Sanctuary for Golf program.” The Audubon Cooperative Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

Sanctuary for Golf’s tailored approach aligns with Concert Golf’s long-term investment philosophy, which emphasizes responsible curation of club properties and the natural environments that surround them. This benefits club communities, while supporting the current and future values of surrounding neighborhoods. “Audubon International is widely known as a global leader in environmental certification programs for golf courses, country clubs, resorts and communities,” said Ken Benoit, Interim CEO of Audubon International. “We are committed to assisting Concert Golf’s environmental programs, as it delivers high-quality, fully realized golf experiences with strong, ecofriendly and sustainable practices.” This commitment follows a

precedent set last year by the Fazio Course at Heathrow Legacy, which received Audubon International Signature Sanctuary Certification— one of the organization’s highest honors. Under the leadership of Gwyn and Superintendent John Kopack, the golf course is one of approximately 100 worldwide to achieve this prestigious designation. As a Signature Sanctuary course, the Fazio Course uses minimally invasive course treatments to ensure it is managed in an environmentally sound manner. Its water is 99 percent irrigated. No ground, reclaimed or potable city water is ever used. The course also features wetlandfriendly plants, such as canna lilies, spartinas and arrowheads, as well as bird and duck boxes. Concert Golf Partners makes

consistent annual capital investment in its clubs. These upgrades are aimed at enhancing amenities, service levels and the overall member experience, while building and maintaining a thriving club environment. Concert Golf is highly selective in expanding its portfolio, focusing on premier private clubs near major metropolitan markets. Concert’s CEO is the single largest individual investor, while the management team owns a sizable stake in the entity. The company is also supported by the family offices of individual investors, as well as some institutional investors.

For more information about Concert Golf Partners, visit concertgolfpartners.com

Heathrow Legacy Club Golf Central • Volume 27, Issue 5

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CHANGING LIVES THROUGH THE GAME OF GOLF

Patriot Golf Day® has become the largest grass-roots golf fundraiser in America – a joint initiative of The PGA of America and the USGA, Patriot Golf Day enlists the support of public and private golf facilities across the country. Funds support Folds of Honor, providing educational scholarships to the children and spouses of service members killed or disabled while serving in America’s Armed Forces.

GET INVOLVED Although the national promotion of Patriot Golf Day is over Labor Day weekend, you can play golf any time of the year to support the families of our fallen and disabled service members. Here are a few ways to get involved.

HOST AN

EVENT CONDUCT A GOLF

MARATHON PARTICIPATE IN THE

DONATION BOX CAMPAIGN

LEARN MORE AT PATRIOTGOLFDAY.ORG

Don Wallace,

Vice President of ShotLink, PGA TOUR

Consider golf for your career. Visit makegolfyourcareer.org to learn more and view open golf job opportunities. #makegolfyourcareer |