Local golf: Hideout's Harris will carry local torch to Q-School

Harris, who was fifth on the Canadian Tour's Order of Merit this year, tied for 11th at the second stage qualifier in Kingwood, Texas, on Saturday. The top 20 moved on to the Q-School Finals, which are Dec. 3-8 in Winter Garden. The top 30 in the six-round finals earn 2004 tour cards. By making the finals, Harris at least gets status on the Nationwide Tour for next year.

Harris, who turned 26 on Sunday, had scores of 69, 71, 70 and 76 for a 286 total. On the Canadian Tour this year, he had five top-10 finishes and finished second twice.

Part-time Marco Island resident Tee McCabe failed to advance in Kingwood, finishing well back at 296. After two rounds of 71s, McCabe had a 76 in the third round and a final-round 79.

In St. Augustine, former Sanibel Island resident Michael Bradley and Port Charlotte's Doug Dunakey both failed to advance. Bradley tied for 43rd at 286, seven shots from going, while Dunakey carded a final-round 87 and was 74th at 306.

In second stage qualifiers two weeks ago, Fort Myers' George McNeill and Nolan Henke did not advance.

Golf clubs throughout Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties are gearing up to raise money for charity in the 24th Annual PGA Tournament of Charities, one of the area's largest pro-amateur golf tournaments.

Club golf professionals have received materials to start scheduling birdie-a-thons or other activities during the next three months to benefit The Vince Smith Center of Southwest Florida Addiction Services, PGA Art Soderholm Scholarship Fund, Junior Golf and Florida Gulf Coast University PGM Program.

The PGA-supported golf tournament is among the areas most successful. In its 23 year history, $1,164,722 has been raised for charity.

Concluding the fund-raising will be the grand tournament Jan. 26, 2004 at Kingsway Country Club in Port Charlotte, featuring foursomes from more than 30 participating clubs. Last year Bonita Bay led all fund-raisers with donations of $17,068.

The Vince Smith Center, which treats teens in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Glades and Hendry counties with drug and alcohol abuse problems, was named by the Southwest Chapter of the PGA in 1991 to honor the late Vince Smith, former News-Press golf writer and a founding board member of SWFAS.

"We're encouraging everyone to support their golf professional and become involved in the PGA's long tradition of helping those who most need it in our community," said local PGA past president and tournament chairman, Jeff Raimer of The Golf Club at Fiddlers Creek. "Our goal here is to play for as many birdies as possible to raise as much money as we can for The Vince Smith Center, PGA Scholarship Fund, Junior Golf and Florida Gulf Coast University PGM Program."

Club professionals will be encouraging members to participate in club activities to raise funds for the selected charities. Professionals will be conducting tournaments and birdie-a-thons, in which members make pledges of $1 or more for each birdie made by the club's professionals on a given day. For more information or to make a pledge or donation for one or all of the charities, contact your local Golf Professional or Kelly Leonard at 561-9911.

Each amateur member of the first place team will receive a $150 gift certificate to Kingsway Country Club's pro shop and a trophy; second place team members each will receive a $100 gift certificate; and third place team members each will receive a $75 gift certificate.

There will be some extra special interest on the eighth hole. A $5,000 cash prize will be offered to anyone who makes a hole-in-one on that hole. Following play at Kingsway Country Club there will be a dinner and fund-raising results from individual clubs will be announced.

A new "Golf Etiquette FORE Kids" program at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort starts back up on Saturday.

The program introduces children ages 8 through 16 to the game, its fundamental rules and tradition of etiquette. Classes are from 11 a.m. to noon, with future sessions on Dec. 27, Jan. 17, Jan. 24, Feb. 21, Feb. 28, March 13 and March 27.

The cost is $15 per junior participant and includes drinks, snacks, a gift pack and use of junior clubs during the clinic. Parents are welcome. To sign up, call the Ritz Kids department at 593-2000, ext. 43346.

David Leadbetter Golf Academies, with one located at LaPlaya Golf Club, is offering gift certificates for video monitoring and other instructional programs for men, women and young adults at "The Ultimate Gift Show" Saturday and Sunday at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples.

The show is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. General admission is $15.

Twenty percent of the proceeds benefiting the Cancer Alliance of Naples, Inc., an independent charitable organization devoted to improving the quality of life of families affected by cancer. A fund-raiser preview party will be held on Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $75 for the party and reservations are required.

