The Honda Classic is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour at PGA National Resort & Spa Champions Course in Palm Beach Gardens.  Tour professionals will visit our area February 25 - March 3, 2019 to not only play golf but to raise money for South Florida charities including the JGFA (Junior Golf Foundation of America). DISCOUNTED tickets to attend The Honda Classic are available at Okeeheelee and Park Ridge Golf Courses.  ​

This year attendees will have an opportunity to see Brooks Koepka play.  Koepka is not only a 3-time Major Winner but he is a local boy  who spent his early years at Okeeheelee Golf Course. 
2/10/19 Update:  Justin Thomas will also be playing in the Honda Classic this year. 

Now if you prefer a FREE ticket to The Honda Classic, the JGFA is requesting volunteers to help at their concession stand.  Call 561-964-4653 ext. 5 to sign up before all spots are taken. 

The 12th Annual Palm Beach County Putting Classic is set for Saturday, March 16, 2019. The practice putting green at Okeeheelee Golf Course will serve as the backdrop for this creative "miniature golf course" competition.  Each year golfers gather to participate in this fun event to raise money for the Junior Golf Foundation of America, Inc. which offers all children an opportunity to learn and play golf.  I have the honor of teaching those children all day every Saturday, making me  unavailable to participate in this event but I hope you will attend.  

Summer golf camp is a great way to get your kids excited about the game of golf.  We teach fundamentals but we also make it fun to learn and excel in the basics of swing, chip and putt. The JGFA golf camp is also unique in that we teach golfers of varying ages and skills together. This environment creates unexpected friendships and fosters friendly competition.

As a Golf Teaching Professional, I tend to be firm and direct yet encouraging with the junior golfers.  This means I do not tolerate nonsense during my teaching sessions.  I believe there is a time and place for fun.  One of those times is at the end of a hot day when I have arranged for an impromptu water balloon fight.  I don't do these everyday but when I do we have a blast and inevitably I end up getting soaked. 

The most rewarding part of camp for me is seeing the growth. I recall one camper with a great baseball swing, he would make contact with the golf ball but the distance suffered.  It was a challenge for him to make the adjustment to a golf swing, but when he finally got it, he was amazed by how far the ball could travel. 

Some of our  advanced junior golfers serve as volunteers and often compete against the campers in skill drills.  These are usually opportunities for the campers to see what's possible for their future if they continue to practice.  Once in awhile, a camper is victorious, like when an 11 year-old female won a chipping contest against one of our most accomplished volunteers.  

This summer I created a new skill challenge with cones to help the campers become more proficient with putts that curve about three feet.  This is a more advanced skill but one 10-year old female was able to get the putt in the hole.  I also offer $5 to the camper who can sink a 50 -foot putt and I have had two 6-year old campers earn that prize this summer. 

Only two more weeks of summer golf camp left, register your golfer today!

The Junior Golf Foundation of America, Inc. hosted their first Junior Tournament this past Sunday. I encouraged several of my junior students to participate because it gives them an opportunity to play against other golfers their age.  Additionally, they will see first-hand how they play when I am not standing close-by to offer guidance.  For my students it opened up a need to focus on a specific skill in our next lesson, it made them aware that playing competitively very stressful and most importantly playing in a tournament is a great way to build confidence.

The summer is a great time to reconnect families through golf.  Families that golf together stay together. Well it has worked for my family. I play with my daughter and I play with my brothers when we are in the same city.  We have a lot of fun but we are also a tad bit competitive.  If you feel the same way, consider participating in the next Parent-Child Scramble.  Details are below: