Local golf column: ACE Group Classic announces Browne, Cochran, Funk, Haas, O'Meara commitments

Five Champions Tour majors winners committed to the 25th ACE Group Classic on Tuesday.

Olin Browne, Russ Cochran, Fred Funk, Jay Haas and Mark O'Meara will be coming to the TwinEagles Club from Feb. 13-19.

In addition, tournament fans can register online at www.acegroupclassic.com for an opportunity to walk inside the ropes with a professional.

"The level of talent we have playing in this year's tournament speaks to the core of what makes Champions Tour golf great — accomplished players and engaging personalities that fans of all ages can enjoy," tournament director Lesley Baker said in a press release. "We're thrilled about what the 25th anniversary of Champions Tour golf in Southwest Florida has in store for the Naples community."

Cochran, the defending Senior British Open champion, returns to Naples after finishing tied for third last year. Cochran will be joined by Mark Calcavecchia, who he beat last July to capture his first major title.

For an exclusive opportunity to walk inside-the-ropes during official tournament play, The ACE Group Classic also is announcing the Honorary Observer Contest presented by the Naples Daily News. Contest winners will get the chance to meet Champions Tour pros, take photos, receive autographs and walk inside-the-ropes during rounds of the tournament. Contest entries are available online at www.acegroupclassic.com and entrants must be at least 12 years or older. The deadline to enter is Feb. 10.

Tickets are available online at www.acegroupclassic.com or by calling (239) 593-3900. Children 17 and under are admitted free all week with a ticketed adult. Admission is free Feb. 13 and 14.

Aces and aces: Mike Robinson of The Glades made holes-in-one a week apart. He aced the 80-yard No. 10 Palmetto with a gap wedge on Jan. 13, and then the 90-yard No. 8 Palmetto on Jan. 20. Vicki Robinson witnessed both of them.

On Jan. 12, Sandra Diehm of Stonebridge made her fourth hole-in-one in eight months when she used an 8-iron on No. 5.

And Bentley Village "is back on track" as professional Jorgene Barton said in an email. The executive course had two holes-in-one in the same group on the same day on Jan. 15: Turner Lanham aced No. 1 with a 9-iron, then Alice Taylor made one on No. 13 with an 8-iron. Lucy Wilson and Jess Taylor witnessed both; and Bud Taber and Norma Merzbacher each made an ace on No. 17 on Jan. 11. They weren't in the same group.

Naples Grande Demo Day: The Naples Grande Golf School will have a free Nike demo day today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, contact Mark Durland at 784-2208 or mark@durlandgolf.com.

Wyndemere Tradition: Wyndemere Country Club's 25th annual charity tournament raised over $85,000 for Youth Haven on Jan. 16. That brings the total since the 1987 inaugural event to $1.1 million. More than 135 participated in the tournament, which also had a clinic by Bonita Bay Club professional E.J. McDonnell.

Naples Amateur Tour: Results, Jan. 16 — Billie Donahue, Duxbury, Mass., 74 net; Walter Headaley, Setauket, N.Y., 76; Win Headley, Naples, 76; Hammock Bay, Jan. 19 — Richard Combra, Martha's Vineyard, Mass., 73; Ben Chelini, Crystal Lake, Ill., 75; Dan Marakovits, Dallas, 75. Jan. 23 — Win Headley, Naples, 72 net; Richard Combra, Martha's Vineyard, Mass., 74; C.J. Fiore, Chicago, 76; Jan. 26 — Ben Chiline, Lake Forest, Ill., 71; Richard Combra, Martha's Vineyard, Mass., 73; Ron Horvath, Columbus, Ohio, 76; Paul Dillon, Washington, D.C., 76; Upcoming events — Thursday, The Rookery; Tuesday, Hammock Bay; Feb. 9, Fiddler's Creek. Players must have a 0-23 handicap. Contact Rob Mucci at 978-328-9145 or robandsig@earthlink.net.

Mediterra clinics: Merrill Lynch is sponsoring a free clinic by Mediterra instructor Adam Bazalgette on Thursday, Feb. 23, and involves the TOMI computer analysis of putting strokes, and fitting a putter. It will be preceded by lunch at 1 p.m.

There will be short presentations on the Arbitrage Fund and the tax-free municipal bond market by local experts from Water Island Capital and Lord Abbett.

Mediterra is having a short-game school and custom putter fitting featuring instructor Todd Sones on Friday, Feb. 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost is $495, with a limit of 10 students.

For more information, contact Bazalgette at adamb@clubmediterra.com or go to www.adambgolf.com.

