NAPLES —Olde Florida director of golf Tom Wildenhaus and Bob Murphy, a former winner of Naples’ Champions Tour event, will be inducted into the South Florida PGA Hall of Fame, the Section announced Tuesday.

Murphy and Wildenhaus will be the 26th and 27th inductees since the SFPGA Hall of Fame was created in 2002. The South Florida PGA Section will induct both as part of its Annual Awards and Hall of Fame dinner in November, with a specific time and date to be announced.

Wildenhaus, a PGA member since 1986, is a past president of the South Florida PGA Section, and currently serves as the Section’s Foundation President. He’s also been vice president, secretary, honorary president, education chairperson, and tournament chairperson for the Section, and has held similar positions in the Southwest Chapter.

“I was so honored and surprised to hear I was selected for the SFPGA Hall of Fame,” Wildenhaus said in a release. “I’ve never stopped to look at what I’ve done during my service to deserve this.

“I just always keep an eye out for my next opportunity to help make the Section and the industry better. There’s still more to do. We are off to a good start, but our challenge is to keep it growing and give back to our communities in a very positive way.”

Wildenhaus has won the Horton Smith Award (for education) twice, was Golf Professional of the Year in 2007, the winner of the Bill Strausbaugh Award (club relations) in 2008, and was the Southwest Chapter’s Golf Professional of the Year in 1997. Over the years, he has been a Titleist Leadership Advisory council member, an advisory board member to Florida Gulf Coast University’s PGM program, a PGM mentor program member, and the assistant tournament director of The first Tee of Naples / Collier Junior Golf Tour.

“Tom Wildenhaus has been a tremendous asset for the South Florida PGA, from his years of service as an officer to his present role as president of the South Florida PGA Foundation,” said Geoff Lofstead, the executive director for the South Florida PGA Section. “This is a well-deserved honor for a PGA member that has had a profound impact on our section.”

Murphy was born in New York and raised in Central Florida. Murphy has won at all levels, including the amateur and collegiate ranks, the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour. in 1965, Bob won the U.S. Amateur. The following year he won the NCAA Championship, joined the PGA Tour in 1968 and was named Rookie of the Year. he achieved six victories while on the PGA Tour. in 1993 he joined the Champions Tour, was again named Rookie of the Year, and went on to win an impressive 11 championships. he won the 1995 Champions Tour event in Naples at Vineyards.

Murphy was a golf analyst for CBS, ESPN, and NBC for 30 years. he holds many local Hall of Fame honors, including Polk County, Palm Beach County, University of Florida Athletics, Florida State Golf Association, and the Florida Sports Hall of Fame.

Along with Hammer, his neighbor, Murphy has co-hosted the Delray Dunes Bethesda Hospital Pro-Am for 40 straight years. this program has raised almost $4 million.

“I feel honored to be selected for this award by my fellow professionals, even though I haven’t been a club professional myself,” Murphy said. “Working so closely at Delray Dunes with Laurie Hammer has made me well aware of the hard work and dedication it takes to be a good SFPGA club professional. I think very highly of my peers and am privileged to be chosen by them to be a part of the SFPGA Hall of Fame.”

Murphy also is the National Spokesman for Hook a Kid on Golf, a local golf program based in West Palm Beach. in 1994 he helped create the Community Sharing Grants Program, resulting in over 75,000 children receiving golf instruction, as well as a set of clubs and golf bag. Murphy has raised over $1 million for Hook a Kid on Golf. “I’ve been involved with ‘Hook’ 20 years now. It’s a great program, one that really touches my heart,” Murphy said.

The SFPGA Hall of Fame recognizes individuals that have significantly impacted the golfing lives of the south Florida community through dedication and contributions to the game of golf. Individuals are first nominated by a nominating committee, then voted on by a committee made up of current Hall of Fame members and SFPGA Executive Board members.

U.S. Kids Golf World Championship: Naples’ Emma Bradley tied for ninth in the Girls 11s Division at the international tournament from Aug. 4-7 in Pinehurst, N.C. Bradley shot 75-78-75 for a 228 total. Cape Coral’s Brittany Shin was sixth in the Girls 10s Division with a 216.

