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Three South Florida PGA Members Qualify for 2024 PGA Championship

By Matt De Tullio • 02 May, 2024
West Palm Beach, FL - South Florida PGA of America Professionals Evan Bowser, Tyler Collet and Jeremy Wells qualified for the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club, finishing in the top-10 yesterday at the PGA Professional Championship at PGA Frisco’s Fields Ranch. Bowser, Assistant Professional at LaPlaya Golf Club (Naples), Collet, Assistant Professional at John’s Island Club (Vero Beach) and Wells, Director of Development at Cypress Lake Golf Club (Fort Myers) will join 17 other PGA of America Professionals as the Corebridge Financial PGA Team at Valhalla Golf Club. The PGA Professional Championship (PPC) is the annual “National Championship” for PGA of America Golf Professionals who qualify for the event through the 41 Section’s individual championships. For the first time in Section history, the South Florida PGA will have three representatives at the PGA Championship. “Having three Section Members make the PGA Championship for the first time in Section history validates how strong of players PGA Professionals are in the South Florida Section,” said Geoff Lofstead, Executive Director of the South Florida PGA. This year’s PPC was held, for the first time, at PGA Frisco’s Fields Ranch. Due to weather, the start of the opening round was delayed substantially, ultimately causing delays for the rest of the week, adding another layer of difficulty. “This week was full of just grind mode,” said Collet. “With weather delays, fog delays, wind and gnarly rough, I was very happy to walk with a top-20 finish.” Collet obtained his Class-A PGA Membership in 2018 after graduating from Eastern Kentucky University with a Professional Golf Management degree. After finishing in a tie for sixth yesterday, Collet will be making his third PGA Championship start, with prior starts being in the 2021 and 2022 PGA Championships. The 28-year-old Collet has enjoyed an exciting 2024 playing season, already making starts at the Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches and the Puerto Rico Open, where he made his first cut on the PGA TOUR. “This just keeps the momentum going for me and gives me more and more confidence going forward,” explained Collet. Bowser made his first trip to the PGA of America Frisco Headquarters last year as an associate for his level three PGA seminar, the very same week as the 2023 PPC. “I thought to myself, I should be playing in this event next year,” said Bowser who became a full member in 2023 and finished tied for eighth yesterday at his first PPC. “It is amazing how it all came together.” The week was incredibly special for Bowser and his entire family as his sister was on the bag all week with his Dad and wife following along showing their support. “Honestly they are happier than me,” said Bowser. “Plus I'm thankful for all my supporters at LaPLaya Golf Club for helping me achieve this goal.” During the 2023 PPC, Wells entered the final round in a tie for 29th. He managed to match the final round low, moving up the leaderboard to seventh place, clinching his first Major Championship berth in his first attempt at the PPC, much like Bowser this year. Entering the 2024 final round, Wells was in a tie for 44th, making his attempt for consecutive PGA Championship berths a tall task. Once again, Wells was up for the challenge, firing the final round low (70) by two shots and moving 37 spots up the leaderboard to finish in a tie for eighth. “I shot 80 (in round three) and I'm still kind of in it, "explained Wells. “That's how hard that place was. If I just go out and shoot under-par, I have a really good chance.” Tomorrow, Wells will officially be a Class-A PGA Member for two years, he is now on his way to making his second PGA Championship start. “To make it through in my first two tries to the PGA Championship, I am incredibly proud of that,” said Wells. “There are 30,000 of us and to get down to the top-20 twice in a row, I wouldn't of predicted that.” Bowser, Collet and Wells will all travel to Valhalla Golf Club to represent the South Florida PGA and their respective facilities at the 2024 Championship, May 16-19.

April Foundation Spotlight: Jerry Impellittiere, PGA, Drives Hope For Veterans Through Golf

30 Apr, 2024
Jerry Impellittiere, PGA Director of Instruction at Monarch Country Club, found more than just a career in golf; he found a calling. Having grown up in the shadow of the United States Military Academy at West Point, where his father worked for nearly five decades, Impellittiere’s early experiences around those who served instilled deep-seated respect and a desire to give back to the military community. “It is incredible the sacrifices these Veterans have put down for us and seeing their courage and fight despite what they have endured,” said Impellittiere. Military continued to be a big part of Impellittiere’s life after he started his career as a PGA of America Professional. “When I owned my driving range in New York, I employed several individuals from the nearby Stewart Air Force Base,” noted Impellittiere. “I would support Master Chief Bruce Lubkeman’s golf events and hold clinics for Officers and enlisted personnel.” After operating his driving range for nearly 30 years, Impellittiere moved to south Florida. “When I transferred from the Met [Metropolitan PGA Section] to South Florida, I was looking for some way to get involved to help Veterans,” recalled Impellittiere. It was then that Judy Alvarez, PGA, a pioneering figure in the PGA HOPE program in south Florida, introduced him to PGA HOPE. PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is a free program that allows Veterans and Active Duty Military to learn the game of golf. Golf is proven to help Veterans assimilate back into their community and improve their overall well-being through the social interaction and camaraderie the game provides. “I immediately got involved, completed the adaptive golf and military cultural competency training, and started teaching classes as a certified instructor,” said Impellittiere. Impellittiere’s involvement with PGA HOPE is more than just a professional commitment; it is a heartfelt mission. "I love helping the Vets," Impellittiere often says, reflecting on his passion for teaching golf and his admiration for those who have served. "I never had to serve, so this is a way that I can give back to those who did." In 2022, Impellittiere received the South Florida PGA Patriot Award. The Section presents the Patriot Award to a PGA of America Professional who personifies patriotism through the game of golf and demonstrates unwavering commitment and dedication to the men and women who have valiantly served and protected the United States of America. Through his work with PGA HOPE, Impellittiere has encountered over 160 Veterans, each with harrowing tales of sacrifice and resilience. “One person who has always stood out to me is Mary [Anderson-Kokell],” said Impellittiere. “She isolated herself for a long time, and yet a single golf ball lured her from seclusion, eventually leading her to become an ambassador for the program. Now she is changing the lives of other Veterans.” Amid the inspiring stories of recovery and camaraderie, Impellittiere has also been confronted with the grim reality of Veteran suicide. “The one thing that rips my heart out is the fact that 22 Veterans a day commit suicide,” stated Impellittiere. “This little white golf ball we all obsess about is a miracle in many Vets’ lives.” PGA HOPE has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which enables direct referrals to the PGA HOPE program as a form of therapy. Impellittiere’s journey with PGA HOPE and his dedication to serving Veterans showcases the profound impact that compassion, gratitude, and a little golf can have on the lives of those who have served. “This whole program just humbles me, and that’s why I am so glad I am in a position where I can give back,” said Impellittiere. The South Florida PGA Foundation is a not-for-profit organization founded to support the south Florida community, focusing on military, junior golf, and education. The South Florida PGA Foundation falls under the direction of the South Florida PGA, a not-for-profit organization comprised of 2,000 men and women PGA of America Professionals serving as experts in business and the game of golf. Click here to support PGA HOPE programming in south Florida. Click here to get involved.

Taking Full Advantage - Jeremy Wells, PGA (April Member Spotlight)