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PROFESSIONAL EVENTS

ACE Group Classic

Info: Feb. 13-19, at TwinEagles. Ticket discount this week, $5 off each daily ticket purchased. Golf books on sale, $99, includes golf vouchers at 31 courses and weekly ticket. Hospitality access to the Zig Zag Lounge, a skybox with an open bar and lunch buffet on the 18th hole, $100. Weekly tickets, $50; Daily tickets, $25.

Contact: 593-3900, www.theacegroupclassic.com, or go to PGA Tour Superstore

Coors Light Open

Info: 50th annual event, Feb. 25-26, at Fort Myers Country Club. Free spectator parking and admission. Divisions for professionals and amateurs. Entry fee, $200. Qualifying, Tuesday, Feb. 21. Entries close when first 80 entries received. Qualifier entry fee, $75.

Contact: 321-7488, www.cityftmyers.com/countryclub/2012coorslightopen

CHARITY EVENTS

Men of Distinction tournament

Info: Thursday, TwinEagles. Benefits Take Stock in Children through Education Foundation of Collier County. Foursomes, $1,000; Individuals, $200. Lunch, 11:30 a.m., followed by golf, buffet dinner. Sponsorships, $300.

Contact: 643-4755, www.GetOnTheBusCollier.org/Events

Michigan State tournament

Info: Monday, Feb. 13, Grey Oaks. Benefits the Southwest Florida Spartans Endowed Scholarship Fund for Intercollegiate Athletics. Guests include Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio, athletic director Mark Hollis, and school President Lou Anna Simon. Registration, 10:30 a.m.; lunch, 10:45 a.m.; shotgun start, 11:45 a.m. Entry fee, $300 per person. Tickets for dinner/reception only, $85.

Contact: Lisa Wilton, (517) 355-7701, wiltonlk@ath.msu.edu.

Minnesota Twins Celebrity Classic

Info: Thursday, Feb. 23, Fiddlesticks in Fort Myers, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Benefits Lee Memorial Health System's Regional Cancer Center.

Contact: 343-6053, TwinsGolf@LeeMemorial.org

Red Sox Celebrity Classic

Info: Monday, Feb. 27, The Forest in Fort Myers. Benefits Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida. Sunday, Feb. 26, Boston Tee Party, at The Forest, 6 p.m. Tickets for Tee Party, $45, with manager Bobby Valentine attending.

Contact: 343-6950, BostonGolf@LeeMemorial.org

Naples Italian-American Club

Info: Monday, March 5, Quail Creek. Benefits Special Olympics. Registration, 9:30 a.m. Putting contest, 10 to 12:30 p.m. Lunch, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Shotgun start, 12:30 p.m.; Special Olympics putting contest, 2 p.m.; Dinner, awards, 5 p.m. Sponsorships from $100 to $5,000. Entry fee, $250, or $50 for dinner only.

Contact: 597-5210, niac@naplesnet, www.niacfoundation.org

Freedom & Virtue Institute

Info: Thursday, March 15, Old Corkscrew. Shotgun start, 12:30 p.m. Awards ceremony hosted by congressional candidate Trey Radel. Registration, $600 per foursome, $150 for individuals. Benefits FVI's Self Reliance Club that helps students work on entrepreneurial tasks and earn money for school supplies.

Contact: www.FVInstitute.com.

Golf and The Grape

Info; Sunday, March 25, Quail West. Shotgun start, 1 p.m. Dinner, 6:30 p.m. Lunch, golf, cocktails, wine tasting, dinner and wine auction, $300 per person. Everything except lunch and golf, $150. Benefits the Multiple Sclerosis Center of Southwest Florida. Sponsorships, $300 to $10,000.

Contact: 435-1901, email mscenter1@earthlink.net, www.mscenterswfl.org

Mike Ditka/Jim Hart Invitational

Info: April 13-14, Golf Club of the Everglades. Benefits the Foundation for the Immokalee Child Care Center. Entry fee, $550 per amateur, $2,000 per corporate foursome. Includes two pairings party admissions. Pairings party, April 13, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.; Golf tournament, April 14, 8 a.m. registration, 9 a.m. shotgun start.

Contact: Don Vining 262-1450, gatordqv@aol.com

AFCAAM tournament

Info: Friday, April 13, The Forest, Fort Myers. Registration, $600 per foursome, $150 for individuals. Shotgun start, 1 p.m., followed by dinner and awards. Benefits the nonprofit organization in Dunbar that offers afterschool reading and mentoring.

Contact: 461-0234, d.young@afcaam.com

Earl Morrall/NFL Alumni Classic

Info; Monday, April 23, The Quarry. Former Dolphins and Colts quarterback Morrall will welcome former NFL players. Benefits Southwest Florida Children's Charities. Auction, April 22 at Naples Hilton.