Other local competitors were: Kelly Newbrough, Naples, 45th in Girls 12s (84-89-79/252); Gus Vickers, Naples, 110th, Boys 9s (88-88-97/273); Matthew Ariza, Naples, 127th, Boys 11s (85-88-87/260)

State Amateur Match Play: Brendan Sheehan and Alexander Medinis of Fort Myers made it to the second round in the 21st Florida State Amateur Match Play Championship at Southern Hills Plantation Golf Club in Brooksville.

Sheehan lost to Rohan Ramnath of Weston, 2 and 1, and Medinis, who plays for FGCU, lost to Joe Alfieri of Lutz, 1-up. Medinis beat Naples’ Hank Porter, 5 and 3, and Sheehan defeated Justin Kalanquin of Patrick Air Force Base, 2 and 1, in the opening round. Don Bell of Port Orange beat David Brown of Eustis, 1-up, to win the title.

Women’s State Four-Ball Stroke Play: Fort Myers’ Lynda Case and Alison Reifers of Jupiter tied for sixth in the tournament on Sunday at Grand Harbor Golf & Beach Club in Vero Beach. Case and Reifers had a 36-hole total of 145.

SFPGA Junior Tour: Bonita Springs’ Austin Schultz shot a 69 to tie for third in the Boys 14-18 Division at the tour’s event Friday at Hunters run Golf & Racquet Club in Boynton Beach. Schultz had a 140 total. Robert Butler of Estero tied for 24th at 149.

Men’s Summer Interclub: The team of Tony Mitchell (Windstar), Will Giansanti (Lely Classics) and Rich Thompson (Naples Lakes) won Flight a, and the team of Jerry Craft (Miromar), Greg Pryer (Bonita Bay East), Steve Krevinko (Quail Village) and Bill Jennings (Worthington) won Flight B on Aug. 5 at Worthington.

The next event is Friday at Countryside.

Pro-Superintendent Championship: Chris Trout of Cypress Lake Country Club in Fort Myers and superintendent Bryce Koch finished second with a 63 in the South Florida PGA Section event at The Country Club at Mirasol on Aug. 4.

Drew Pierson and Terry Wood of Naples National tied for eighth with a 65. Gary Baker and Manuel Garcia of Grey Oaks tied for eighth in the net division with a 61.8.

Drug-Free Collier tournament: The Golf Tournament to benefit Drug-Free Collier will be played Saturday, Sept. 17 at Lely Resort. The entry fee is $80 per person or $320 per foursome. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m., with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start. Hole sponsorships are vailable. Contact Anne Frazier at 377-0516.

■ ■ ■

Junior golf camps/clinics: Here’s a list of junior golf camps, clinics and offerings submitted so far:

■ Arrowhead Golf Club — Summer junior membership, through Oct. 31. $125 per player. May play after 11 a.m. with tee time reservation. Contact: 596-1000.

■ LaPlaya — Summer high school golf membership, June through September, $300, unlimited range privileges, golf course access after 10 a.m., ages 14 to 18, and anyone who is playing on a high school golf team. Some restrictions apply. Contact: 254-5001.

■ LPGA-USGA Girls Golf — High school girls golf practice, open to any high school player in Collier and Lee counties. at Club Pelican Bay, Aug. 17-18, 10 a.m.-noon. Cost, $10. Contact Patty Driapsa at Pelican Bay at 597-2105 or Cindy Booker-Gatz at 597-4643, cbook@comcast.net.

■ Rick Smith Golf Academy at Tiburon — Junior Camp: started week of June 13 through August. Juniors, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. ($250); advanced camps, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. ($225). Contact: 593-1111.

■ RJM Junior Camp — at Lely Resort. Conducted by Jim Mapother. Ages 7-17, boys and girls. Monday-Wednesday, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., through Aug. 17. $49 per person. Contact: 208-755-7644 or rjmgolf@comcast.net.

■ U.S. Kids Golf Summer Tour — Local tour started May 21 at Foxfire. throughout the summer, golfers ages 5-14 will play eight courses in the Naples area. Contact: Ben Kitts 877-7532, perfectgolf54@yahoo.com.

■ Vineyards — started week of June 14. 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. Contact: 353-0505.

