Local Golf Events
Daily News staff

February 18, 2004

Palmira Open — Tournament on Sunday at Palmira Golf & Country Club in Bonita Springs. Qualifying for amateurs continues through Thursday with the tournament championship set for Feb. 22. The cost is $125 per person. The format for amateurs will be a better ball of twosomes, with golfers allowed to qualify with either a gross score or net score. Players are eligible to qualify for only one division. A total of 13 gross and 14 net teams will qualify for the championship round. There also is a 54-member professional field. Call 949-4466, ext. 3.

— Dodge Celebrity Invitational — April 14-17 at West Bay Club in Estero. United Way of Lee County is the tournament charity. All of the three-day grounds pass proceeds will benefit the United Way. Volunteer letter and registration forms for the tournament are available at www.eclipsesportsmanagement.com. Volunteers will have the opportunity to play West Bay during the offseason for only a cart fee, plus other benefits. The tournament will feature over 40 celebrities from the sports and entertainment world. Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Steve Bartkowski is the defending champion. Visit the Web site or call 1-888-256-5053.

— Tournament Players Association — Upcoming events: Verandah Club, March 13-14, entry fee $100. Call 458-0754 or go online to www.tpagolf.com.

— GulfCoast Gold Pro Series — At Verandah Golf Club on Feb. 24-25. $10,000 guaranteed purse, $2,500 first place. Entry fee, $375 per event. Call 458-0754.

— Ave Maria Founders' Whole In The One Golf League — Next event: Feb. 23 at Cypress Woods Golf & Country Club with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start. Call 774-1443.

— West Coast Junior Tour — Age groups are 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16 and 17-18. The tour's membership fee is $100. Call Kathy Padgett or Tal Buchanan at 597-1761 or visit www.kathypadgettgolf.com.

— ESPN Golf Schools' 3-Club Tour — At Valencia Golf Club. The program concerns improving play with a driver, wedge and putter. A one-day program is $495 per person and tuition includes free Cleveland Golf Launcher driver, Gunmetal wedge and Voodoo putter. The tuition for juniors (ages 12-18) is $395 and also includes the driver, wedge and putter. The dates at Valencia are April 26-May 2 and Nov. 8-13. For more information, visit www.espngolfschools.com.

— Florida Junior Tour — Conducted by the Florida State Golf Association. Starts in March and runs throughout the year with nine events for boys and girls ages 13-18. There will be two age divisions, boys 13-15, girls 13-15, boys 16-18 and girls 16-18.

The schedule: March 13-14, Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Orlando; April 24-25, MetroWest Golf Club, Orlando; May 22-23, Grand Cypress, Orlando; June 21-22, Marsh Landing, Ponte Vedra Beach; July 17-18, FSGA Junior Team Championship; Aug. 2-3, FSGA Junior Championship; August TBA, FSGA Junior Match Play Invitational; Sept. 10-11, Bear Lakes, West Palm Beach; Oct. 23-24, PGA Golf Club, Port St. Lucie; Nov. 27-28, Disney's Palm Course, Orlando; Dec. 18-19, Orange County National, Winter Garden; Jan. 22-23, Club at TwinEagles, Naples.

Entries opened on Jan. 1 with a projected field size of 72 players. The cost is $95 for each tour event. An FJT membership is $20. Tournaments will consist of 36 holes over two days. Go online to www.floridajuniortour.org.

— Strengthening clinics — Dr. Deanna Barbaro of Better Life Chiropractic is conducting free stretching and strengthening clinics from 10 to 11 a.m. the first Saturday of each month. Remaining clinics are March 13 and April 2 at Ironwood Golf Club on Lakewood Blvd. Clinics are for golfers of any age or playing ability. Golf professional Wayne Dahlstrom will be hosting the event. For more information, call Dr. Barbaro at 263-3369 or Dahlstrom at 370-1047.