Contact: Ryan Richeal, 209-2656, rricheal@playdeepmarketing.com

JUNIORS

First Tee of Naples/Collier

Info: The Winter Life Skills and Golf program is from Feb. 1 to March 19. Elementary school: Mondays at Moorings, 4 to 5:30 p.m., $25 for six weeks; Fridays at Quality Inn Golf Resort, 4 to 5:30 p.m., $25 for six weeks; Middle school: Wednesdays at Quality Inn Golf Resort, 4:30 to 6 p.m., $25 for six weeks; High school: Wednesdays, 3 to 4:30 p.m., $25 for six weeks. Applications are posted on www.thefirstteenaplescollier.org under Programs.

Contact: 825-4851, www.thefirstteenaplescollier.org

Rick Smith Golf Academy

Info: Afterschool programs — Elementary school: Mondays, 4 to 5:30 p.m., $190 for four-week session; Middle school: Wednesdays, 4:30 to 6 p.m., $190 per four-week session; Junior Champions Golf Program: Thursday, 4:30 to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 3 to 6 p.m.; $200 twice a week; $150 once a week per four-week session; Player development class: Tuesdays from 4:30 to 6 p.m., $75, instructor Kathy Padgett

Contact: 593-1111

Rodney Bungartz clinics

Info: At Arrowhead. Afterschool junior clinic — 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, $13 per student per session, ages 6 and up; Middle school junior clinic — 5 to 6 p.m. Mondays, $15 per student per session, ages 12 and up.

Contact: 348-5929

Valencia Afterschool Junior Camp

Info: The club will have its camp from Jan. 17 to March 8 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:15 to 5:30 p.m. for ages 7-15. Cost, $150

Contact: 352-0777

RULES OF GOLF WORKSHOPS

Info: Florida State Golf Association workshops, Feb. 22 at Fiddlesticks, March 9 at Eagle Creek. From 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and include indoor classroom instruction with a video presentation and outdoor hands-on sessions. FSGA committee members are admitted for $10, $30 for others. Golf professionals can earn four continuing education points for attending. Admissions includes a lunch buffet and a 2012 rules book.

Contact: www.fsga.org, 813-632-3742

FREE CLINICS

Lessons for charity

Info: Arrowhead Golf Club and teaching pro Wes Smith are inviting the public to take a lesson from Smith every Saturday, and write a check for a donation directly to a designated charity. There will be a charge of $6 for range balls.

Contact: 289-7994

Mapother clinics

Info: Jim Mapother of RJM Golf is providing free clinics Friday afternoons from 3 to 4:30 p.m., through May at Lely Resort's Flamingo Island and Mustang driving ranges. Short-game work, then full swing. Registration limited to eight.

Contact: 208-755-7644, rjmgolf@comcast.net

AREA ORGANIZATIONS

Executive Women's Golf Association

Contact: Lori Drumm (loridrumm@hotmail.com) 304-0579, www.naplesewga.com

Gulf Coast Gold Senior Tour

Info: For golfers 50 and over. Tee times will begin each week in midmorning. The entry deadline is Mondays at 11 a.m. Entry fee, S20 per event, including the rate for golf at each club. Stableford scoring system.

Contact: tpagolf@msn.com, 458-0754

Southwest Amateur Series

Info: Men's circuit through the Florida State Golf Association features 36-hole individual competitions, with $130 entry fees.

Contact: www.fsga.org

Tournament Players Association

Contact: www.tpagolf.com, tpagolf@msn.com, 458-0754

Valencia Leagues

Info: 18-hole Men's League on Saturdays at 8 a.m.

Contact: 352-0777, www.ValenciaGolfandCountryClub.com

World Golfers Amateur Tour-Southwest Florida

Info: Cost for tour, $189 per year.

Contact: www.wgatusa.com or email Jim Stockman at jim@worldgolfersusa.com

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INSTRUCTION, ETC.

■ APEX Golf — State-of-the-art training studio combining the skills of a golf pro and a physical therapist to improve the body and golf swing. The studio has a high-definition golf simulator, a K-Vest golf swing analyzer, video, and strength and flexibility testing software. APEX offers a free 30-minute analysis of the body and swing. Call 337-2739.

■ Arrowhead Golf Academy — PGA professional Mike Dopslaff, a four-time Southwest Florida PGA Player of the Year, provides instruction. Individual, group lessons. Call 596-1000.

■ Jon Butler Golf at West Bay Beach and Golf Club — Offering 2 and 4 day Golf schools, short game schools, clinics, private lessons and on-course playing lessons. Call 239-821-8447, jonbutlergolf@gmail.com, www.jonbutlergolf.com

■ Mike Calbot International Golf Studio & Triad Golf Schools — At Old Corkscrew Golf Club in Estero. Full and half-day schools are offered. Instructional packages are one, two or three days. All instruction is by appointment only. Private instruction and playing lessons also available. Thirty-five years of instructional experience. Call 482-0900 or visit www.golfdoctorusa.com.