By Matt De Tullio • 26 Apr, 2024
“As soon as I finished my round, I was taken in a golf cart up the hill for a golf channel interview,” recalled Jeremy Wells, PGA, remembering the moment he qualified for the 2023 PGA Championship. “I called my wife and couldn’t even talk, I was so emotional. It was just a very proud moment in my life.” Going into the final round of the 2023 PGA Professional Championship (PPC) in New Mexico, Wells, Director of Player Development at Cypress Lake Golf Club, was in a tie for 29th and needed to get inside the top-20 to qualify for the PGA Championship. Wells delivered and fired a final round low 66, moving him 22 spots up the leaderboard, into seventh place. “It is just amazing how quickly things can change on a golf course,” Wells said. “A few hours earlier I was in a divot in the middle of the fairway about to make a bogey to move to 40th place and three hours later I'm on the golf channel thinking about how my kids are going to be watching me play against guys like Jon Rahm.” While qualifying for a Major Championship is an incredible feat, it wasn’t the only major accomplishment for Wells in the months leading into the PPC. Playing in the PGA Professional Championships requires being a Class-A PGA of America Professional which Wells earned in May of 2022. The new status allowed him to compete in the South Florida PGA Professional Championship that September where his third place finish qualified him for the PPC, April 30-May 3, 2023. Just 15 days later, Wells was teeing it up in the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club, competing against the best players in the world. A Virginia native, Wells grew up around the game, attending the College of William and Mary where he competed on the golf team for all four years. Upon graduation, Wells, like many aspiring TOUR players do, moved to south Florida. He settled in Fort Myers and was fortunate to find Cypress Lake Golf Club where he practiced and played while competing on mini-tours. After three years, Wells wasn’t seeing the results he wanted and decided to try teaching, as someone who has always loved the mechanics of the golf swing. He began giving lessons at a local driving range in August of 2016. “I still remember my first paycheck for two weeks. I made $1,100 and that was more money than I had ever made for a few weeks of teaching compared to three years of playing,” Wells recalled laughing. The transition was smooth for Wells and proved to be a smart decision financially and professionally. “I’ve always had an obsession with the mechanics of the golf swing so it was a natural transition to get into teaching,” he said. “Towards the end of my first season I had basically a full book of business at a local driving range.” Wells continued teaching for the next two-and-half years before deciding to enter the PGA Associate Program. For Wells, the idea of becoming a Member was perfect. “I can be busy teaching all winter, and then when my lesson book isn't as full in the summertime, I can go and play competitive golf against my peers,” he explained. Officially committed to his career as a teacher, Wells had the opportunity to move into a full-time teaching role at Cypress Lake, the facility that was so gracious to him as a player. With this role, Wells gained support and mentorship from the PGA Professionals at the facility, which allowed him to stay motivated to finish the Associate Program. Once completed in May of 2022, Wells took off, making the most of his PGA Membership and all the opportunities that became possible with it. At 33 years old, Wells is as happy as he has ever been personally and professionally. “It is a very well-rounded situation that I have created and I am very proud of what I've done,” he explained. “I spend every day trying to help members at Cypress Lake enjoy their golf games and their lives more, but I also get to compete at a national level and potentially a world level at a PGA Championship. I am incredibly proud of the work I have done.” As Wells reflects on an incredible first two years as a PGA of America Professional, he once again has the chance to play on one of the biggest stages in golf as he competes in the 2024 PGA Professional Championship, starting Sunday at PGA Frisco’s Fields Ranch, vying to once again finish in the top-20 to make his second consecutive PGA Championship start.
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About SFPGA

The South Florida Section of the PGA of America is an association of golf professionals whose mission is to promote interest, participation and enjoyment in the game of golf; establish and maintain professional standards or practice; and enhance the well-being of golf professionals.

What's the News?

Three South Florida PGA Members Qualify for 2024 PGA Championship

By Matt De Tullio • 02 May, 2024
West Palm Beach, FL - South Florida PGA of America Professionals Evan Bowser, Tyler Collet and Jeremy Wells qualified for the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club, finishing in the top-10 yesterday at the PGA Professional Championship at PGA Frisco’s Fields Ranch. Bowser, Assistant Professional at LaPlaya Golf Club (Naples), Collet, Assistant Professional at John’s Island Club (Vero Beach) and Wells, Director of Development at Cypress Lake Golf Club (Fort Myers) will join 17 other PGA of America Professionals as the Corebridge Financial PGA Team at Valhalla Golf Club. The PGA Professional Championship (PPC) is the annual “National Championship” for PGA of America Golf Professionals who qualify for the event through the 41 Section’s individual championships. For the first time in Section history, the South Florida PGA will have three representatives at the PGA Championship. “Having three Section Members make the PGA Championship for the first time in Section history validates how strong of players PGA Professionals are in the South Florida Section,” said Geoff Lofstead, Executive Director of the South Florida PGA. This year’s PPC was held, for the first time, at PGA Frisco’s Fields Ranch. Due to weather, the start of the opening round was delayed substantially, ultimately causing delays for the rest of the week, adding another layer of difficulty. “This week was full of just grind mode,” said Collet. “With weather delays, fog delays, wind and gnarly rough, I was very happy to walk with a top-20 finish.” Collet obtained his Class-A PGA Membership in 2018 after graduating from Eastern Kentucky University with a Professional Golf Management degree. After finishing in a tie for sixth yesterday, Collet will be making his third PGA Championship start, with prior starts being in the 2021 and 2022 PGA Championships. The 28-year-old Collet has enjoyed an exciting 2024 playing season, already making starts at the Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches and the Puerto Rico Open, where he made his first cut on the PGA TOUR. “This just keeps the momentum going for me and gives me more and more confidence going forward,” explained Collet. Bowser made his first trip to the PGA of America Frisco Headquarters last year as an associate for his level three PGA seminar, the very same week as the 2023 PPC. “I thought to myself, I should be playing in this event next year,” said Bowser who became a full member in 2023 and finished tied for eighth yesterday at his first PPC. “It is amazing how it all came together.” The week was incredibly special for Bowser and his entire family as his sister was on the bag all week with his Dad and wife following along showing their support. “Honestly they are happier than me,” said Bowser. “Plus I'm thankful for all my supporters at LaPLaya Golf Club for helping me achieve this goal.” During the 2023 PPC, Wells entered the final round in a tie for 29th. He managed to match the final round low, moving up the leaderboard to seventh place, clinching his first Major Championship berth in his first attempt at the PPC, much like Bowser this year. Entering the 2024 final round, Wells was in a tie for 44th, making his attempt for consecutive PGA Championship berths a tall task. Once again, Wells was up for the challenge, firing the final round low (70) by two shots and moving 37 spots up the leaderboard to finish in a tie for eighth. “I shot 80 (in round three) and I'm still kind of in it, "explained Wells. “That's how hard that place was. If I just go out and shoot under-par, I have a really good chance.” Tomorrow, Wells will officially be a Class-A PGA Member for two years, he is now on his way to making his second PGA Championship start. “To make it through in my first two tries to the PGA Championship, I am incredibly proud of that,” said Wells. “There are 30,000 of us and to get down to the top-20 twice in a row, I wouldn't of predicted that.” Bowser, Collet and Wells will all travel to Valhalla Golf Club to represent the South Florida PGA and their respective facilities at the 2024 Championship, May 16-19.