— The Michigan State University Alumni and Friends from Southwest Florida golf tournament — Monday at Quail Creek Country Club in Naples. Michigan State head football coach John L. Smith and Provost LouAnna Simon will be in attendance. Registration is at noon with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. A dinner reception runs from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. A complete golf package, including the dinner, golf, cart and a box lunch is $170. Dinner only is $50. Dinner attire is resort casual. Call Kandy Byington at 517-353-3121, ext. 276 or 800-232-4MSU, ext. 276.

— The 11th Boston Red Sox-Children's Hospital Classic — Friday, Feb. 27 at The Forest Country Club in south Fort Myers. Proceeds will benefit Southwest Florida's Children's Hospital's Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. The field of 288 golfers routinely includes current and former Red Sox players. During the past decade, the fund-raiser has raised $2.3 million for specialized healthcare and upgraded medical facilities at Children's Hospital. Last year's event raised $471,000. The entry fee is $250 and includes food, refreshments, contests, team prizes and other activities. Sponsorship opportunities also are available. Call Jill Smith at 437-1749.

— Make-A-Wish Earl Morrall Celebrity Classic golf tournament and celebrity cocktail party and auction — March 14-15. The cocktail party and auction will be at Hilton Naples and Towers and the golf tournament is at The Club at Grandézza in Estero. The cocktail party is at 6 p.m. on March 14 with entertainer and LIARS Club founder Jimmy Keys providing the entertainment. Gale Sayers, Don Shula, Brian Griese, Bob Griese, Jay Fiedler, Jim Kelly, Ted Hendricks and Sonny Jurgensen are among the invited celebrities.

The golf tournament has a 7:30 a.m. continental breakfast with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start for a scramble, followed by an awards reception. Tickets are $1,180 per foursome or $295 each for single golfers. Both include the cocktail party. Tickets for just the cocktail party are $95 per person. Call Make-A-Wish at 992-9474.

— Notre Dame Club Tournament — Sunday, March 28 at The Club at Mediterra. The event will benefit Habitat for Humanity of Collier County and The Notre Dame Club's local student summer work program. The four-person shotgun shamble begins with lunch at 11:30 a.m., a shotgun start at 1 p.m., and a reception at the club. The entry fee is $200 and reservations are limited to 120. Call Dick Murphy at 213-1311 or Bob Salvino at 254-0464 of The Notre Dame Club of the Greater Naples area.

— Boston College Alumni Club golf tournament — Benefits Eden Florida. Monday, March 29 at Palmira Golf Club in Bonita Springs. Entry fee, $150. Shotgun start, 1 p.m. Scramble. Call Frank Garbarino at 514-0769, Dave Rafferty at 596-0290 or the Eden Foundation at 437-5335.

— Golf Etiquette FORE Kids program — at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort. The program introduces children ages 8 through 16 to the game, its fundamental rules and tradition of etiquette. Classes are from 11 a.m. to noon, with future sessions on Feb. 21, Feb. 28, March 13 and March 27. The cost is $15 per junior participant and includes drinks, snacks, a gift pack and use of junior clubs during the clinic. Parents are welcome. Call the Ritz Kids department at 593-2000, ext. 43346.

— Naples Recreational Golf — Singles 45-65 on Sunday mornings. Call 594-0661.

— Southwest Florida Singles Golf Group — Sundays, ages 50-and-over. Call 597-7349.

— Greater Naples Golf Association — Senior division, ages 50-and-over, Wednesdays. Call 598-1261.

— Golden Gate Women's Golf Association — Accepting members for a Thursday morning golf league. Call 774-3031.

— Fantasy Golfers Association/Zee's Proline Golf Tour — Cash paid to winners, utilizes handicap system. 2004 membership information: $175 annual, $150 for AAGT, $250 for AAGT and FGA, $15 per round pay as you play. Joining the Michelob Ultra Golf Tour costs $150 and includes 16 local flighted events. Joining the tour and the Fantasy Golfers Association/Zee's Proline Golf Tour combined costs $250, a savings of $75. For more information, contact Jim Stockman at 435-9424.

— The Naples Ave Maria Founders League —The league is for men and women and will meet once a month at different clubs. The cost is $60 and includes lunch featuring a guest speaker. Call 774-1443.

