JADE SCOTT AND STEPHEN SCOTT CAPTURE VICTORY AT CHALLENGE EVENT #2

ATLANTIS, Fla. - This weekend, the South Florida PGA Junior Challenge Tour presented by The Honda Classic held Challenge Tour Event #2 at Sandridge Golf Club in Vero Beach, FL. Each competitor battled through a full day of rain on Saturday and some warm windy temperatures on Sunday.

Native to Vero Beach, FL, Stephen Scott opened with an impressive 2 over par (74) on Saturday to take the lead by one. With a tight leader board and two more competitors within two strokes of Scott, he new he had a lot of work ahead of him. Scott finalized his victory with a second round of 81 for his first win on the Challenge Tour. For the 13-15 division, Mathew Marceline took home 1 st place after a 3-way scorecard playoff at 157 (77-80). In the boys 16-18 division, Chase Cohen of Palm Beach Gardens, FL captured the victory with a two day total of 159 (79-80).

Native to Lauderhill, FL, Jade Scott opened with a 79 to take the lead by one stroke. Just behind was Taylor Oberparleiter (80) and Sabrina Kim (81) for the final pairing. All girls had to battle the strong winds on Sunday, but Scott was able to secure the victory with a second round score of 81 (160). For the girls 13-15 division, Talia Rodino, of Fort Myers, FL took home 1 st place after shooting 83-79. For the girls 16-18 division, Oberparleiter of Jupiter, FL finished up with an 84 and a two day total of 164.

In the Boys 11-12 division, we had a very close match up and tight leader board all weekend long. Jessy Huebner, of Port St. Lucie, FL captured the victory with two outstanding days of 75-72. Just behind Huebner, was Pavel Tsar (76-72) and Eric Nguyen (73-75). In the Girls 11-12 division, Morgan Pichler, of Hobe Sound, FL and Polina Anisimov, of Port St. Lucie, FL were a close match up and tied for the lead after round 1 with an 86 posted. On Sunday, both girls played outstanding golf, but Anisimov was able to come out one stroke ahead posting an impressive 78.