■ WCI Kids Play Free — through Sept. 30, junior golfers 18 and under will receive one free round of golf per paying adult. a second junior golfer can play for a $20 fee. Participating courses include Hammock Bay (259-1110) and Tiburon (594-2040) in Naples, The Colony (390-4710) and Raptor Bay (390-4610) in Bonita Springs; Pelican Preserve (985-1707) in Fort Myers; Venetian Golf & River Club (941-441-2294) in Venice; and Lost Key (850-549-2161) in Perdido Key. Golfers should mention the Kids Play Free promotion. Go to www.wcigolf.com.

■ ■ ■

CHARITY EVENTS

Disco Dave Cancer Fundraiser

Info: Four-man scramble, Saturday, Aug. 27, Lely Resort’s Mustang course. Shotgun start, 8:30 a.m. Entry fee, $75. Hole sponsorships, $50. Entry deadline, Aug. 21. Lunch buffet, Snook Inn.

Contact: Disco Dave Bierbrauer 225-5144, Jim Goodall 370-3474, Jim Shelton 784-2111, or Marc Canaday in the Lely pro shop at 793-2600.

WEEKLY AMATEUR EVENTS

Arrowhead Twilight

Info: Wednesday evenings through Oct. 5. Four-person mixed nine-hole blind draw scramble. Cost, $30.

Contact: 596-1000

Old Corkscrew Thursday League

Info: The nine-hole event is $25 for members, or $40 for guests of annual members, or Summer Players Club members. Play begins at 4 p.m.

Contact: 949-4700.

JUNIOR GOLF

South Florida Junior Championship

Info: Presented by PGA Tour Superstore. Sept. 10-11, Old Corkscrew Golf Club. Open to boys or girls, ages 8-18. No membership fees or dues. Entry deadline, Aug. 31.

Contact: www.juniorgolfchampionships.com, email justin@juniorgolfchampionships.com or (214) 499-6841.

AREA ORGANIZATIONS

Collier County Women’s Golf Association

Info: Dues are $25 for the season. Remaining schedule — Friday, Royal Palm; Aug. 19, Naples Heritage; Sept. 2, Stonebridge; Sept. 16, Royal Wood; Sept. 30, Heritage Bay; Oct. 14, Glen Eagle.

Contact: Persons with a verifiable handicap of 35 or less are invited to join by calling Helen Nurse at 353-6944 or Doris Roberts at 793-0644.

Executive Women’s Golf Association

Contact: Lori Drumm (loridrumm@hotmail.com) 304-0579, www.naplesewga.com.

Golf Channel Amateur Tour Fort Myers/Naples

Info: Membership $199 per year

Contact: www.golfchannel.com/amateurtour or call Jim Stockman 593-3485.

Greyhound Track/Naples Harbour Poker/Golf Tour

Info: started May 14 at Quail Creek. Players will accumulate points and win cash prizes while playing a $20 league fee, after joining Naples Harbour for $175.

Remaining schedule: Aug. 20-21, Royal Palm; Sept. 3, Glen Eagle; Sept. 17, Old Corkscrew.

Contact: Jackie Miller 826-5167, jmigi@aol.com, or Laura Almand 213-1441, laura@floridamarinaclubs.com

Gulf Coast Gold Senior Tour

Info: Tournaments every Monday for golfers age 48 and older, four flights by handicap, with three age groups. Entry fees are $75, with no membership fee.

Contact: 458-0754 or e-mail tpagolf@msn.com.

Shark Shootout Summer Series

Info: Two-person team competition. Remaining schedule: Aug. 20, Raptor Bay; Sept. 17, Hammock Bay; and Oct. 15, Tiburon. Shotgun start, 1 p.m. Entry fee, $49 per player, per event. six holes of modified alternate shot, six holes of better ball, and the final six holes in a scramble.

Contact: www.WCIGolf.com/sharkshootoutsummerseries, go to the PGA Tour Superstore, 888-66-SHARK or 254-9770.

Southwest Amateur Series

Info: Men’s circuit through the Florida State Golf Association features 36-hole individual competitions, with $130 entry fees. Schedule: Aug. 27-28, Estero CC; Sept. 17-18, Olde Cypress; Nov. 19-20, Fiddlers Creek; Dec. 17-18, Old Corkscrew (four-ball, $290 per team)

Contact: www.fsga.org.

