2025 marks an election year for Section Officers. The 2025 Officer election will be conducted electronically, and the results will be announced during the Section's Annual Meeting in June. Click here to view election information.
N A T I O N A L A W A R D S
Pam Elders & Jason Baile
South Florida PGA Golf Professionals Jason Baile and Pam Elders have been recognized as 2025 PGA of America National Award Winners.
Baile, the PGA Director of Instruction at Jupiter Hills Club, was recognized as the 2025 PGA of America Teacher & Coach of the Year, the first SFPGA Member since Martin Hall, PGA in 2008, and only the third SFPGA Member to receive the honor. Joining the SPFGA in 2019, Baile was previously named the 2022 SFPGA Teacher of the Year.
Elders, the PGA Director of Instruction at Boca West Country Club, was honored as the PGA of America Player Development Award recipient, the first SFPGA Member to receive this recognition. An SFPGA Member since 1992, Elders was previously recognized as the 2023 SFPGA Patriot Award recipient.
Baile and Elders will be formally recognized during the 2025 PGA of America Annual Meeting in November.
Full Story
S O U T H F L O R I
ANNUALAWARDPRESENTATIONS
BRIDGET ACKLEY, PGA
The Park
Player Development Award
JUSTIN ROUNTREE, PGA
Eagle Lakes Golf Club
Merchandiser of the Year - Public
BOB USHER, PGA
Grey Oaks Country Club
Teacher of the Year
CHRISTOPHER CUPP, PGA
The First Tee - Broward
Youth Player Development Award
KEVIN SWAN, PGA
The Club at Medittera Golf Professional of the Year
MARTY HALL, PGA
Florida Gulf Golf University
Bill Strausbaugh Award
GUY MANCINI, PGA
Yamaha Golf Cart Salesperson of the Year
JULIE CARSE, PGA
Kelly Greens Golf & Country Club
Merchandiser of the Year - Private
DOMENICO GEMINIANI, PGA | PGA STROKE PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
Geminiani of Old Corkscrew Golf Club took control of the PGA Stroke Play Championship with a first-round 63 and never let go. He closed with a 4-under 67 on the Ryder Course to win by three shots at PGA Golf Club.
Geminiani went wire-to-wire to finish at 14-under 200, three ahead of Jared Jones of Houston, to earn the $6,000 first place prize. Full Story
enomenal the first day, etter rounds I’ve had in a Geminiani, a PGA ofessional at Old G lf Cl b N l
PRO-OFFICIAL
The Club Car-Pro Official, presented by Earth Networks, opened the 2025 South Florida PGA Section Tournament season today at The Club at Admirals Cove with Richard Terga and Alex Gilmurray from the Breakers Rees Jones Course taking home first place honors.
Net Champions: Richard Terga, PGA & Alex Gilmurrary(a)
Gross Champions: Josh Brunet, PGA & Dan Sopcak(a)
Low Professional: Josh Brunet, PGA
IN THE FIELD
2025 PGA PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
APRIL 27-30 | PGA GOLF CLUB
Qualified Through South Florida PGA Professional Championship:
Andrew Filbert (West Bay Club), Justin Hicks (Stonebridge Golf & Country Club), Michael Kartrude (The Bear’s Club),
Justin McCarraher (Heritage Bay Golf & Country Club), Dakun Chang (Seminole Golf Club), Nick Latimer (Trump International West Palm Beach), Tom Cooper (Pine Tree Golf Club), David Ladd (Champions Club at Summerfield), Jared Isaacs (Adios Golf Club), Justin Smith (Bonita Bay Club), Drew Dietter (The Club at Olde Cypress), Mike Midgette (Delaire Country Club, Eric Costa (West Bay Club),
Exempt Players:
Jeremy Wells (Cypress Lake Golf Club), Tyler Collet (John’s Island Club), Matt Cahill (Seminole Golf Club), Evan Bowser (LaPlaya Golf Club), Ron Philo (Palm Beach State College), Alan Morin (The Club at Ibis) and Domenico Geminiani (Old Corkscrew Golf Club)
*20 Players in the field marks the most by any section in the history of the Championship
Celebrating Legacy: “The Ed Ficker Sportsmanship Award” SFPGA Hall of Fame
To view all stories written by the SFPGA, CLICK HERE.
GOLFPASS
SOUTH FLORIDA PGA GOLFPASS
Presented By:
The SFPGA GolfPass is like a guiding light to the best offseason golf in south Flprodia!
The GolfPass allows facilities additional play during the less busy summer months. The SFPGA GolfPass is like a guiding light to the best off-season golf in south Florida!