Leaderboard

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September 1, 2025
Palm Beach Gardens, FL - Margilano, Pla, and Bustos win the South Florida PGA Jim McLean Labor Day Classic, the second-to-last SFPGA Junior Major of the Year, played August 30 - September 1st at PGA National Resort - Champion and Fazio Courses. This year's title partner, Jim McLean Golf Schools, is no stranger to the South Florida PGA Junior Tour, bringing with him not only world-class instruction but also a passion for shaping young golfers. Staci Pla of West Palm Beach led the girls division at one-under-par and held a two stroke lead over Palm Beach Gardens native, Olivia Hartman after two rounds. Pla had 12 pars during her final round to successfully defend her 2024 title, going back to back to secure a two-shot victory over Hartman who finished at 5-over total. The boys 13-18 leaderboard was stacked up following the conclusion of round two. Jake Valentine of Palm Beach Gardens held the lead at four-under-par closely followed by 2024 Labor Day Classic Boys Division Champion Matthew Marigliano (Palm Beach Gardens) at three-under-par. Marigilano stayed consistent with three birdies and fifteen pars in his final round to secure the victory. Tristan Rhodenzier of Palm Beach Gardens holed out from the fairway on the 18th hole to take home second place. Joshua Fleming of Deerfield Beach held a strong lead in the boys 11-12 division at three-over-par after two rounds of play. Simon Bustos of Chattanooga, Tennessee sat at eight-over-par heading into the final day of play. Bustos emerged as the champion with a final round of one-over-par, including five birdies and finishing nine-over-par total on the weekend. This year’s Jim McLean Labor Day Classic welcomed 156 boys and girls aged 11-18, competing in three different age divisions. Among the field were 23 players outside of the South Florida territory, including two international players from Puerto Rico and Brazil. The South Florida PGA extends its appreciation to PGA National Resort, Paul Gallo (Director of Tournament Operations), Michael Williams (Tournament Coordinator), and their entire team for their outstanding hospitality and continued support of junior golf in South Florida. The junior major season will wrap up December 6-7 as the Junior Tour heads to The Park for the Tour Championship. Event Leaderboard Event Photos Jim McLean Story
By Chance Bressler August 24, 2025
Palm Beach Gardens & Naples, FL - The South Florida PGA administered two Drive, Chip and Putt sub-regional qualifiers for juniors aged 7-15, with the top-2 finishers from each division advancing to the regional Drive, Chip and Putt qualifier at TPC Sawgrass, September 6th. In total, 32 juniors advanced from the BallenIsles Country Club sub-regional qualifier that took place on August 16 and the sub-regional qualifier at Olde Florida Golf Club, August 23. The sub-regional qualifiers serve as the second stage in a juniors route to the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals that will take place at Augusta National Golf Club, the week prior to the Masters tournament. BallenIsles Sub-Regional Qualifier (119 Participants) The following players advanced to the Regional Qualifier at TPC Sawgrass: Girls 7-9 - Cheetah Baez of Palm City & Gracie Hoffman of Plantation Boys 7-9 - Henry Mallon of West Palm Beach & Austin Iggulden of Palm Beach Gardens Girls 10-11 - Arabell Tellez of Miami & Sylvia Perez of Kissimmee Boys 10-11 - Luciana Puebla of Royal Palm Beach & Silas Kirkbride of Delray Beach Girls 12-13 - Harper Kiss of Lighthouse Point & Alyssa Cleckley of Royal Palm Beach Boys 12-13 - Reed Abdelnour of West Palm Beach & Jake McMillan of Jupiter Girls 14-15 - Nirvika Koduru of Ashburn, VA & Olivia Hartman of Palm Beach Gardens Boys 14-15 - Gordon Nip of Port St. Lucie & Clint Lewis of Jupiter Olde Florida Golf Club Sub-Regional Qualifier (130 Participants) The following players have advanced to the Regional Qualifier at TPC Sawgrass: Girls 7-9 - Alicia Mosquera Rosado of Gurabo, PR & Claire Anderson of Bonita Springs Boys 7-9 - Landon Naya of Davie & Neil Oscar Caceres of Miami Girls 10-11 - Alina Lombeida of Longwood & Joey Wolf of Sarasota Boys 10-11 - Victor Monssoh of Miami & Cameron Middleton of Bonita Springs Girls 12-13 - Victoria Frias of Parkland & Priya Natarajan of Tampa Boys 12-13 - Luke Kummerer of Cape Coral & Luis Roman of Punta Gorda Girls 14-15 - Kinley Mills of Fort Myers & Laura Monsalve of Coral Spring Boys 14-15 - Axel Monssoh of Miami & Braden Chamberlain of Pompano Beach The above qualifiers would not be possible without the support of our host facilities, BallenIsles Country Club and Olde Florida Golf Club and their professional staff. BallenIsles is led by PGA General Manager Ryan Walls, PGA Director of Golf, Jeff Fitzherbert, and PGA Head Professional, Chris Hayes. Olde Florida is led by PGA Director of Golf and SFPGA Foundation President, Tom Wildenhaus, and PGA Head Professional, Andy Chambers. SFPGA Junior Tour / BallenIsles Sub-Regional Results / Olde Florida Club Sub-Regional Results / BallenIsles Photo Album
By Chance Bressler August 14, 2025