The show also features paintings, sculptures, rare orchids, and a variety of jewelry, plus other gift ideas. For more information, call the Cancer Alliance at 436-4673.

The 11th Boston Red Sox-Children's Hospital Classic is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 27 at The Forest Country Club in south Fort Myers.

Proceeds will benefit Southwest Florida's Children's Hospital's Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. The field of 288 golfers routinely includes current and former Red Sox players.

During the past decade, the fund-raiser has raised $2.3 million for specialized healthcare and upgraded medical facilities at Children's Hospital. Last year's event raised $471,000.

The entry fee is $250 and includes food, refreshments, contests, team prizes and other activities. Sponsorship opportunities also are available. For more information, call Jill Smith at 437-1749.

The 2003 Dodge Celebrity Invitational will air locally on WFTX Fox 4 on Sunday, Nov. 30 at 3 p.m.. The event was held at Miromar Lakes Beach and Golf Club in April.

Former NFL All-Pro and Atlanta Falcons QB Steve Bartkowski narrowly beat former MLB pitcher and local resident Mike Trombley and current Falcons punter Chris Mohr. They join players such as Martin Gramatica, Sam Madison, Geoff Bodine, Carlton Fisk, Phil Esposito, Jim McMahon and Olindo Mare, as well as many others.

The Dodge Celebrity Invitational is scheduled for April 14-17, 2004 at the West Bay Club in Estero.

The Blue Monster has sharpened its teeth. The fabled course at Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami is near completion of a renovation that will lengthen the course by 166 yards. Five holes are affected on the course, which hosts the PGA Tour's Ford Championship in March.

Currently, the Blue Monster's length is 7,125 yards from the tournament tees. Renovations are scheduled to be completed sometime next month.

Other upcoming golf events follow:

-- Fantasy Golfers Association/Zee's Proline Golf Tour -- Cash paid to winners, utilizes handicap system. Call Jim Stockman 435-9424. 2004 membership information: $175 annual, $150 for AAGT, $250 for AAGT and FGA, $15 per round pay as you play.

-- Tournament Players Association -- Upcoming events: at Gateway, Fort Myers, Dec. 6-7; at Mirror Lakes CC, Lehigh Acres, Jan. 6-7. Entry fee, $50. Call 458-0754 or go online to www.tpagolf.com.

-- GulfCoast Gold Pro Series -- Upcoming event: Jan. 6-7, Mirror Lakes GC, Lehigh Acres; $10,000 guaranteed purse, $2,500 first place. Entry fee, $375. Call 458-0754.

-- West Coast Junior Tour -- Age groups are 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16 and 17-18. Upcoming schedule: Dec. 6-7, Miromar Lakes, Estero. The tour's membership fee is $100. The tournament deadline is five days prior to the event. Call Kathy Padgett or Tal Buchanan at 597-1761 or visit www.kathypadgettgolf.com.

-- Michelob Light Tour -- Upcoming schedule: Dec. 6, Raymond James Open, Raptor Bay; Dec. 13-14, LocalTel Open, Solana. Call 229-5667.

-- 2003 Collier County Junior Baseball Association golf tournament -- Tuesday, Dec. 9 at Lely Resort's Flamingo Island golf course. Former Naples High standout Jeff Smith, a minor-league catcher with the Texas Rangers, is the honorary host. Last year, a handful of current and former Minnesota Twins players were among those who played. The entry fee is $400 per threesome with hole sponsorship, or $300 per threesome otherwise. Hole sponsorships are $100. Registration is at noon with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. The entry deadline is Dec. 5. Contact Roger Shoemaker at 455-3446.

-- Florida Gulf Coast University hockey club golf tournament -- Friday, Dec. 12 at Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club. The tournament format is a two best balls of four shamble and begins at 1 p.m. Foursomes will play the best drive off the tee and then play their own ball from there. Golfers use half of their handicap.

A reception and auction will be held on-site following the tournament. The entry fee is $100 per player or $115 if a player wants to get into a cash pool. Hole sponsorships are available for $100. For more information, call Bob Brinkworth at 495-3198.

