SOUTH FLORIDA PGA NAMES JUNIOR PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

 

ATLANTIS, Fla. - The South Florida PGA Junior Tour named six Player of The Year winners for each division last week. The South Florida PGA annually awards Player of the Year honors to one boy and girl in the Challenge Tour 11-12 age division, one boy and girl in the Challenge Tour 13-18 age division and one boy and girl in the Championship Tour division.


Port St. Lucie native Daisuke Nakano has been named the 2017 Championship Tour boys Player of the Year. Nakano, who plays out of Club Med Golf Academy, recently signed with Washington State University for the 2018 season. This is the second consecutive year Nakano has been named Player of the Year for the Championship Tour. Nakano had one win in 2017, and never finished outside the top 5 in any of the events.


Skylee Shin of Doral has been named the 2017 Championship Tour girls Player of the Year. Shin was named the Challenge Tour girls Player of the year in 2016 and followed it up with another dominating season. The 13 year old captured five victories and two runner up finishes.


Garrett Giles of Palm City was named the 2017 Challenge Tour boys Player of the Year after a strong season. The 15 year old won three Challenge Tour Events while also finishing in the top 10 on six occasions.


Chole Kovelesky of Boca Raton was awarded the 2017 Challenge Tour girls Player of the Year honors. Kovelesky put together one of the most dominating seasons on the Challenge Tour this year, capturing top honors in three events, while also never finishing outside the top 10 for the entire season.


Alex Heard of Boca Raton was named the 2017 Challenge Tour boys 11-12 Player of the Year. Heard entered the Junior Tour Championship ranked third in the Player of the Year race, but after a come from behind victory on Sunday at the Junior Tour Championship, Heard also solidified his Player of the Year title as well. Heard finished the year with five victories in the 11-12 age division.


Gabriela Sierra of Weston was named the 2017 Challenge Tour girls 11-12 Player of the Year. Sierra won four events in 2017, while also finishing runner up in four occasions.


The SFPGA Junior Tour presented by The Honda Classic is a membership-based tour open to boys and girls ages 11-18 in South Florida with the aspirations and skill levels to compete at the High School and Collegiate level and features some of South Florida's most talented junior golfers. The Junior Tour offers twenty-five two day championship events for junior golfers in South Florida. The 25 events are divided between the Championship Tour, an invitational tour featuring extended yardages, and the Challenge Tour.


The South Florida PGA Junior Tour is proudly presented by The Honda Classic and supported by Antigua, Club Chef, Don Law Golf Academy, Junior.Golf, Lipman Produce, Natalie's Orchid Island Juice Company, Palm Beach County Sports Commission, Power Crunch, Pukka, The Men's Fun Group at Mirasol, Skimp, Titleist, Florida Institute for Performance and TLINK Golf.



The South Florida PGA Junior Tour, run under the South Florida PGA Foundation, is committed to its mission of keeping membership and tournament-related costs low while providing first-class quality golf at twenty-five championship courses throughout South Florida over the course of the entire Junior Tour season."

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July 30, 2025
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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
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