South Florida PGA

Vero Beach, FL - For the sixth consecutive year, the South Florida PGA Section has claimed victory over the North Florida PGA Section in the Annual Challenge Cup Matches. Hosted at John’s Island Club (West Course) October 14-15, Team South Florida narrowly edged out Team North Florida, securing a 12.5 to 11.5 win in the Ryder Cup-style competition. This marks the South Florida PGA's 30th overall Challenge Cup victory, while North Florida remains at 14 all-time wins. Four-Ball Matches The two-day event opened with morning Four-Ball matches, where South Florida quickly set the pace, taking a 3.5 to 2.5 lead. The team of Michael Kartrude, PGA Director of Golf at Nokosi, and John Somers, PGA Assistant Professional at Hobe Sound Golf Club, set the tone early, winning their opening match 5 & 4. Tyler Collet, PGA Assistant Professional at John’s Island Club, and Austin Jarchow, PGA Golf Instructor at Boca West Country Club, backed up that momentum, winning their match 6 & 5. Andrew Filbert, PGA Assistant Professional at Golf Club of the Everglades, and Justin Smith, PGA Golf Instructor at Bonita Bay Club, also secured a 3 & 1 win to add to the morning total. Though North Florida managed to take two of the morning matches, South Florida’s Nick Beddow, PGA Assistant Professional at APOGEE, and Matt Cahill, PGA Head Professional at Seminole Golf Club, managed a critical half-point to ensure a Day 1 morning advantage. Foursome Matches Mirroring their morning success, the SFPGA squad once again secured 3.5 points to North Florida's 2.5. South Florida claimed three outright victories and another vital tie from Collet and Jarchow to keep the points tally ticking upward. By replicating their morning results, winning three matches, tying one, and losing two, Team South Florida was able to finish Day 1 with a 7 to 5 overall advantage, with only Singles matches to determine the team champions. Singles Matches Heading into the final day's Singles matches, South Florida needed just 5 points to retain the Cup and 5.5 to win it outright. However, North Florida wouldn't make it easy. In the opening match, Collet faced off against North Florida's Sandra Changkija, PGA Assistant Professional at Sugar Mill Country Club, who surged to a commanding 4-up lead heading into the back nine. Though Collet battled hard down the stretch, Changkija held on to win 3 & 1, handing South Florida their first loss of the day. South Florida bounced back quickly thanks to Derron Peyton, PGA Assistant Professional at BallenIsles Country Club, who closed out his opponent with a decisive 5 & 4 victory to put a crucial point on the board. Additional singles wins from Evan Bowser, PGA Assistant Professional at Wilderness Country Club (4 & 3), Smith (4 & 3), and Jarchow (2 & 1) kept South Florida in the driver's seat. With the overall score tightening down the stretch, the entire championship came down to the wire. South Florida scraped by with a 12.5 to 11.5 overall victory, sealed by Justin Hicks, PGA Golf Instructor at Stonebridge Country Club, who secured a 2 & 1 win over Mac Harris, PGA Assistant Professional at Timuquana Country Club, to close out his match on the 17th hole. Each 12-player team was composed of PGA of America Golf Professionals who earned their invitations based on the ROLEX Player of the Year Points Standings. Captained by Joe Allinder (PGA Head Professional at Imperial Golf Club), South Florida’s winning roster included: Nick Beddow, Evan Bowser, Matt Cahill, Tyler Collet, Andrew Filbert, Justin Hicks, Austin Jarchow, Michael Kartrude, Derron Peyton, Justin Smith, John Somers, and Jeremy Wells. Leaderboard