Marigliano and Pla Claim Titles at 2024 SFPGA Labor Day Classic After Competitive Final Rounds at PGA National

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Matthew Marigliano and Staci Pla emerged as champions at the 2024 South Florida PGA Labor Day Classic, presented by Callaway and Toptracer, after three intense rounds played on PGA National’s Champion and Fazio courses from August 31 to September 2.


The Labor Day Classic, one of the South Florida PGA Junior Tour’s eight major events, featured 157 of the region’s top junior golfers (110 boys and 47 girls). Following two rounds of competition, the field was cut to 53 players who advanced to the final round on PGA National’s iconic Champion course, home to the PGA TOUR’s Cognizant Classic. Known for its challenging layout and the infamous Bear Trap stretch, the course tested even the most skilled competitors as they fought for the title.


In the Boys 13-18 Division, Palm Beach Gardens native Matthew Marigliano, at just 13 years old, secured the title with an impressive performance, finishing (71-71-70) over three rounds.


“It feels good to win, but it was hard out there,” Marigliano reflected. “In today’s round, I made 16 straight pars until the last two holes where I birdied.”


Starting the tournament with a first-round 71, Marigliano found himself two strokes off the lead but remained focused. His second-round 71, which included two birdies, elevated him to a tie for first place and secured his spot in the final group teeing off in round three.


In the final round, Marigliano battled against fellow Palm Beach Gardens competitors Ryan Nana Tanke and Tristan Rhodenizer. The trio remained close throughout the day, but Marigliano’s birdies on holes 17 and 18 allowed him to pull ahead, ultimately winning by two strokes.


“My main focus today was just to hit fairways and greens,” Marigliano added, reflecting on his strategy.


The competition was equally intense on the girls’ side, as Staci Pla showcased remarkable consistency to win the title. Pla maintained a tight lead throughout round one and had an incredible round two, shooting a two-under-par 70. Heading into the final round with a five-shot lead, Pla remained confident. 


“I knew that as long as I stayed strong throughout the course, I could keep the lead,” Pla said. “I kept telling myself to trust the process.”


While her closest competitor, Zoe Shamy of Jupiter, struggled with consistency, Pla stayed steady. Her final-round score of 3-under-par 69 sealed the victory with an impressive 12-stroke lead over Shamy.


Pla, who finished runner-up at this year’s South Florida PGA Junior Championship and earned a spot at the national junior-level event at Congressional Country Club, was thrilled to secure her first-place finish on the SFPGA Junior Tour.


“It’s been three years since I last won with the SFPGA, so this victory was definitely due,” Pla remarked.


The SFPGA Junior Tour’s Callaway Medalist Tour, presented by Toptracer, is the elite level of competition under the umbrella of the South Florida PGA Foundation’s Junior Tour. With over 100 tournaments held annually, the SFPGA Junior Tour offers first-class, low-cost, competitive events at some of South Florida’s most prestigious courses for juniors aged 6-18.


Special thanks to Michael Willams and all the staff at PGA National for hosting another great SFPGA Labor Day Classic.


