Rymer's victory part of a hot streak

Tommy Rymer is, in the immortal words of broadcaster Dan Patrick, "En fuego."

Rymer has won his last three starts on the West Florida Golf Tour, including the inaugural Tour Championship presented by the Siesta Key Pita Shack at the Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club in east Manatee County.

He went bogey-par-par to win by a shot over three-time PGA Tour winner Robert Gamez, who missed a couple short putts on his final nine in the 27-hole event.

"I knew I was in the lead after the first round, but I didn't know how many strokes I was in the lead by," Rymer said.

Rymer missed out at the PGA Tour Q-School first stage at the Grasslands in Lakeland by one shot, when he three-putted his final hole.

It was his second attempt at Q-School.

He tried his hand for the first time following hip surgery in March 2009.

"I was out for 6 1/2 months," Rymer said. "And the reason I had it in March was so I could go to Q-School (in the fall) for the first time."

But that wasn't the lone injury that Rymer suffered.

Rymer said he threw out his back at second stage at the Hombre Golf Club in Panama City following a 1-under 71 round.

To read more about Rymer, visit "Rymer wins West Florida Golf Tour championship."

Rymer wins WFGT Tour Championship

Tommy Rymer won the inaugural West Florida Golf Tour's Tour Championship presented by the Siesta Key Pita Shack.

He earned $2,500 of the $10,000 purse with the win.

The WFGT's winter season starts Dec. 1.

To read more about how Rymer secured victory, check out The Bradenton Herald's Tuesday edition.

Cheap rates still around at local courses

The unofficial end to the summer golf season is Oct. 31. From November all the way through the end of April, the unofficial winter season wreaks havoc for anyone trying to play in a timely fashion.

However, it's Thanksgiving that marks the end to summer's blissful season that affords inexpensive rates and the feeling you have the entire course to yourself.

Sure, area venues have gotten busier in recent weeks, but snowbirds visit the Sunshine State at a much higher clip than other places right after the Turkey Day holiday.

So with that in mind, here's a couple good places to hit up for some discounted rates:

River Run Golf Links is home to the Bradenton City golf tournament series, which could give the notion that it costs top-dollar to play.

Not so much right now.

Players can navigate the narrow track while paying a summer rate throughout November.

Since it's a city-owned course, players are allowed to walk - and at a $12 morning rate for 18 holes, it's quite the bargain.

This isn't too far away in nearby north Sarasota, but Rolling Green Golf Club hasn't succumbed to the high-season rates just yet.

The course is offering a round for $30 plus tax in the afternoon. It's $10 more in the morning.

But the real deal-maker during the holiday season is the Big Summer Golf Card.

The discount golf card still offers some price slashing to your round of golf at certain participating courses for November and December.

And many courses offer deals through signing up as an online member for daily e-mail specials.

So talk to the PGA club pro the next time you're in the pro shop, and ask if that course offers special rates for joining as an online member.

Turnesa tournament an annual success

Joe Turnesa Jr. was on hand for the annual scholarship awarded in his father's memory Monday night at Sara Bay Country Club.

Four lucky recipients, who head pro Daren King said have to write essays in addition to staying with the Greater Sarasota Junior Golf Association among other things, were awarded scholarships.

To date, 46 scholarships have been awarded to the tune of over $220,000. On Wednesday, Sara Bay membership director Gavin Darbyshire said $37,000 was raised from this year's tournament.

Turnesa Jr. joked how he'd have a different opinion on the golf swing than his famous teaching father, Joe Sr.

"He and I used to argue about the golf swing all the time," Turnesa Jr. laughingly said. "And I used to have people say to me, 'Don't argue with your father, he's a great teacher.' And (I'd say), 'Yeah right.'"

Turnesa Jr. stayed in the golf business, despite not having aspirations to play professional like his father or five of his uncles. There were seven brothers, who played golf, with Turnesa Jr.'s uncle Willie, the only one who didn't turn pro.

Willie Turnesa had an accomplished amateur career highlighted with victories in the 1938 and 1948 U.S. Amateurs and 1947 British Amateur.

Joe Turnesa Sr. played the PGA Tour - one of the first members - and won multiple events during his career that also saw him play all four majors.