-- Inaugural Miss Naples USA Festival Golf Tournament -- Tuesday, Dec. 30 at The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club. Shotgun start, 1 p.m. Field limited to 112 players. Entry fee, $240 per player. Dinner and awards reception afterward. Miss Naples USA Festival contestants will appear during the tournament. Entry deadline is Nov. 1. Call the festival headquarters at 1-800-230-3321 or visit www.naplesfestival.com.

-- Naples Recreational Golf -- Singles 45-65 on Sunday mornings. Call 594-0661.

-- Southwest Florida Singles Golf Group -- Sundays, ages 50-and-over. Call 597-7349.

-- Greater Naples Golf Association -- Senior division, ages 50-and-over, Wednesdays. Call 598-1261.

-- Southwest Florida Seniors Golf Group -- Call Bill Dey at 936-2018 or Kathy O'Hern-Smith at 275-9749.

-- Arrowhead Golf Club -- Weekly scramble, Wednesdays. Shotgun start, 5:30 p.m. Call 596-1000 at least two days in advance to sign up.

-- Collier County Women's Golf Association -- All Collier County golfers with a handicap of 35 or less are eligible to join. Call Doris Roberts at 793-0644 or Sharon Nelson at 594-2269.

-- Southwest Chapter PGA -- For more information, go online to www.sflorida.pga.com and click on "Chapters."

-- Body Balance For Performance of Naples -- Mike Willett and Mike Via are being featured in top instructor Rick Smith's Golf Channel Academy shows. Willett and Via are part of three different episodes, all shot at Smith's academy at Tiburn Golf Club.

-- Executive Women's Golf Association -- The local EWGA chapter's host course is The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club. The Beach Club offers sessions of instruction and hosts the chapter championship. For membership details and additional information, call 513-GOLF or visit www.ewga.com.

-- Kids' Golf Academies -- A "Growth of the Game" initiative to develop new golfers. Offered by Ty Andersen former director of golf of Little Thunder Kids Golf Course in Ohio. Andersen, a PGA professional, specializes in teaching kids ages 6-12 and their families. Individual lessons and clinics are available. Ideal for youth groups, school systems, special events. Andersen will teach at homes, schools, etc. Call 272-7086 or e-mail TyPGAPro@aol.com.

-- Cypress Woods Practice Facility -- Open to the public with a natural grass range, pitching and chipping area and large practice green. Adult and junior individual lessons and camps by perennial PGA award winner Tal Buchanan. After school junior group lessons starting now. Call 592-7860 or e-mail tal4golf@earthlink.net.

-- 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.

-- KISS Golf For Women Golf Schools -- At Lely Resort Golf & 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.

-- Naples Golf Academy -- Professionals Lauri Travers and Phil Grear lead a team of PGA and LPGA instructors. The academy offers scheduled beginners, intermediate, and women golf schools. Saturday clinics, junior programs and private instruction are also available. Call 732-9944 or visit www.learninggolf.com.

-- Tom Patri Golf School -- At Naples Grande. Patri is a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher, and his staff works with all golfers of all ages and abilities. TPGS offers half-day golf schools, with and without nine holes of golf. The school without golf starts as low as $187.50 per person for up to four people. The school with golf starts as low as $300 for up to three people. Both schools offer four hours of instruction and a take-home video analysis. Private lesson packages available from as low as $75 per hour. Junior lesson packages available from as low as $45 per hour. Other specials available. Call Kathy Hanna at 455-9179 or visit www.tompatri.com.

-- Tom Patri Golf Schools After-School Clinic -- Boys and girls ages 6-12 and 13-18. Clinics for boys and girls 13-18 will be on Wednesdays from 4 to 5:30 p.m., with clinics for boys and girls 6-12 on Thursdays, also from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Cost for entire month, $135. Call 455-9179.

-- Rick Smith Golf Academy -- At Tiburn Golf Club. Smith, a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher and rated the No. 5 teacher by Golf Digest, has a staff of PGA instructors at Tiburn Golf Club. Programs include Rick Smith Premier Sessions, conducted by Smith himself and two additional staff members. Along with private instruction, the academy also offers schools ranging from 1/2-days to a three full-day comprehensive school including on-course instruction. Ninety-minute golf clinics are being offered for $75, featuring full swing or short game instruction. Call 593-1111 or visit www.wcigolf.com/ricksmithacademy.