April Foundation Spotlight: Jerry Impellittiere, PGA, Drives Hope For Veterans Through Golf

30 Apr, 2024
Jerry Impellittiere, PGA Director of Instruction at Monarch Country Club, found more than just a career in golf; he found a calling. Having grown up in the shadow of the United States Military Academy at West Point, where his father worked for nearly five decades, Impellittiere’s early experiences around those who served instilled deep-seated respect and a desire to give back to the military community. “It is incredible the sacrifices these Veterans have put down for us and seeing their courage and fight despite what they have endured,” said Impellittiere. Military continued to be a big part of Impellittiere’s life after he started his career as a PGA of America Professional. “When I owned my driving range in New York, I employed several individuals from the nearby Stewart Air Force Base,” noted Impellittiere. “I would support Master Chief Bruce Lubkeman’s golf events and hold clinics for Officers and enlisted personnel.” After operating his driving range for nearly 30 years, Impellittiere moved to south Florida. “When I transferred from the Met [Metropolitan PGA Section] to South Florida, I was looking for some way to get involved to help Veterans,” recalled Impellittiere. It was then that Judy Alvarez, PGA, a pioneering figure in the PGA HOPE program in south Florida, introduced him to PGA HOPE. PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is a free program that allows Veterans and Active Duty Military to learn the game of golf. Golf is proven to help Veterans assimilate back into their community and improve their overall well-being through the social interaction and camaraderie the game provides. “I immediately got involved, completed the adaptive golf and military cultural competency training, and started teaching classes as a certified instructor,” said Impellittiere. Impellittiere’s involvement with PGA HOPE is more than just a professional commitment; it is a heartfelt mission. "I love helping the Vets," Impellittiere often says, reflecting on his passion for teaching golf and his admiration for those who have served. "I never had to serve, so this is a way that I can give back to those who did." In 2022, Impellittiere received the South Florida PGA Patriot Award. The Section presents the Patriot Award to a PGA of America Professional who personifies patriotism through the game of golf and demonstrates unwavering commitment and dedication to the men and women who have valiantly served and protected the United States of America. Through his work with PGA HOPE, Impellittiere has encountered over 160 Veterans, each with harrowing tales of sacrifice and resilience. “One person who has always stood out to me is Mary [Anderson-Kokell],” said Impellittiere. “She isolated herself for a long time, and yet a single golf ball lured her from seclusion, eventually leading her to become an ambassador for the program. Now she is changing the lives of other Veterans.” Amid the inspiring stories of recovery and camaraderie, Impellittiere has also been confronted with the grim reality of Veteran suicide. “The one thing that rips my heart out is the fact that 22 Veterans a day commit suicide,” stated Impellittiere. “This little white golf ball we all obsess about is a miracle in many Vets’ lives.” PGA HOPE has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which enables direct referrals to the PGA HOPE program as a form of therapy. Impellittiere’s journey with PGA HOPE and his dedication to serving Veterans showcases the profound impact that compassion, gratitude, and a little golf can have on the lives of those who have served. “This whole program just humbles me, and that’s why I am so glad I am in a position where I can give back,” said Impellittiere. The South Florida PGA Foundation is a not-for-profit organization founded to support the south Florida community, focusing on military, junior golf, and education. The South Florida PGA Foundation falls under the direction of the South Florida PGA, a not-for-profit organization comprised of 2,000 men and women PGA of America Professionals serving as experts in business and the game of golf. Click here to support PGA HOPE programming in south Florida. Click here to get involved.

Taking Full Advantage - Jeremy Wells, PGA (April Member Spotlight)

By Matt De Tullio • 26 Apr, 2024
“As soon as I finished my round, I was taken in a golf cart up the hill for a golf channel interview,” recalled Jeremy Wells, PGA, remembering the moment he qualified for the 2023 PGA Championship. “I called my wife and couldn’t even talk, I was so emotional. It was just a very proud moment in my life.” Going into the final round of the 2023 PGA Professional Championship (PPC) in New Mexico, Wells, Director of Player Development at Cypress Lake Golf Club, was in a tie for 29th and needed to get inside the top-20 to qualify for the PGA Championship. Wells delivered and fired a final round low 66, moving him 22 spots up the leaderboard, into seventh place. “It is just amazing how quickly things can change on a golf course,” Wells said. “A few hours earlier I was in a divot in the middle of the fairway about to make a bogey to move to 40th place and three hours later I'm on the golf channel thinking about how my kids are going to be watching me play against guys like Jon Rahm.” While qualifying for a Major Championship is an incredible feat, it wasn’t the only major accomplishment for Wells in the months leading into the PPC. Playing in the PGA Professional Championships requires being a Class-A PGA of America Professional which Wells earned in May of 2022. The new status allowed him to compete in the South Florida PGA Professional Championship that September where his third place finish qualified him for the PPC, April 30-May 3, 2023. Just 15 days later, Wells was teeing it up in the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club, competing against the best players in the world. A Virginia native, Wells grew up around the game, attending the College of William and Mary where he competed on the golf team for all four years. Upon graduation, Wells, like many aspiring TOUR players do, moved to south Florida. He settled in Fort Myers and was fortunate to find Cypress Lake Golf Club where he practiced and played while competing on mini-tours. After three years, Wells wasn’t seeing the results he wanted and decided to try teaching, as someone who has always loved the mechanics of the golf swing. He began giving lessons at a local driving range in August of 2016. “I still remember my first paycheck for two weeks. I made $1,100 and that was more money than I had ever made for a few weeks of teaching compared to three years of playing,” Wells recalled laughing. The transition was smooth for Wells and proved to be a smart decision financially and professionally. “I’ve always had an obsession with the mechanics of the golf swing so it was a natural transition to get into teaching,” he said. “Towards the end of my first season I had basically a full book of business at a local driving range.” Wells continued teaching for the next two-and-half years before deciding to enter the PGA Associate Program. For Wells, the idea of becoming a Member was perfect. “I can be busy teaching all winter, and then when my lesson book isn't as full in the summertime, I can go and play competitive golf against my peers,” he explained. Officially committed to his career as a teacher, Wells had the opportunity to move into a full-time teaching role at Cypress Lake, the facility that was so gracious to him as a player. With this role, Wells gained support and mentorship from the PGA Professionals at the facility, which allowed him to stay motivated to finish the Associate Program. Once completed in May of 2022, Wells took off, making the most of his PGA Membership and all the opportunities that became possible with it. At 33 years old, Wells is as happy as he has ever been personally and professionally. “It is a very well-rounded situation that I have created and I am very proud of what I've done,” he explained. “I spend every day trying to help members at Cypress Lake enjoy their golf games and their lives more, but I also get to compete at a national level and potentially a world level at a PGA Championship. I am incredibly proud of the work I have done.” As Wells reflects on an incredible first two years as a PGA of America Professional, he once again has the chance to play on one of the biggest stages in golf as he competes in the 2024 PGA Professional Championship, starting Sunday at PGA Frisco’s Fields Ranch, vying to once again finish in the top-20 to make his second consecutive PGA Championship start.
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