News Summary
February is set to be an exhilarating month for golf enthusiasts on the First Coast. Key events include the 34th Underwood Cup Matches at Deerwood Country Club, the Sea Best Invitational, and numerous local junior competitions, showcasing both professional and amateur talent. Local golfers are achieving notable feats, and the landscape is ripe with potential and competition as the community comes together to celebrate their shared passion for the sport.
Exciting Golf Events and Local Achievements Highlight February
February is shaping up to be a thrilling month for golf lovers on the First Coast. With a lineup of exciting tournaments and impressive local achievements, there’s plenty to celebrate!
The 34th Annual Underwood Cup Matches Approaches
First on the list is the 34th Underwood Cup Matches, happening at the Deerwood Country Club on February 3-4. This much-anticipated event pits talented amateurs against professionals from the Northern Chapter of the PGA. This year marks a special occasion, as the Underwood Cup has made its debut at Deerwood, after years of being hosted at the Timuquana Country Club from 1992 until 2022, with stints at San Jose and back to Timuquana planned for the next couple of years.
The professionals are looking to extend their winning streak, having claimed the last two titles—a feat not accomplished since 1996-97. As with any good competition, the captains are crucial. Team roles will once again feature Mike Broderick, the head pro at Deerwood, and Michael Del Rocco, a member of San Jose, leading their respective squads.
The format for the matches is all about the competition. Teams will battle it out in six four-ball matches and six foursome matches on the first day, ultimately leading to twelve singles matches on the second day. The professionals require 12 points to retain the cup, while the amateurs need 12.5 points to snatch it away from them. However, there’s a change in the lineup to watch for: Jennifer Borocz and Jake Etherton have bowed out, paving the way for Marshall Collins and Rob Lee to step in.
Sea Best Invitational Shifts Gears
Next up, the Sea Best Invitational is set to take place, hosted by Jacksonville University at the iconic Atlantic Beach Country Club. This marks a new chapter for the tournament, as it moves from the TPC Sawgrass Dye’s Valley after being held there since 2008. With teams from various universities including Florida Atlantic, Florida Gulf Coast, Kennesaw, and even individual competitors from the Florida Gators, this event promises to deliver exciting matchups.
Upcoming Junior Golf Events
As we celebrate pros, let’s not forget the budding talent! The registration for the Augusta National Drive, Chip and Putt competition is now open for junior golfers aged 7-15. Local qualifying rounds will kick off in May, with specific events at St. Simons Island on June 2, Jacksonville Beach Golf Club on June 5, and St. Johns Golf Club on July 10. This is the 12th year for this fantastic competition, which operates in all 50 states, wrapping up with the National Finals at the renowned Augusta National on April 5, 2026!
Shining Local Achievements
On the achievements front, some locals are making waves! Joe Pesek, a retired pediatrician, recently scored his 12th career hole-in-one at the Starke Golf Club, hitting an impressive 5-hybrid from 120 yards. Meanwhile, Jacksonville University’s men’s golf team put on a show, winning three of four matches against Georgia Southern to clinch the Pablo Creek Cup with a narrow 8.5-7.5 victory. Special mentions go to Daniel Montalvo and Brandon Lohr, who achieved a remarkable 5 and 4 win in their match!
Women’s Golf Brilliance
Over on the women’s side, Jacksonville University women’s team finished in fifth place at the Sea Best Intercollegiate, while Susana Olivares tied for individual fourth. Additionally, Florida secured the team title at this same event, with Mercedes Aldana and Louisa Gauthier tying for individual honors. Florida State Golf Association’s Women’s Winter Series also saw Therese Quinn and Lin Culver taking home the Four-ball title at the Country Club of Ocala.
Other Noteworthy Performances
Adding to the list of impressive performances, Jeff Kaufman and John Milton both earned third-place finishes in their respective divisions at the FSGA Winter Series at King & Bear. Young golfer Benny Ossi faced a nail-biting elimination on the second playoff hole at the Florida Junior Tour Palm Harbor Open. Meanwhile, Ethan Grossman captured second place in the FJT Hawkstone Open boys 16-18 tournament, with strong performances from Jack Cole and Lily Chiang in their divisions as well.
With so much happening in the world of golf this February, both seasoned pros and excited newcomers should definitely keep their clubs ready and their spirits high!
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