About The GolfPass
Celebrating its 31st year, the GolfPass offers the ultimate summer golf experience: Discounted play at Private, Semi-Private and Public Courses from May 1st-October 31st, exclusive outings and more. LEARN MORE
About GolfPass Members
The 2024 season saw a record high in sales with 14,401. Here is who they are:
91.8% are above the age of 50
43% are Private Club Members
90% are Male
Benefits to Facilities
As a participating GolfPass facility, YOU make the rules. Facilities decide the rate, availability, time and cost.
M E M B E R R E S O U R C E S
PDR Credits
PGA of America Golf Professionals are required to obtain Professional Development Requirement credits (PDR). These credits are obtained through volunteering at Junior or Foundation events, attending Meetings, participating in Education Seminars and much more.
The current PDR requirement cycle began on June 16, 2022, and will run through June 15, 2025. For questions about PDR credits please contact Taylor Lanning, PGA.
MEETINGS
EDUCATION
VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE
PGA Jr. League
Hosting a PGA Jr. League team at your facility in an effort to the grow the game and generate revenue is another great way to obtain credits. Over the last five years, the number of players under the age of 18 taking up the game has continued to rise. In an effort to ensure we do not lose youth who have a desire to play the game, PGA Jr. League has evolved and provides a fun, team environment for players of all ages to engage.
To learn more click on the link below or contact Lauren Lasprilla at lcourt@pgahq.com.
FORE THE KIDS
SOUTH FLORIDA PGA PLAY YELLOW BIRDIE BASH
APRIL 14 | PGA NATIONAL RESORT & SPA
The fourth annual South Florida PGA Play Yellow Birdie Bash raised over $307,000 with funds aiding the SFPGA Foundation and Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation.
34 two-person teams of South Florida PGA Professionals and Associates took on the Match and Staple courses at PGA National, playing 81 holes in an effort to make as many birdies as possible with each birdie backed by donor pledges.
Eric Veilleux, PGA Head Professional at The Bear’s Club, managed to keep his streak of most funds raised alive with a new partner, Michael Kartrude, PGA. The duo raised nearly $56,000 alone, making 54 birdies over the 81 holes.
The team from Addison Reserve Country Club, Josh LaPointe, PGA, and Kevin Baldizar, PGA, led the field in birdies with 60. FULL STORY | LEADERBOARD
S A V E T H E D A T E
PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup
The South Florida PGA will compete for the first time in the 2025 PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup on May 12th at Carmel Country Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. This prestigious event, held during PGA Championship Week, celebrates the transformative impact of PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) on Veterans and military personnel.
The PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup provides a unique and memorable experience for Veterans and the PGA of America Golf Professionals who dedicate themselves to positively impacting military personnel through the game of golf. The annual event, which started in 2016, honors the Secretary of Veteran Affairs and recognizes the Memorandum of Understanding between PGA REACH and the Department of Veteran Affairs.
Team South Florida will be led by PGA Associate, Zach Anzaroot of The Rookery at Marco and the following SFPGA HOPE Graduates:
Patti Baker – U.S. Air Force
Richard George – U.S. Navy
Dwight Hanners – U.S. Navy
Chris Short – U.S. Army
RAISING THE WALLS - 12 HOME BUILD TH
The South Florida PGA Foundation in partnership with Habitat for Humanity raised the walls on its 12 home build this past January with the support of nearly 15 South Florida PGA Professionals in Hendry County. th
The SFPGA Foundation set a goal to build 14 Habitat for Humanity homes throughout the Section, one in each county within its boundaries, including Puerto Rico. Please be on the lookout for more build days to come.
SrixonPartnershipAnnouncement
The South Florida PGA Junior Tour has partnered with Srixon in a new three-year agreement, as the Srixon South Florida PGA Junior Tour. This partnership will elevate the Tour’s events, offering top-tier competition at premier South Florida facilities.
“We are excited to join forces with the Srixon team,” said Meredith Schuler, South Florida PGA Assistant Executive Director. “This partnership will raise the standard and professionalism of all Junior events while further promoting our mission.”
Following a record-setting 25th anniversary year with over 1,300 members, the Tour continues to grow with sold-out events across the schedule.