-- Rick Smith Golf Academy SuperStar Saturdays -- Clinics for ages 7-17 on Saturdays from 3 to 4:30 p.m. The cost is $35 per clinic, with a limit of 20 junior per session with a minimum of six. Putting and chipping: Nov. 29, Dec. 13, Dec. 27, Jan. 10, Jan. 24, Feb. 7, Feb. 21, March 6, March 20, April 3, April 17, May 1, May 15. Pitching and full swing: Dec. 6, Dec. 20, Jan. 3, Jan. 17, Jan. 31, Feb. 14, Feb. 28, March 13, March 27, April 10, April 24, May 8, May 22.

-- Rick Smith Golf Academy After-School Program -- Elementary students, Mondays and Wednesdays. Middle-school students, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Times, 4 to 5:30 p.m. Cost, $150 per month, one day a week; $285 per month, two days per week. Call 593-1111.

-- Dr. Jim Suttie Golf Academy -- at The Club at TwinEagles. 2000 PGA of America Teacher of the Year. Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher. Rated No. 11 by Golf Digest. Instructional programs include 2- and 3-day schools as well as private lessons. Call 866-817-7729 or visit www.jimsuttie.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.

-- Mike Calbot International Golf Studio & Triad Golf Schools -- At Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club. 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.webgolfdoctor.com.

-- The Nick Faldo Golf Institute -- At Marriott's Marco Island Resort. Instruction programs are based on the teaching philosophy and techniques developed by Faldo. A three-day improvement school ($1,175-$1,295 per person), two-day weekend/short game school ($675 to $895), and a two-day selection session package ($500-$595 per person) are among the packages. Call 1-888-GO-FALDO for prices and information.

-- The Golf Learning Center at Quail Creek Country Club -- Tom Stickney is director of instruction. Programs are open to the public and include individual lessons and group school for players of all levels and ages. Stickney was voted by Golf Magazine as one of the top teachers in the state and the Southeast in 2003. Call 597-2900.

-- 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.

-- Tom Manziano Golf Academy -- At Pelican's Nest Golf Club in Bonita Springs. The academy features a staff of PGA professionals. Call 947-4600, ext. 224 or visit www.tomgolf.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.

-- Wayne Dahlstrom Lessons -- PGA & USGTF member providing individual lessons for golfers of all levels, including playing lessons, custom club-fitting and club repairs at Ironwood Golf Club. Group clinics also are available from 9 to 10 a.m. every Friday, by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call 213-0930 or 370-1047.

-- Beach Club Golf School -- Under the direction of Larry Gantzer, head professional, Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club. Private short game instructional area, video taping, playing lessons available. Call 435-2475.

-- Briarwood Driving Range -- On Radio Road. Clinics Mondays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. Golf professionals Chip Curcio and Barney Draper are available for private and playing lessons. Call 262-4955 or 850-3939.

-- Estero Driving Range -- On Williams Road next to Estero High School. Clinics are conducted by golf professional Barney Draper. Jane Huling, a PGA and LPGA Class A member, is on the staff. Clinics Mondays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. Call 498-3900 or 850-3939.

-- Dee Laughlin Teaching Program -- At Bonita Fairways. LPGA teaching professional. Laughlin also conducts monthly tournament for Southwest Florida Women's Golf Association. Rates, more information, call 498-9486.

-- Coral Isle Golf Center -- Located 5 miles north of Marco Island. Offering 1/2-hour and 1-hour private lessons, men's and ladies clinics, golf school. Lights have been added extending hours until 10 p.m. every day except Sunday, when it's open until 9 p.m. Demos also available. Scott Moser has joined as a new teaching professional. Call 732-6900.

-- Ferguson Golf Center -- Class A PGA member Tom Ferguson is offering private and group instruction for all skill levels, plus beginner and junior clinics at the center on Immokalee Road. Call 352-4996.

-- Kimberly Thompson Lessons -- At the Quality Inn & Suites Golf Resort. Beginners golf clinic for women Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings. Clinics are designed for beginner and intermediate levels. Cost, $40. Thompson also has a golf school. Call 455-9498.

-- Dennis Clark Lessons --A Golf Digest senior instructor and has an Advanced Specialty Certification in Golf Instruction. Call 250-6424.

-- Steve Anderson Lessons -- Director of instruction at Mirror Lakes Golf Club in Lehigh Acres. 2000 Teacher of the Year by the Southwest Chapter. Awarded Advanced Specialty Certification in Instruction by PGA. Call 369-1997.