— Southwest Florida Seniors Golf Group — Call Bill Dey at 936-2018 or Kathy O'Hern-Smith at 275-9749.

— Arrowhead Golf Club — Weekly scramble, Wednesdays. Shotgun start, 5:30 p.m. Call 596-1000 at least two days in advance to sign up.

— Collier County Women's Golf Association — All Collier County golfers with a handicap of 35 or less are eligible to join. Call Doris Roberts at 793-0644 or Sharon Nelson at 594-2269.

— Southwest Chapter PGA — Go online to www.sflorida.pga.com and click on "Chapters."

— Body Balance For Performance of Naples — Mike Willett and Mike Via are being featured in top instructor Rick Smith's Golf Channel Academy shows. Willett and Via are part of three different episodes, all shot at Smith's academy at Tiburón Golf Club.

— Executive Women's Golf Association — The local EWGA chapter's host course is The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club. The Beach Club offers sessions of instruction and hosts the chapter championship. For membership details and additional information, call 513-GOLF or visit www.ewga.com.

— Cypress Woods Practice Facility — Open to the public with a natural grass range, pitching and chipping area and large practice green. Adult and junior individual lessons and camps by perennial PGA award winner Tal Buchanan. After school junior group lessons starting now. Call 592-7860 or e-mail tal4golf@earthlink.net.

— 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.

— KISS Golf For Women Golf Schools — At Lely Resort Golf & 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.

— Kids Golf Academy — At Arrowhead Golf Course and is hosted by PGA teaching professional Ty Andersen, former director of golf at Little Thunder Kids Golf Course in Ohio. Andersen specializes in teaching kids and families together and is presently working a "growth of the game" initiative. Clinics are held every Sunday. Individual lessons, youth group and family packages also are available. Call 272-7086.

— Naples Golf Academy — Professionals Lauri Travers and Phil Grear lead a team of PGA and LPGA instructors. The academy offers scheduled beginners, intermediate, and women golf schools. Saturday clinics, junior programs and private instruction are also available. Call 732-9944 or visit www.learninggolf.com.

— Tom Patri Golf School — At Naples Grande. Patri is a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher, and his staff works with all golfers of all ages and abilities. TPGS offers half-day golf schools, with and without nine holes of golf. The school without golf starts as low as $187.50 per person for up to four people. The school with golf starts as low as $300 for up to three people. Both schools offer four hours of instruction and a take-home video analysis. Private lesson packages available from as low as $75 per hour. Junior lesson packages available from as low as $45 per hour. Other specials available. Call Kathy Hanna at 455-9179 or visit www.tompatri.com.

— Tom Patri Golf Schools After-School Clinic — Boys and girls ages 6-12 and 13-18. Clinics for boys and girls 13-18 will be on Wednesdays from 4 to 5:30 p.m., with clinics for boys and girls 6-12 on Thursdays, also from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Cost for entire month, $135. Call 455-9179.

— Rick Smith Golf Academy — At Tiburón Golf Club. Smith, a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher and rated the No. 5 teacher by Golf Digest, has a staff of PGA instructors at Tiburón Golf Club. Programs include Rick Smith Premier Sessions, conducted by Smith himself and two additional staff members. Along with private instruction, the academy also offers schools ranging from 1/2-days to a three full-day comprehensive school including on-course instruction. Ninety-minute golf clinics are being offered for $75, featuring full swing or short game instruction. Ladies clinics are scheduled throughout the year. Junior clinics available for golfers ages 7 to 17. Call 593-1111 or visit www.wcigolf.com/ricksmithacademy.

— Rick Smith Golf Academy SuperStar Saturdays — Clinics for ages 7-17 on Saturdays from 3 to 4:30 p.m. The cost is $35 per clinic, with a limit of 20 junior per session with a minimum of six. Putting and chipping: Feb. 21, March 6, March 20, April 3, April 17, May 1, May 15. Pitching and full swing: Feb. 28, March 13, March 27, April 10, April 24, May 8, May 22.