Tournament Players Association

Contact: www.tpagolf.com, tpagolf@msn.com, 458-0754

Valencia Leagues

Info: 18-hole Men’s League on Saturdays at 8:30 a.m., $35 per person; 9-hole Thursday Night Men’s League, $20 per person, 5:30 p.m. shotgun

Contact: 352-0777, www.ValenciaGolfandCountryClub.com

■ ■ ■

INSTRUCTION, ETC.

■ APEX Golf — State-of-the-art training studio combining the skills of a golf pro and a physical therapist to improve the body and golf swing. The studio has a high-definition golf simulator, a K-Vest golf swing analyzer, video, and strength and flexibility testing software. APEX offers a free 30-minute analysis of the body and swing. Call 337-2739.

■ Arrowhead Golf Academy — PGA professional Mike Dopslaff, a four-time Southwest Florida PGA Player of the Year, provides instruction. Individual, group lessons. Call 596-1000.

■ Mike Calbot International Golf Studio & Triad Golf Schools — at Old Corkscrew Golf Club in Estero. Full and half-day schools are offered. Instructional packages are one, two or three days. all instruction is by appointment only. Private instruction and playing lessons also available. Thirty-five years of instructional experience. Call 482-0900 or visit www.golfdoctorusa.com.

■ John Carroll Lessons — Former Club Pelican Bay professional John Carroll is at Tuscany Reserve Golf Club in North Naples. Carroll was at Pelican Bay for 29 years. he is available for instruction Tuesdays through Saturdays. To make an appointment, call 597-3561 or 860-8470.

■ Concierge Service of Naples — an off-site service free of charge to the customer. The service can make tee times year-round at private country clubs in Southwest Florida up to 60 days in advance. The fee is the normal guest rate, and golfers are not required to play with a member. Call 285-7457.

■ Coral Isle Golf Center — Ladies clinics each Tuesday and Wednesday, men’s clinics each Thursday, a mixed clinic each Wednesday at 2 p.m., and a mixed clinic each Saturday. all clinics are at 10 a.m., other than the Wednesday mixed clinic. Junior clinics also are offered from 3:45 p.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays and 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. on Saturdays. Call 732-6900 for more information.

■ The Golf Institute — Club fitting program includes evaluation based on series of tests, including frequency check and lie and loft angle. Putting evaluations also are available. Call 643-5895.

■ Phil Grear instruction — Forest Glen’s Phil Grear is offering the Get Golf Ready program sponsored by the World Golf Foundation. Sessions Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 to 10:15 a.m. Each weekly program is $99 per person. Call 354-1898 or 595-1120.

■ Kim Hilbert Lessons — Windstar on Naples Bay assistant pro Hilbert earned honorable mention as a U.S. Kids Golf top Kids Teacher. Hilbert is an LPGA teaching professional, and also teaches at Able’s Golf Facility in Dublin, Ohio. Hilbert offers numerous youth programs, including multi-day schools, camps, clinics, private lessons, tournament coaching, and afterschool golf programs. Her programs can be found at www.teachingu2golf.com.

■ John Jacobs Golf School — at Lely Resort. Staffed by local PGA and LPGA professionals. School offers 5-day week and 2-day weekend sessions, plus corporate days and private instruction. Discounted rates for junior golfers. for more information, call 1-800-472-5007 or visit www.jacobsgolf.com.

■ KISS Golf for Women Golf Schools — at Royal Poinciana Country Club. LPGA teaching professionals Lorie McCabe and her staff offer two- and three-day golf schools for women. Private instruction also is available. Call 1-888-451-KISS or 354-3633. The school’s Web site is www.kissgolfforwomen.com.

■ David Leadbetter Golf Academy — at LaPlaya Beach & Golf Club. Leadbetter is a Golf Magazine top 100 Teacher. Academy programs include three-day golf schools and players’ schools, and a one-day mini-school. Private instruction and playing lessons also are available. Call 592-1444.

■ Jim Mapother instruction — Call 431-5315 or e-mail rjmgolf@comcast.net.