West Palm Beach, FL - The South Florida PGA has hosted a premier three-day event on Labor Day weekend since 2020. This year, the tradition takes on new significance as it will be held in partnership with South Florida PGA Professional Jim McLean and his Golf School as we join forces to present the Jim McLean Labor Day Classic, set to take place at PGA National Resort from August 30 – September 1. Few names in the golf instruction carry the weight and legacy of Jim McLean. A 2013 South Florida PGA Hall of Fame Inductee, 1994 PGA of America Teacher of the Year, and 2020 PGA of America PGA Professional Development award recipient, McLean’s career began in 1975 at Westchester Country Club in New York, where he led a junior program with over 1,800 members. Even early in his career, McLean was shaping the future of the game—coaching standout players such as George Zahringer III, who went on to play for the U.S. Walker Cup team in 2003. McLean is no stranger to the South Florida PGA Junior Tour. In its early years, he sponsored six tournaments, helping to grow the Tour into what it is today. “I wanted to give back to junior golf,” McLean said. “All of my boys were in junior golf.” This year marks a new chapter in the partnership between McLean and the South Florida PGA Junior Tour, culminating in the launch of the Jim McLean Labor Day Classic. The 2025 Jim McLean Labor Day Classic is more than just a competitive event—it’s a celebration of mentorship, development, and giving back to the game. As the South Florida PGA Junior Tour continues to create life-changing opportunities for young golfers, the support and vision of leaders like McLean help ensure that the next generation is well-prepared, both on and off the course. Throughout his career, McLean has taught and mentored many notable players including Lexi Thompson, Cristie Kerr, and Erik Compton. Compton, once the top-ranked junior golfer in the United States, overcame extraordinary health challenges—surviving two heart transplants—and reached the PGA Tour against all odds. After retiring from professional play, Compton joined the Jim McLean Golf School as an instructor. “Erik has been a very special person and has done many things in hospitals across the country for transplants,” McLean said. “He is a really unbelievable person.” Stories like Compton’s highlight McLean’s lasting impact—not just on competitive golf, but on the lives of his students. This year’s Jim McLean Labor Day Classic adds an even more meaningful chapter to that story, as Erik’s daughter, Petra, will be among the 168 junior golfers competing. For McLean, seeing the next generation of a former student take part in the event is a true full-circle moment—one that perfectly reflects his lifelong commitment to growing the game. McLean’s commitment to junior golf remains as strong as ever. “Golf teaches kids so many great things in their life,” he said. “I liked teaching the kids and I still do to this day!” His passion lies not just in refining swings, but in using the game to instill discipline, integrity, and perseverance. After nearly two decades as a club professional in New York, McLean moved to Miami in 1991 and opened the Jim McLean Golf School at Doral in 1993. Today, the school has expanded to seven locations worldwide—including Coral Gables, New York, Utah, Mexico, Spain, and South Korea. SFPGA Junior Tour / SFPGA Foundation / Jim McLean Golf School
By Chance Bressler August 9, 2025
Boca Raton, FL -  Abacoa All Stars 17-and-under and Palm Beach All Stars 13-and-under teams advanced to the PGA Jr. League Regional competition after winning their respective divisions during Saturday’s PGA Junior League Section Championship at Osprey Point Golf Course. The 17U Abacoa All Stars, coached by Dave Pesacov, PGA, won the 9-hole, two-person scramble stroke play on Osprey Point’s Falcon Course. TK Ritthisorn and Spencer Clay lead their team scoring at 5-under for the event. Joining the 17u team at will be the Palm Beach All Stars 13U team, also coached by Dave Pesacov, PGA. Liam Abbott and Lucas Mitchell paved the way to victory scoring 4-under. The teams will play in the Regional Qualifier, held next month on September 19-21 at Sunkist Country Club in Biloxi Mississippi. Saturday's Section PGA Jr. League Championship was the first of three phases en route to the national PGA Jr. League Championship stage. The 17u National Championship will be held at Twin Warriors Golf Club in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico, Oct. 23-26, and the 13u National Championship will be held at PGA Frisco’s Fields Ranch West, Nov. 16-20. Leading each team were David Flinn, PGA, David Pesacov, PGA, Zackary Shriver, Christopher Cupp, and Sean Kicker, PGA. Thank you to Osprey Point for holding another incredible Jr. League Section Championship event! Leaderboard
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By Chance Bressler July 17, 2025
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By Caitlin White July 12, 2025
The 2025 Brendan Cunningham Junior Open concluded today with standout performances and a heartfelt tribute to a cherished figure in South Florida golf. Held at Hammock Bay Golf & Country Club in Naples, Florida, the event welcomed 71 players. While taking a year off in 2024, the tournament returned this year.
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Hampton Beebe, a West Palm Beach native and current junior at Score Academy, has quietly become one of the brightest rising stars in junior golf. With a strong résumé that includes a verbal commitment to Auburn University, multiple tournament wins, and national rankings of No. 140 on the Junior Golf Scoreboard and No. 63 by AJGA, Beebe is putting together a career built on consistency, passion, and the unrelenting desire to improve.
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June 18, 2025
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