— Rick Smith Golf Academy After-School Program — Elementary students, Mondays and Wednesdays. Middle-school students, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Times, 4 to 5:30 p.m. Cost, $150 per month, one day a week; $285 per month, two days per week. Call 593-1111.

— Dr. Jim Suttie Golf Academy — at The Club at TwinEagles. New studio with state-of-the-art technology. 2000 PGA of America Teacher of the Year. Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher. Rated No. 11 by Golf Digest. Instructional programs include 2- and 3-day schools as well as private lessons. Call 866-817-7729 or visit www.jimsuttie.com.

— Gator Made Golf Academy — At Briarwood Driving Range on Radio Road in Naples. The academy has video lessons, ladies and couples clinics, a junior program, physically challenged instruction, and 1- and 2-day schools. PGA member John Stoltz is running the academy. Stoltz was on the National PGA Teaching Committee and National PGA Golf For The Disabled Committee. Call 293-1727.

— 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.

— Mike Calbot International Golf Studio & Triad Golf Schools — At Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club. 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.webgolfdoctor.com.

— The Nick Faldo Golf Institute — At Marriott's Marco Island Resort. Instruction programs are based on the teaching philosophy and techniques developed by Faldo. A three-day improvement school ($1,175-$1,295 per person), two-day weekend/short game school ($675 to $895), and a two-day selection session package ($500-$595 per person) are among the packages. Call 1-888-GO-FALDO for prices and information.

— The Golf Learning Center at Quail Creek Country Club — Tom Stickney is director of instruction. Programs are open to the public and include individual lessons and group school for players of all levels and ages. Stickney was voted by Golf Magazine as one of the top teachers in the state and the Southeast in 2003. Call 597-2900.

— 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.

— Tom Manziano Golf Academy — At Pelican's Nest Golf Club in Bonita Springs. The academy features a staff of PGA professionals. Call 947-4600, ext. 224 or visit www.tomgolf.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.

— Wayne Dahlstrom Lessons — PGA & USGTF member providing individual lessons for golfers of all levels, including playing lessons, custom club-fitting and club repairs at Ironwood Golf Club. Group clinics also are available from 9 to 10 a.m. every Friday, by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call 213-0930 or 370-1047.

— Beach Club Golf School — Under the direction of Larry Gantzer, head professional, Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club. Private short game instructional area, video taping, playing lessons available. Call 435-2475.

— Briarwood Driving Range — On Radio Road. Clinics Mondays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. Golf professionals Chip Curcio and Barney Draper are available for private and playing lessons. Call 262-4955 or 850-3939.

— Estero Driving Range — On Williams Road next to Estero High School. Clinics are conducted by golf professional Barney Draper. Jane Huling, a PGA and LPGA Class A member, is on the staff. Clinics Mondays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. Call 498-3900 or 850-3939.

— Dee Laughlin Teaching Program — At Bonita Fairways. LPGA teaching professional. Laughlin also conducts monthly tournament for Southwest Florida Women's Golf Association. Rates, more information, call 498-9486.

— Coral Isle Golf Center — Located 5 miles north of Marco Island. Offering 1/2-hour and 1-hour private lessons, men's and ladies clinics, golf school. Lights have been added extending hours until 10 p.m. every day except Sunday, when it's open until 9 p.m. Demos also available. Scott Moser has joined as a new teaching professional. Call 732-6900.

— Ferguson Golf Center — Class A PGA member Tom Ferguson is offering private and group instruction for all skill levels, plus beginner and junior clinics at the center on Immokalee Road. Call 352-4996.

— Kimberly Thompson Lessons — At the Quality Inn & Suites Golf Resort. Beginners golf clinic for women Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings. Clinics are designed for beginner and intermediate levels. Cost, $40. Thompson also has a golf school. Call 455-9498.

— Dennis Clark Lessons —A Golf Digest senior instructor and has an Advanced Specialty Certification in Golf Instruction. Call 250-6424.

— Steve Anderson Lessons — Director of instruction at Mirror Lakes Golf Club in Lehigh Acres. 2000 Teacher of the Year by the Southwest Chapter. Awarded Advanced Specialty Certification in Instruction by PGA. Call 369-1997.