“Srixon is proud to support the next generation of golfers,” added Noelle Zavaleta, Srixon Marketing Commun D “Th h reflects our co ough premier access. ”
May 24th-25th, 2025 | Kelly Greens Golf and Country Club
Junior PGA Championship
June 16th-17th, 2025 | Stonebridge Country Club
Nicklaus Junior Championship
June 23rd-224th | The Bear’s Club & Tequesta Country Club
Brendan Cunningham Junior Open
July 10th-12th | Hammock Bay Golf & Country Club
South Florida PGA Junior Cup
July 28th-30th | BallenIsles Country Club
Jim McLean Labor Day Classic
August 30th - September 1st, 2025 | PGA National Resort
Junior Tour Championship
December 6th-7th, 2025 | The Park
S O U T H F L O R I D A P G A
JuniorTourSpotlights
Luke Clanton
March Alumni Spotlight
Earned PGA Tour Card
Drew Steiner
April Alumni S
LPGA Player Co
Links to Legacy
Alex Heard
Big East Golfer UCONN
Chandler Cantwell
HS Grad Year: 2025
Evans Scholarship Recipient
rogram
Noah Kent
University of Florida
Masters Debut & Texas Children's
Qualifier (-5)
Alexander Weinberg - Duke
Aliya Liberatore - Missouri
Ariana Silva - Kennesaw State
Arth Sinha - University of Texas Arlington
Brayden Jenard - UCONN
Catherine Mulvaney - St. Leo University
Christiana Marcellus Lee - Alabama State University
Dounia Bezzari - Oglethorpe
Eva Lye - High Point University
Gabriella Albert - Georgia
Grace Crawford - University of Alabama
Grace Heiss - Indiana University
Jamie Lowry - Daytona State
Layla Pedrique - Florida State
Zoe Shamy - University of Tulsa C O L L E G E C O M M I T M E N T S
Lily Boulter - Palm Beach Atlantic University
Logan Leistner - University of South Carolina - Aiken
Lorenzo Rordriguez - University of Florida
Luke Leonard - Villanova
Madison Moman - Louisville
Madison Rizzo - East Carolina University
Madison Roach - University of Tulsa
Mason Keisch - US Navel Academy
Miriam Barcalova - Florida Atlantic University
Oscar Crowe - East Carolina University
Pavel Tsar - Notre Dame
Remi Bacardi - Virginia
Sara Vitasek - Arizona
Tristian Wieland - Michigan
Vanessa Zepeda - Barry University
Yvette O'Brien - Texas Christian University
RO L U N T E E
VChange Lives Through Golf
The South Florida PGA Foundation offers various opportunities to volunteer at events and programming. Not only do these opportunities provide PGA of America Golf Professionals with necessary PDR credits, it serves as a way to give back to the south Florida community.
Opportunities include: Volunteering at Junior tournaments, PGA HOPE clinics, Habitat For Humanity build days, Smiling Fore Life Hospital visits and much more.
A volunteer schedule has been developed making it easier than ever to volunteer. Click below to view!
VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE
VOLUNTEE
For questions, c
President:
Matt Oakley, PGA
Vice President: Danny Butts, PGA
Secretary:
Justin DeFont, PGA
Assistants Chairperson:
Greg Dean, PGA
Awards Chairperson: Kevin Swan, PGA
Education Chairpersons:
Heather Angell, PGA
Jim Lobauer, PGA
Senior Chairpersons:
Dave Witt, PGA
Tim Miller, PGA
Junior Golf Chairperson: Bob Clark, PGA
Section Member-at-Large:
Sara Dickson, PGA
Tournament Chairperson:
Andrew Filbert, PGA
Member Engagement
Chairperson
Adam Miller, PGA
Fundraising Chairpersons: Jon Pazdera, PGA
Chris Shultis, PGA
President:
Steve Hudson, PGA
Vice President: Sonny Grosso, PGA
Secretary: Joe Beezup, PGA
Section Member-at-Large:
Tony Chateauvert, PGA
Assistant Chairperson: Will Coleman, PGA
Awards Assistant Chairperson: Dennis Rye, PGA
Education Chairperson: Brian Dionisio, PGA
Tournament Chairperson: Jeff Hall, PGA
Partnership/Fundraising Chairperson: Paul Crespo, PGA
President: Sean Kicker, PGA
Secretary:
President:
Tony Loyola, PGA
Grayson Zacker, PGA
Section Member-at-Large:
Joe Compitello, PGA
Associate Chairperson: Mike Wedge, PGA
Awards Chairperson: Andrew Michael, PGA
Education Chairperson: Jason Glasgow, PGA
Junior Golf Chairperson
Christopher Cupp, PGA
Tournament Chairperson: Christian De Greiff, PGA
Vice President: Chip Koehlke, PGA
Secretary: Miguel Alvarez, PGA
CompetitionsCoordinator
David Beck | dbeck@pgahq.com
DirectorofFoundationPrograms
Darrell Bock, PGA | dbock@pgahq.com
JuniorGolfCoordinator
Tami Tolley | ttolley@pgahq.com S E C T I O N S T A F F
