Who won the first-ever Donald Ross Memorial Invitational boys individual title?

Thursday, May 31, 2012

United States Open: Florida sectional pairings



The lone sectional qualifier for the 112th United States Open in Florida is scheduled for Monday at Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto.

Here's a look at when the three qualifiers from the local stage at Waterlefe as well as a couple more area players begin their 36-hole rounds:

IMG Academies Daniel Jaramillo starts at 7:25 a.m. off the first hole.

Bradenton Prep and University of Florida alum Arnond "Bank" Vongvanij starts at 7:49 a.m. off the 10th hole.

Palmetto resident Sam Osborne starts at 7:59 a.m. off the 10th hole.

IMG's Rigel Fernandes starts at 8:05 a.m. off the first hole.

IMG and UF alum Andres Echavarria starts at 8:29 a.m. off the 10th hole.

Tampa's Jeff Leonard, who was the medalist at Waterlefe, starts at 8:35 a.m. off the first hole.

LPGA Tour: ShopRite Classic pairings for locals



Several Manatee County golfers are playing in this week's ShopRite LPGA Classic that starts on Friday.

Here's a look at when they'll begin Friday's first round of the tournament, which was won by Brittany Lincicome last year (Lincicome, who has played in Manatee and Sarasota counties on the West Florida Golf Tour, starts her title defense at 8:55 a.m. off the first tee):

Hannah Yun tees off No. 1 at 7:25 a.m.

Paula Creamer tees off No.1 at 8:45 a.m.

Jessica Korda tees off No. 10 at 9:05 a.m.

Jodi Ewart tees off No. 1 at 12:00 p.m.

Victoria Tanco tees off No. 10 at 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

West Florida Golf Tour: Amateurs get a chance of a lifetime

Logo provided by the WFGT.


The West Florida Golf Tour's amateur branch concluded its season at the end of April.

However, the top three on the money list were given an incredible golfing experience: a round of golf with two-time major champion Tony Jacklin at The Concession Golf Club in East Manatee.

Tony Baccari, a scratch golfer, joined Matt Hayes (5-handicapper) and John Vaccaro (scratch) to round out the foursome with Jacklin, a World Golf Hall of Fame member.

To read more about this story, check out tomorrow's Bradenton Herald.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

United States Women's Open: Doris Chen medals




Bradenton's Doris Chen, a rising sophomore at the University of Southern California and IMG Academies alum, was the medalist with a 2-under par 142 total in the 36-hole United States Women's Open sectional qualifier at The Oaks Club.

Other locals weren't as fortunate, as just three players advanced to Blackwolf Run, site of July's U.S. Women's Open in Koehler, Wisc.

The most notable name to miss was Jodi Ewart. The Manatee County resident has played well on the LPGA Tour this season, posting two top 10 finishes.

However, a morning round of 79 doomed her chances.

Ewart, an England native, returned an afternoon round of 73, though.

Amateur Christina Miller, a University of South Florida standout, shot 79-76--155 to miss by seven shots.

For more on this story, check out tomorrow's Bradenton Herald.

To see the full results, click here.

Monday, May 28, 2012

United States Women's Open: Sectional moved to Tuesday



The United States Women's Open sectional qualifier at The Oaks Club in Osprey is on Tuesday.

Originally, it was listed for Monday.

The 36-hole event provides direct entry into the U.S. Women's Open, which is scheduled for July 5-8 at Blackwolf Run in Koehler, Wisc. Manatee County resident Jodi Ewart has notched two top 10 finishes on the LPGA Tour this season en route to more than $100,000 in earnings.

Nelly Korda, the younger sister to phenom Jessica, is scheduled to compete as well.

There are a host of other players in the field with ties to Manatee County.

Check back here tomorrow for a quick hit on who progressed.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

United States Women's Open: Sectional pairings set for The Oaks



The pairings are set for Monday's United States Women's Open sectional qualifier at The Oaks Club in Osprey.

The field includes several area players, including Manatee County resident Jodi Ewart, Jessica Korda's younger sister Nelly and USF standout Christina Miller to name a few.

For the full pairings, click here.

Unlike the edition for the men, there is only qualifying stage for the Women's Open. And the sectional round is 36 holes in one day, which is set for Memorial Day.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

LPGA Tour: Jodi Ewart fares well at Match Play



Local resident Jodi Ewart didn't win this past week's Sybase Match Play Championship, but she performed well in the LPGA Tour event.

Ewart polished off two victories, before finishing tied for 9th - losing in the third round. Ewart, seeded No. 62 in the 64-player bracketed tournament, lost to eventual champion Azahara Munoz 2-and-1.

She earned $18,750 for the top 10 finish.

Also in the field was Bradenton's Jessica Korda, who won one match before falling in the second round.

Paula Creamer, a former IMG Academies standout, lost her opening round match.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Ladies European Tour: Jaclyn Sweeney makes cut in Turkey on the number


Bradenton resident Jaclyn Sweeney fired a second round 76 to finish with a 153 total at the halfway stage of the Turkish Airlines Ladies Open.

That 7-over par total was just good enough to earn Sweeney a payday on the Ladies European Tour as she made the cut on the number.

Players at 8-over par or worse did not advance to weekend play.

Christel Boeljon and Ursula Wikstrom share the 36-hole lead with 3-under par 143s.

Sweeney earned her 2012 LET card after last season's performance, but said at the inaugural Sara Bay Classic that she would focus her attention this year on the Symetra Tour, which provides direct access to the LPGA Tour.



Thursday, May 10, 2012

Suncoast Ladies Series: Ginger Howard ties for seventh

Ginger Howard practices during last fall's LPGA Tour Q-School stage at the Plantation Golf & Country Club in Venice. Jason Dill/jdill@bradenton.com
 
Bradenton's Ginger Howard rebounded from a second round 78 to fire a final round 75 in the Suncoast Ladies Series event at Grande Pines Resort in Orlando on Thursday.

The round, though, only gave her a tie for seventh place after she began the 54-hole tournament sharing the lead with eventual champion Maria Hjorth.

However, Howard's 6-over par tournament total earned her $600 as just 12 players earned paydays in the women's mini-tour event.

Bradenton resident Rachel Connor did not complete the three-day tournament as she withdrew following a 76-82--158 total through 36 holes.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Suncoast Ladies Series: Ginger Howard falls from the lead

Ginger Howard practices following a round at the 2011 LPGA Tour Q-School stage at Venice's Plantation Golf & Country Club. Jason Dill/jdill@bradenton.com


Bradenton's Ginger Howard fell off the top of the leaderboard at this week's Suncoast Ladies Series event following second-round action at the Grande Pines Resort in Orlando on Wednesday.

Howard posted a 78 to falter to a tie for seventh place after sharing the first round lead when she fired a 68 on Tuesday.

Also in the field is Rachel Connor, who resides in Bradenton as well. Connor went backwards like Howard. Connor shot 82 in the second round and is in 25th place.

They both trail Maria Hjorth. The Swede sits with a 3-under par 141 total through 36 holes.

The final round is scheduled for Thursday.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Suncoast Series: Ginger Howard co-leads after first round

Ginger Howard practices following a round at last year's LPGA Tour Q-School stage at Venice's Plantation Golf & Country Club. Jason Dill/jdill@bradenton.com


Bradenton's Ginger Howard is off to a fast start in this week's Suncoast Ladies Series event at the Grande Pines Resort in Orlando.

Howard fired a 3-under par 69 to share the first-round lead with Sweden's Maria Hjorth after Tuesday's action.

The pair are two shots clear of the next group of players.

Bradenton resident Rachel Connor is also in the field. She's tied for 14th place after a 76.

The 54-hole tournament continues Wednesday and concludes Thursday.

United States Open: Sam Osborne medals in Tarpon Springs qualifier

Sam Osborne hits a tee shot during a West Florida Golf Tour victory at the Legacy Golf Club. Photo provided.

Palmetto resident and West Florida Golf Tour participant Sam Osborne fired a 68 to take medalist honors in the United States Open local qualifier held at Cypress Run Golf Club in Tarpon Springs on Monday.

The Englishman's round was especially strong as he was the lone player in the tournament's field to crack 70 on the day.

IMG Academies golfer Daniel Jaramillo, who hails from Colombia, won a battle for one of the two final qualifying slots.

Jaramillo shot 71 and joined St. Petersburg's Jack Maguire and Valrico's Matthew Galloway in a playoff for two spots.

Galloway, who plays on the WFGT, was given the first alternate slot after Jaramillo and Maguire earned the third and fourth qualifying berths from the Tarpon Springs site.

Cardinal Mooney alum Chris Kennedy and Sarasota's Joey Lamielle posted 72s, but lost out on the second and final alternate spot to Tampa's Doug Lacrosse.

Players progressing from local qualifying move to the section phase in early June. Those sectional qualifiers earn direct entry into the 2012 U.S. Open, golf's second major of the year, held at the famed Olympic Club in San Francisco June 14-17.


Monday, May 7, 2012

PGA Tour: Rickie Fowler

Rickie Fowler finally won his first PGA Tour title last Sunday.

But the real story is the look Fowler is sporting now.

He's added facial hair, but honestly, yours truly thinks he should dump the look.

It didn't bother his golf game, but where do you guys feel about it?

Let your voice be heard in the new poll on the right-hand side of the blog.

(Edited update: check out Fowler's look below in his post-round interview)



Sunday, May 6, 2012

Local amateur: Phil Walters falters to third place finish in Sarasota City Men's Amateur



Bradenton's Phil Walters' bid to go wire-to-wire to capture the Sarasota City Men's Amateur at the Bobby Jones Golf Complex on Sunday failed when he fired an 80.

Walters held the lead after every round of the 72-hole, four-day, two-weekend tournament.

However, he ended up in third place, five shots behind Sarasota High's Nick Celestino, who won with a 282 total and a 69 on the British Course on Sunday.

Walters has had success in the local amateur scene, recently he teamed with Tim Judy in April to win the Bradenton City Men's Two-Man Combo title at River Run Golf Links.

The full results for each flight can be found here:

Thursday, May 3, 2012

LPGA Tour: Paula Creamer and Victoria Tanco in HSBC Brasil Cup field



Two female professional golfers with ties to Manatee County are in this week's LPGA Tour event field in South America.

Victoria Tanco and Paula Creamer both attended IMG Academies before embarking on a professional touring career.

Tanco, an Argentina native, is on her home continent for this week's HSBC LPGA Brasil Cup, held this weekend in Rio de Janeiro.

Creamer is in the 30-player tournament field, too.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Local amateur: Phil Walters on top of Sarasota City through 36 holes



Bradenton's Phil Walters leads the 2012 Sarasota Men's City Amateur Championship at the halfway stage heading into this weekend's action.

The 72-hole tournament is conducted over two weekends at Bobby Jones Golf Club's British Course in North Sarasota.

Walters fired two 68s for an 8-under par total, and a four-shot cushion heading into the third round that begins Saturday.

Currently, Sarasota Riverview golfer Michael Visacki is in second place.

The full results can be found here.

And third-round tee times can be found here.