He was an honorary member at Sara Bay, often teaching eager students - doing so all the way until passing away at the age of 90 back in 1991.

And the Turnesa name still lives on with the next generation as Marc Turnesa plays on the PGA Tour.

He captured a PGA Tour title in 2008. Marc Turnesa's grandfather, Mike, was a brother of Joe Turnesa Sr.

To read more about the 19th annual Joe Turnesa Memorial Scholarship Tournament, pick up Tuesday's edition of The Bradenton Herald.

PGA Tour Q-School: Inside the numbers

Ty Tryon at PGA Tour Q-School in 2001/provided by McClatchy News-Service

PGA Tour Q-School's second stage wrapped up across six venues Saturday, with seven players, who have a some sort of a connection to Manatee County, advancing to the final stage at Orange County National's Crooked Cat and Panther courses Dec. 1-6.

Today's recap takes a magnifying glass approach to see just how they continued the quest for a PGA Tour card.

There's also a glimpse into how a couple other players' dreams vanished when they flamed out in the final round of their qualifying site.

(Note: all have played at least one West Florida Golf Tour event except Tyler Leon, Ty Tryon, David Lutterus and Jason Kokrak)

Redstone Golf Club in Humble, Texas (19 players and ties advanced; cut: 2-over, 290)

Former Saint Stephen's standout Tyler Leon shot 5-under over his last 54 holes, including birdies on his last two holes, to tie for 11th and secure a final stage berth.

Redstone's 73.19 scoring average plagued most of the field, but Leon grinded through with 13 birdies to offset eight bogeys and two doubles.

TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas (20 players and ties advanced; cut: 6-under, 282)

Two West Florida Golf Tour players advanced from the other Texas venue. Former Lakewood Ranch standout Seath Lauer shot a final-round 71, while former U.S. Open qualifier Travis Hampshire carded a 69 on the last day to advance.

Lauer was buoyed by a strong final nine that included birdies on Nos. 10, 11 and 18.

Hampshire finished off the tournament with his second sub-70 round. All four of his rounds were under par.

Meanwhile, Australian David Lutterus, who is listed from Bradenton, finished in a tie for second.

Lutterus stormed out to the 36-hole lead after posting 68-64. He followed that up with 70-71 to earn entry into the next phase.

Bear Creek Golf Club in Murrieta, Calif. (20 players and ties advanced; 2-over, 290)

The first California venue played the hardest with a 73.95 scoring average.

Yet, Michael Sims and Jason Kokrak made it through.

Sims eked his way in following back-to-back 74s. He grabbed one of the last spots with a birdie on No. 18 on the last day.

Kokrak, who won an eGolf Professional Tour event earlier this year while listed from Bradenton Beach, opened strong with a 67. His worst round came with a 73 in the final round, but the long-hitter had done enough to take a tie for sixth.

Hombre Golf Club in Panama City (19 players and ties advanced; even par, 284)

No area players made it through with Michael Schachner having a decent chance heading into the final round. However, he flamed out with an 81 that took him to a tie for 54th.

Scachner's round got off to a horrendous start. Playing the back nine to begin the last round, Schachner opened with a triple-bogey on No. 10.

He then bogeyed seven more holes, including his last four, to finish the final round without a birdie.

Sarasota's Brian Ward was the closest, jumping up to 4-over par following a final-round 69.

Joey Lamielle, the WFGT's Order of Merit leader, also played his best on the last day.

But his 70 was only good to finish at 7-over par, well behind the last qualifying positions.

The lone par-71 site played over par with a 72.44 scoring average for the tourney.

Southern Hills Plantation Club in Brooksville (19 players and ties advanced; 6-under par, 282)

Ty Tryon was the only player with a connection to the county to advance.

The former wunderkind, who turned pro at the early age of 16 in 2001, has gone through all the heartache since leaving IMG Academies for the professional life.

Tryon has a chance to gain entry on the PGA Tour after four consistent scores (70-69-72-71) in Brooksville.

Tryon bogeyed two of his last four holes, but a par on No. 18 gave him a tie for 13th - the last qualifying spot as seven players tied at 6-under par.

Lakeland's Travis Perkins had a chance to advance, but instead of shooting under par on the last day, he posted a 74.