Leaderboard | Photo Album



Share this story

By Chance Bressler July 17, 2025
ATLANTIS, FL - Yuanzhou Ye and Jayden Loyacona won the Srixon South Florida PGA Junior Medalist Tour event, played July 16-17 at Lost City Golf Club.
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.
July 3, 2025
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.
By Caitlin White June 25, 2025
Jupiter, FL — The Bear’s Club and Tequesta Country Club hosted the 41st Nicklaus Junior Championship, held Monday and Tuesday, welcoming a field of 160 junior golfers.
June 18, 2025
Boca Raton, FL – June 18th – The South Florida PGA Junior Tour staged its third major of the season, welcoming 80 junior golfers for the Junior PGA Championship, held June 16-17 at Stonebridge Country Club. The major belonged to Gabriel Holtz of Boca Raton and Eva Lye of Naples, who each turned in championship performances to win titles in the Boys' and Girls' 13-18 divisions.
June 10, 2025
Palm City, FL - Gabriel Holtz and Michelle Lu won the Srixon South Florida PGA Junior Medalist Tour event, played June 7-8 at Hammock Creek Golf Club.
June 5, 2025
Drawn to the game of golf, Sabrina Fonda began her competitive journey in 2009 when she joined the South Florida PGA Junior Tour. Over the next decade, she competed alongside her younger sister, Jenna, while dedicating herself to developing her own skills and passion for the sport. In 2020, Sabrina graduated from the Junior Tour and went on to play collegiate golf at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina. While at Winthrop, Sabrina was a consistent contributor on the Eagles’ roster, competing in countless events during her four years of eligibility. Fonda, a Wellington, Florida native, logged thirty-six collegiate rounds with a scoring average of 80 and a career-low round of 75. During her junior golf career, Sabrina played in 83 SFPGA events, but when asked which event stood out the most, her answer was immediate: the 2012 tournament at Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo. “It was such a special place,” she recalled. “Having my family and friends at the resort made it feel like more than just a tournament—it was a full experience.” Despite years of competition, Sabrina says her most meaningful memories aren’t defined by scorecards but by the friendships and camaraderie she built along the way. “Playing alongside my sister and my high school teammates made it competitive but so much fun,” she said. Looking back, Sabrina attributes many of her life skills—perspective, integrity, discipline, and patience—to her junior golf experience. These values, she explains, became even more critical in college, where time management and self-discipline became essential. “In college, you have your team, but at the end of the day, it’s your responsibility to show up, put in the work at practice, and stay on top of your assignments,” she said. “Junior golf teaches you those lessons without you even realizing it—the structure, the integrity, the personal accountability—it all carries into your life after golf.” Today, Sabrina works in commercial banking at EverBank as an Associate Commercial Relationship Manager. While she didn’t pursue a career in the golf industry, Sabrina says the habits and mindset she developed through years of competition now help her manage clients, deadlines, and challenges with confidence. “Golf taught me discipline and how to stay composed under pressure,” she reflected. “There were times I’d be so hard on myself for a missed shot, but now I realize those moments were small in the grand scheme of things. That perspective helps me even today—whether I’m on a golf course or in the office.” Sabrina’s story is a testament to the lasting impact of junior golf—not just in shaping athletes but in preparing individuals for success far beyond the course. Her journey reflects the core values of the South Florida PGA Junior Tour, and we’re proud to count her among our alums. Whether navigating a round of golf or a professional career, Sabrina continues to embody the discipline, integrity, and perspective the game instilled in her from the very beginning. Sabrina Fonda | LinkedIn Sabrina Fonda | Winthrop University Share your story with us! Links to Legacy | Alumni Form
By Brianna Alonso May 27, 2025
(Fort Myers, FL - May 26th) – The Srixon South Florida PGA Junior Tour administered its second major of the year, the Patty Berg Junior Championship at Kelly Greens Golf and Country Club, May 24-26, welcoming 79 junior golfers.
May 11, 2025
Palm Beach Gardens, FL - Cameron Kuchar claims the boys division by five shots as Mila Zalsman captures the girls division after a three-hole playoff at the Srixon South Florida PGA Medalist Tour event, played Saturday and Sunday at PGA National - Fazio Course. Cameron Kuchar, a 2026 graduate from Harrison, ID, fired a first-round score of 3-under par, one shot behind Palm Beach Gardens resident Maximillian Mieschke. Kuchar carded a steady even-par final round to claim his first victory on the Srixon South Florida PGA Medalist Tour with a score of 69-72-141 Mieschke placed runner-up with a two-round total of 68-78-146, while Oscar Crowe of Boca Raton and Charlie Woods of Palm Beach Gardens finished in a tie for third at 3-over. After 36-holes, Lilly Parker of North Palm Beach and Mila Zalsman of Saint Petersburg were tied at 7-over, both carding rounds of 77-74–151. The two headed back on the course for a sudden death playoff that saw Zalsman, a 2029 graduate, ultimately came out on top with a par on the third playoff hole. Roisin Scanlon of Atlanta, GA, Jensi Krampel of Estero, and Lilly Riegger of Fort Lauderdale, finished a tie for third at 9-over. Saturday’s opening round also served as a qualifier for the South Florida Junior PGA Championship, with 18 boys and six girls qualifying for the Championship, which will be held June 16-17 at Stonebridge Country Club. Boys: Cameron Kuchar, Henry Crowe, Jose Carlos Lopez-Lay, Charlie Woods, Luke Leonard, Martin Bustos, Chris Nana Tanke, Patrick O’Connor, Ryder Kenney, Gavin Duffy, Andrew Stein, Alfonso Goyenenche, Leo Graham, Nicholas Zaccagnino, Weston Mead, Jack Davidson, Borja Friend, and Tristan Rodenizer. Girls: Amelie Phung, Ella Hrbata, Lilly Riegger, Lilly Parker, Mia Zalsman, Sarah Earle. The Srixon South Florida PGA Junior Medalist Tour season will continue May 24th - 26th at Kelly Greens Country Club for our Patty Berg Junior Championship.
April 28, 2025
Boynton Beach, Fl - Angela Nip and Ryan Nana Tanke card multiple under-par rounds to win the Srixon South Florida PGA Medalist Tour event, played Saturday and Sunday at Indian Spring Country Club - West Course. A Port St. Lucie resident and 2026 graduate, Angela Nip set herself ahead of her competition during round one with an 8-under par 63, the tournament low-round for both boys and girls. Nip started her round with a birdie and continued on to finish bogey-free, which also included an eagle on the par-5, tenth hole. Zoe Shamy of Jupiter, a 2025 graduate, nearly closed the gap on Sunday, with a 5-under 66, but a 2-under final round by Nip was enough to claim the girls division by three shots. Ella Hrbata, a 2029 graduate and West Palm Beach Resident, also finished under par and in third place at 2-under. Ryan Nana Tanke of Palm Beach Gardens entered the final round one shot behind William Richards of Miami after both fired opening rounds under par. With a birdie to start the final round, Nana Tanke, a 2028 graduate, carded the tournament low round in the boys division with a 5-under 66, to win the boys division by one shot over Richards. This victory marks Nana Tanke’s second of the year, adding to his win at the SFPGA Winter Kickoff in January. In a tie for third were four players at 3-under: Carter Brooks (Coral Springs), Trevor Tingle (Coral Gables), Maximilian Mieschke (Palm Beach Gardens), and Liam Ly (Delray Beach). Saturday’s opening round also served as a qualifier for the South Florida Junior PGA Championship, with twelve boys and six girls qualifying for the Championship, which will be held June 16-17 at Stonebridge Country Club. Boys: William Richards, Ryan Nana Tanke, Liam Ly, Trevor Tingle, Tucker Cullinan, Nicolas Sanchez, Carter Brooks, Ryan Toole, Kalani Centeno, Matthew Hernandez, Ryan Nieto, and Jack McCue IV. Girls: Angela Nip, Zoe Shamy, Eva Lye, Jaime Baker, Stella Ronja Lind, and Micaela Ruidias. The Srixon South Florida PGA Junior Medalist Tour season will continue May 10th - 11th at PGA National Resort on the Fazio Course. Leaderboard