■ Dennis Meyer’s Golf School — at Quality Inn Suites & Golf Resort in Golden Gate offers two-, three- , and four-day schools. Playing lessons included in full-day golf schools. Half-day options are available as well. Private lessons available. Call 1-800-445-4554 or 267-4652.

■ Naples Golf Academy — Located at the Hibiscus Golf Club. Lauri Travers leads a team of instructors that offers private lessons, golf schools, clinics and playing lessons. Specialty programs geared toward women and beginner golfers are available year-round. Visit us at LearningGolf.com or call 239-732-9944 for more information.

■ Naples Grande Golf Schools — Call 784-2208 or e-mail mark@durlandgolf.com.

■ Tom Patri Golf School — Patri is a Golf Magazine top 100 Teacher, and he works with all golfers of all ages and abilities. he is at Friar’s Head in New York from May 1-Dec. 1. TPGS offers half-day golf schools, with and without nine holes of golf, and also offers fitness programs geared to golfers. Visit www.tompatri.com.

■ Bob Prange Lessons — Estero Country Club at The Vines is the winter home of Prange, who is a teaching professional at The Bridgewater Club in Carmel, Ind. Prange previously has been a head instructor, staff member and golf school coordinator for John Jacobs Golf Schools. he has been 2004 Teacher of the Year in the Indiana PGA Section, and a top PGA Instructor by Golf Digest and Golf Magazine. Call 267-7003 for appointments and schedules.

■ Rick Smith Golf Academy — Offering weekly 90-minute clinics Saturdays at 3 p.m. for $90 per person with a 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio. Clinics alternate between full swing and short game with the first being a full swing clinic. Call 593-1111 for more information.

■ The Rookery at Marco Golf Academy — Includes a 14-acre practice facility. Director of instruction Jan Wivestad. for more information, call 642-2747

Local golf column: Olde Florida’s Tom Wildenhaus named to SFPGA Hall of Fame

Tags: Golf by Larry D Keen
No Comments »

There are three major reasons that someone might take an interest in learning more about golf colleges. The most obvious reason is that the individual is a college student who is interested in pursuing an education in the field of golf. The second major reason is that the individual already has a degree or experience in golfing and wants to get a job at a golf college. and the third reason is that the individual works in some aspect of the industry that would be interested in marketing to people at a golf college; for example, someone who works as a writer for golf magazines may want to know more about the interests of people attending a golf college. For any of these people, it is going to be important to pay primary attention to those golf colleges that are located in areas where the school is likely to do well over time.

Golf colleges can be opened almost anywhere. in fact, many different golf colleges have started to spring up in recent years because more and more people are starting to realize that this is a degree program which might be worth pursuing. any location that already has existing golf courses or where there is enough land for a new golf school to build a golf course of its own is going to be a place where the golf college could theoretically gain a following and do well for itself. however, it’s not wise for those people interested in golf colleges to bank on the hopes of a new school. Instead, it’s best to look into those schools which are located in areas that have a long standing tradition of golf history.

While a school may do well in any location, the goal of a golf school is to make sure that the individual who graduates from it is going to be able to get a good job in the industry. To be able to guarantee this, a good golf school must be located in a city that already has a thriving golf industry. The places that are best for golf colleges are those places where people would be likely to go on a golf vacation. any destination that is already known for its golf is going to be a place that is going to offer opportunities for employment in the golf industry after graduation. People seeking to attend a good golf school will want to look not only at the schools but also at the amateur and professional golf industries in the area.

The top areas for golf schools today are those areas that people will automatically recognize as being places which are great for golfers. although there are plenty of these places throughout the nation, there are four areas that really stand out: San Diego, Phoenix, Myrtle Beach and Orlando. these four major cities are destinations where people regularly go to golf. Golf colleges that are located in these cities are going to offer what students and potential employees or business partners are seeking from a golf school. The people who are working at these colleges are going to be people who probably have an extensive amount of experience in the local golf industry. This means that these people will have the skills that are necessary to make golf colleges run well but more importantly it means that they are going to be great networking contacts for anyone on a golf school campus who wants to be integrated into the local golf scene. these are factors that should not be underestimated when choosing a niche college that is focused on a specific career path.

Places Where Golf Colleges Can Thrive

Tags: Uncategorized by Larry D Keen
No Comments »