That put him in a tie for 30th and ended his quest for a PGA Tour card for 2010.

The players getting to the final stage all get at least conditional status on the Nationwide Tour, but the real prize is full-time status as a PGA Tour member - the elite professional golf tour in the world.

Check back here prior to the final stage (Dec. 1-6) for tee times, and catch the action on The Golf Channel beginning with round four coverage.

PGA Tour Q-School's second stage nears end

The second stage of PGA Tour Q-School has ended at one venue, while the five other sites have just 18 holes remaining.

Here's how things shape up for those with a realistic shot of making it (within five shots going into Saturday's final round) and the one area player who has already advanced to the final stage. All players have played West Florida Golf Tour tournaments with the exception of former Saint Stephen's standout Tyler Leon.

Redstone Golf Club in Humble, Texas:

Leon became the first pro to advance when he fired a final-round 69. Only the top 19 and ties progressed, with Leon taking a tie for 11th.

TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas:

Former Lakewood Ranch High and Florida State standout Seath Lauer is tied for 15th after slipping back with a third-round 73. Lauer is at 6-under par, with just 20 players and ties making it through.

Australian David Lutterus is still leading the other Texas venue at 14-under par. Lutterus is listed from Bradenton and is nine strokes ahead of the cut line for progression.

Travis Hampshire is at 7-under par to tie for 11th, just two strokes inside the cut.

Chris Damiano needs to make up a little ground following a 71 that puts him at 4-under par and a tie for 23rd.

Bear Creek Golf Club in Murrieta, Calif:

Michael Sims is tied for 26th and at even par heading into his final round. Only the top 20 and ties make the final stage. Sims is one shot behind the cut line.

Hombre Golf Club in Panama City:

Michael Schachner is the lone WFGT player who is within five shots of the last qualifying spots. He's four strokes back after a third-round 68 puts him in tie for 31st.

Southern Hills Plantation Club in Brooksville:

With just 19 places and ties gaining entry to the final stage, Travis Perkins is the lone WFGT player that has a chance to make it through.

Perkins is tied for 12th at 5-under par. He shot a third-round 69, but the margin of error is narrow - because Perkins is right on the current cut line. One mistake could cost the Lakeland resident a trip to the final stage.

Former PGA Tour pros Grant Waite and Robert Gamez both withdrew from the second Florida venue.

All the players are striving to get to the six-round final stage, which is played this year at Orange County National's Crooked Cat and Panther courses near Orlando Dec. 1-6.

From there, the grueling test will determine who earns a PGA Tour card and who has to wait another year.

Check out last year's highlights from the following video:

Tiger Woods changed?

Photo of Woods in 2009 provided by McClatchy News-Service

Tiger Woods says he's a changed person.

He recently went on ESPN's "Mike & Mike in the Morning" and explained how his kids are his top priority.

Woods also added another dimension to how he can get accessed, when he posted his first tweet on the social networking site, Twitter.

At face value, this looks like a calculated effort to steer attention away from the media frenzy that's sure to ask questions about the former No. 1-ranked golfer as the anniversary of his soap-opera scandal looms.

It was last year's Thanksgiving Day holiday that Woods crashed his car and the litany of women came out of the woodwork claiming to have had an affair with El Tigre.

Arguably the biggest sports story in the last 10 years erupted across every conceivable media platform, and every so-called expert has weighed in on the matter.

Woods just capped a 2010 season that yielded zero victories for the first time since turning pro in 1996.

Questions about whether the phenom can surpass Jack Nicklaus' record-setting mark of 18 major championships emerged following the scandal and his lack of form upon returning to the PGA Tour after a self-imposed hiatus.

But perhaps yours truly is wrong, and Woods truly has changed his nature.

Twitter could be a resource for Woods in repairing his damaged image, but only if he allows fans inside his guarded nature.

ESPN's Jason Sobel writes, Woods should use "social media much in the same way players like Stewart Cink and Ian Poulter have embraced the phenomenon. Answer questions from fans -- and not just one-word responses. Post some photographs. Tell a joke. Anything, really, that elicits an emotional response should be seen as a positive at this point."

I couldn't agree more and only time will tell.

But before spinning the clock forward, rewinding to the past shows Woods is an unstoppable force when in peak form: