South Florida PGA Foundation teams up with Habitat for Humanity

STUART, Fla. -- The Habitat for Humanity of Martin County, in partnership with the South Florida PGA Foundation, broke ground Saturday for a new home in Stuart.

The foundation donated $50,000 to the project and PGA professionals and their apprentices from across South Florida will assist in the building process.

"The Foundation is one step closer to achieving our goal; to build a home in every county of the South Florida Section," South Florida PGA Foundation President Tom Wildenhaus said.

The home will be purchased by Tandra Islam, where she will reside with her two children. Islam is a Martin County School District employee and will be a first-time homeowner.

To learn more about the Habitat for Humanity of Martin County, call 772-223-9940 or visit www.habitatmartin.org.

Girls Golf Program

The Indian River Golf Foundation will sponsor an orientation for LPGA and USGA Girls Golf for ages 2-17 from 3 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Abbotts Frozen Custard, 4140 20th St., Vero Beach.

The orientation is free and open to all girls -- and their parents.

The informal session targets those who have played little or no golf.

Professional golfer Tatiana Spallone, an assistant golf professional at Sandridge Golf Club, will conduct the clinic with the help of LPGA/Symetra Tour pro Jackie Stoelting and Indian River Golf Foundation SNAG Golf Coordinator Amanda Sloop.

For information, contact Sloop at 786-282-4566 or at sloop613@yahoo.com.

FOS BENEFIT TOURNAMENT

The Signature Golf Tournament will be April 8 at the Champions Club at Summerfield, 3400 S.E. Summerfield Way, Stuart.

Registration will begin at 8 a.m. on April 8 with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. Entry fee is $150 per player or $600 for a foursome, which includes all golf and lunch.

The event will benefit the Florida Oceanographic Society, in the memory of Barbara Briggs Trimble.

There will be a special guest appearance by World Golf Hall of Famer Chi Chi Rodriguez.

For information or to register, call 772-349-2045 or visit FloridaOcean.org.

PGA OF AMERICA PROGRAM

The PGA of America, based in Palm Beach Gardens, announced that 33 PGA Professionals from around the country completed the requirements to achieve advanced certification through the PGA Certified Professional Program 2.0 (CPP 2.0).

Michelle M. Hupfer, with the PGA Education Center in Port St. Lucie (South Florida PGA Section), received certification in player development.

PGA CPP 2.0 ensures that PGA members have the skills, competencies and training required by employers and customers in the golf industry.

Since the PGA Certified Professional Program's inception in 2004, a total of 1,084 PGA Professionals have earned a combined 1,919 certifications.

HOLES-IN-ONE

Richard Duch had a hole-in-one Feb. 29 on the 112-yard, No. 8 hole on the Dunes Course at the Sandridge Golf Club in Vero Beach, using a 9-iron.

Ray Weir had a hole-in-one March 2 on the 152-yard, No. 3 hole at Club Med Sandpiper in Port St. Lucie, using a 6-wood. The shot was witnessed by Tony Curreri.

Bill Synenko had a hole-in-one March 5 on the 112-yard, No. 5 hole on the Lakes Course at the Sandridge, Golf Club, using a 6-iron.

Ken Avallone had a hole-in-one March 7 on the 170-yard, No. 16 hole at Club Med Sandpiper, using a 3-wood. The shot was witnessed by Gary Marx, Ron Dessault and Carl Hancock.

Kevin Donnelly had a hole-in-one on March 8 on the 153-yard, No. 3 hole on the Dunes Course at Sandridge, using a 5-metal.

Jerry Loomey had a hole-in-one on March 9 on the 140-yard, No. 4 hole at Martin Downs in Palm City, using a 5-iron. The shot was witnessed by Ed Ruane, Dennis Gibson and Les Frost.