■ John Carroll Lessons — Former Club Pelican Bay professional John Carroll is at Tuscany Reserve Golf Club in North Naples. Carroll was at Pelican Bay for 29 years. He is available for instruction Tuesdays through Saturdays. To make an appointment, call 597-3561 or 860-8470.

■ Concierge Service of Naples — An off-site service free of charge to the customer. The service can make tee times year-round at private country clubs in Southwest Florida up to 60 days in advance. The fee is the normal guest rate, and golfers are not required to play with a member. Call 285-7457.

■ Coral Isle Golf Center — Ladies clinics each Tuesday and Wednesday, men’s clinics each Thursday, a mixed clinic each Wednesday at 2 p.m., and a mixed clinic each Saturday. All clinics are at 10 a.m., other than the Wednesday mixed clinic. Junior clinics also are offered from 3:45 p.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays and 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. on Saturdays. Call 732-6900 for more information.

■ The Golf Institute — Club fitting program includes evaluation based on series of tests, including frequency check and lie and loft angle. Putting evaluations also are available. Call 643-5895.

■ Phil Grear instruction — Forest Glen’s Phil Grear is offering the Get Golf Ready program sponsored by the World Golf Foundation. Sessions Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 to 10:15 a.m. Each weekly program is $99 per person. Call 354-1898 or 595-1120.

■ Kim Hilbert Lessons — Windstar on Naples Bay assistant pro Hilbert earned honorable mention as a U.S. Kids Golf Top Kids Teacher. Hilbert is an LPGA teaching professional, and also teaches at Able’s Golf Facility in Dublin, Ohio. Hilbert offers numerous youth programs, including multi-day schools, camps, clinics, private lessons, tournament coaching, and afterschool golf programs. Her programs can be found at www.teachingu2golf.com.

■ John Jacobs Golf School — at Lely Resort. Staffed by local PGA and LPGA professionals. School offers 5-day week and 2-day weekend sessions, plus corporate days and private instruction. Discounted rates for junior golfers. For more information, call 1-800-472-5007 or visit www.jacobsgolf.com.

■ KISS Golf For Women Golf Schools — At Royal Poinciana Country Club. LPGA teaching professionals Lorie McCabe and her staff offer two- and three-day golf schools for women. Private instruction also is available. Call 1-888-451-KISS or 354-3633. The school’s Web site is www.kissgolfforwomen.com.

■ David Leadbetter Golf Academy — At LaPlaya Beach & Golf Club. Leadbetter is a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher. Academy programs include three-day golf schools and players’ schools, and a one-day mini-school. Private instruction and playing lessons also are available. Call 592-1444.

■ Jim Mapother instruction — Call 431-5315 or e-mail rjmgolf@comcast.net.

■ Dennis Meyer’s Golf School — at Quality Inn Suites & Golf Resort in Golden Gate offers two-, three- , and four-day schools. Playing lessons included in full-day golf schools. Half-day options are available as well. Private lessons available. Call 1-800-445-4554 or 267-4652.

■ Naples Golf Academy — Located at the Hibiscus Golf Club. Lauri Travers leads a team of instructors that offers private lessons, golf schools, clinics and playing lessons. Specialty programs geared toward women and beginner golfers are available year-round. Visit us at LearningGolf.com or call 239-732-9944 for more information.

■ Naples Grande Golf Schools — Call 784-2208 or e-mail mark@durlandgolf.com.

■ Tom Patri Golf School — Tom Patri back at The Quarry from Dec. 1 through April 15. Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher in America. South Florida Teacher of the Year. Met (NY) PGA Teacher of the Year. Available to all skill levels, and juniors. Private instruction by the hour, half and full day sessions also. Short game specialist. Visit www.tompatri.com, email tpatri@mindspring.com, or call 239-404-7790.

■ Bob Prange Lessons — Estero Country Club at The Vines is the winter home of Prange, who is a teaching professional at The Bridgewater Club in Carmel, Ind. Prange previously has been a head instructor, staff member and golf school coordinator for John Jacobs Golf Schools. He has been 2004 Teacher of the Year in the Indiana PGA Section, and a Top PGA Instructor by Golf Digest and Golf Magazine. Call 267-7003 for appointments and schedules.

■ Rick Smith Golf Academy — Offering weekly 90-minute clinics Saturdays at 3 p.m. for $90 per person with a 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio. Clinics alternate between full swing and short game with the first being a full swing clinic. Call 593-1111 for more information.

■ The Rookery at Marco Golf Academy — Includes a 14-acre practice facility. Director of instruction Jan Wivestad. For more information, call 642-2747

To submit an item for the golf column, send an email to ghardwig@naplesnews.com or a fax to 263-4816.