Categories: Sponsored Golf News - Florida Golf

Golf Tournaments Shine on the First Coast This February

Close up of a beautiful golf course

News Summary

February brings an exhilarating lineup of golf events on the First Coast, including the prestigious Underwood Cup Matches at Deerwood Country Club and the Sea Best Invitational at Atlantic Beach Country Club. Local junior golfers also have opportunities to showcase their skills, while notable achievements like Joe Pesek’s hole-in-one highlight the talent of local players. It’s a month full of competitive spirit and community pride.

Exciting Golf Events and Local Achievements Highlight February

Wow, golf fans! February is gearing up to be a spectacular month for all things golf on the First Coast. With thrilling tournaments lined up and local golfers making waves, it’s time to grab those clubs and head out!

The 34th Annual Underwood Cup Matches Approaches

First up, we have the 34th Underwood Cup Matches taking place at the lovely Deerwood Country Club on February 3-4. This is one of those events that every golf enthusiast marks on their calendar. The competition features talented amateurs squaring off against skilled professionals from the Northern Chapter of the PGA. What’s even more exciting? This year marks the Underwood Cup’s debut at Deerwood after years of being hosted at Timuquana Country Club.

The pros are hoping to keep their winning streak alive, having bagged the last two titles. This achievement hasn’t been seen since the glory days of 1996-97! The dynamic captains are again in the spotlight, with Mike Broderick from Deerwood and Michael Del Rocco from San Jose leading their teams.

Get ready for fierce competition! The format includes six four-ball matches and six foursome matches on day one, followed by twelve singles matches on day two. Here’s the scoop: the professionals need just 12 points to keep the trophy, but the amateurs will need to score 12.5 points to take the cup. There’s a little shake-up in the team lineup as well, with Marshall Collins and Rob Lee stepping in to fill in for Jennifer Borocz and Jake Etherton.

Sea Best Invitational Shifts Gears

Next, we’re buzzing about the Sea Best Invitational hosted by Jacksonville University at the iconic Atlantic Beach Country Club. This year marks a fresh chapter as the tournament shifts from TPC Sawgrass Dye’s Valley, where it had been held since 2008. Expect excitement as teams from various universities, including Florida Atlantic, Florida Gulf Coast, and Kennesaw, take center stage, plus individual competitors from the Florida Gators ready to put their skills to the test!

Upcoming Junior Golf Events

And don’t forget about the future stars of the game! Registration is now open for the Augusta National Drive, Chip and Putt competition for junior golfers aged 7-15. Local qualifiers will kick off in May, with events happening at St. Simons Island, Jacksonville Beach Golf Club, and St. Johns Golf Club throughout the summer. This is a thrilling opportunity as the competition celebrates its 12th year, culminating in the National Finals at the prestigious Augusta National on April 5, 2026!

Shining Local Achievements

Let’s spotlight some incredible local achievements! Joe Pesek, a retired pediatrician, notched his 12th career hole-in-one at the Starke Golf Club with a stunning shot using a 5-hybrid from just 120 yards. Fantastic stuff! Additionally, Jacksonville University’s men’s golf team displayed sheer talent by winning three out of four matches against Georgia Southern to claim the coveted Pablo Creek Cup with a nail-biting score of 8.5-7.5. Special kudos to Daniel Montalvo and Brandon Lohr for their remarkable performance!

Women’s Golf Brilliance

On the women’s side, Jacksonville University’s ladies team finished in a respectable fifth place at the Sea Best Intercollegiate. Hats off to Susana Olivares for tying for an impressive fourth in the individual rankings. The Florida Gators shone brightly as they secured the team title at the same event, with Mercedes Aldana and Louisa Gauthier tying for individual honors. Furthermore, the Florida State Golf Association’s Women’s Winter Series saw Therese Quinn and Lin Culver clenching the Four-ball title at the Country Club of Ocala. Great job, ladies!

Other Noteworthy Performances

In addition to all these accomplishments, it’s hard to overlook Jeff Kaufman and John Milton, who both secured third-place finishes in their respective divisions at the FSGA Winter Series at King & Bear. Meanwhile, young golfer Benny Ossi faced a nail-biting elimination on the second playoff hole at the Florida Junior Tour Palm Harbor Open. Not to be left behind, Ethan Grossman snagged a solid second place in the FJT Hawkstone Open for boys aged 16-18. Additionally, Jack Cole and Lily Chiang also showcased impressive performances in their divisions.

With so many thrilling happenings in the world of golf this February, both seasoned pros and enthusiastic newcomers should keep their clubs ready and their spirits high. Who knows what extraordinary moments might unfold?