Changing the World Through Golf

South Florida PGA Junior Tour member, Rafe Cochran is doing his best to change the world one person at a time through the game of golf. Cochran, whose story was featured on West Palm Beach CBS 12 News, is only 14 years old but has been helping those in need since he was 9. He was inspired to help when he saw all the great work Food for the Poor was doing, in places like Haiti and Jamaica.

With the inspiration that he got while in Jamacia he decided to do his part to help. He started with asking for pledges during his golf tournaments. These initial pledges lead to $18,000 raised to build three homes in Haiti. Now, 8 years later, he has raised over $200,000 to build homes and schools in Hatti and Jamaica.

This Saturday, April 27th, Banyan Cay Resort will be hosting the 4th annual Rafe Cochran Golf Classic, with proceeds going towards the great work Rafe is doing.

Cochran was the recipient of the 2018 Don Law Service Award. This award was created to recognize junior golfers who demonstrate leadership, character and community service through their involvement with the South Florida PGA Foundation as well as other charitable endeavors.

Rafe continues to live by the moto that he came up with when he was 9 years old: "You are never too young to take action and make a difference"

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September 1, 2025
Palm Beach Gardens, FL - Margilano, Pla, and Bustos win the South Florida PGA Jim McLean Labor Day Classic, the second-to-last SFPGA Junior Major of the Year, played August 30 - September 1st at PGA National Resort - Champion and Fazio Courses. This year's title partner, Jim McLean Golf Schools, is no stranger to the South Florida PGA Junior Tour, bringing with him not only world-class instruction but also a passion for shaping young golfers. Staci Pla of West Palm Beach led the girls division at one-under-par and held a two stroke lead over Palm Beach Gardens native, Olivia Hartman after two rounds. Pla had 12 pars during her final round to successfully defend her 2024 title, going back to back to secure a two-shot victory over Hartman who finished at 5-over total. The boys 13-18 leaderboard was stacked up following the conclusion of round two. Jake Valentine of Palm Beach Gardens held the lead at four-under-par closely followed by 2024 Labor Day Classic Boys Division Champion Matthew Marigliano (Palm Beach Gardens) at three-under-par. Marigilano stayed consistent with three birdies and fifteen pars in his final round to secure the victory. Tristan Rhodenzier of Palm Beach Gardens holed out from the fairway on the 18th hole to take home second place. Joshua Fleming of Deerfield Beach held a strong lead in the boys 11-12 division at three-over-par after two rounds of play. Simon Bustos of Chattanooga, Tennessee sat at eight-over-par heading into the final day of play. Bustos emerged as the champion with a final round of one-over-par, including five birdies and finishing nine-over-par total on the weekend. This year’s Jim McLean Labor Day Classic welcomed 156 boys and girls aged 11-18, competing in three different age divisions. Among the field were 23 players outside of the South Florida territory, including two international players from Puerto Rico and Brazil. The South Florida PGA extends its appreciation to PGA National Resort, Paul Gallo (Director of Tournament Operations), Michael Williams (Tournament Coordinator), and their entire team for their outstanding hospitality and continued support of junior golf in South Florida. The junior major season will wrap up December 6-7 as the Junior Tour heads to The Park for the Tour Championship. Event Leaderboard Event Photos Jim McLean Story
By Chance Bressler August 24, 2025
Palm Beach Gardens & Naples, FL - The South Florida PGA administered two Drive, Chip and Putt sub-regional qualifiers for juniors aged 7-15, with the top-2 finishers from each division advancing to the regional Drive, Chip and Putt qualifier at TPC Sawgrass, September 6th. In total, 32 juniors advanced from the BallenIsles Country Club sub-regional qualifier that took place on August 16 and the sub-regional qualifier at Olde Florida Golf Club, August 23. The sub-regional qualifiers serve as the second stage in a juniors route to the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals that will take place at Augusta National Golf Club, the week prior to the Masters tournament. BallenIsles Sub-Regional Qualifier (119 Participants) The following players advanced to the Regional Qualifier at TPC Sawgrass: Girls 7-9 - Cheetah Baez of Palm City & Gracie Hoffman of Plantation Boys 7-9 - Henry Mallon of West Palm Beach & Austin Iggulden of Palm Beach Gardens Girls 10-11 - Arabell Tellez of Miami & Sylvia Perez of Kissimmee Boys 10-11 - Luciana Puebla of Royal Palm Beach & Silas Kirkbride of Delray Beach Girls 12-13 - Harper Kiss of Lighthouse Point & Alyssa Cleckley of Royal Palm Beach Boys 12-13 - Reed Abdelnour of West Palm Beach & Jake McMillan of Jupiter Girls 14-15 - Nirvika Koduru of Ashburn, VA & Olivia Hartman of Palm Beach Gardens Boys 14-15 - Gordon Nip of Port St. Lucie & Clint Lewis of Jupiter Olde Florida Golf Club Sub-Regional Qualifier (130 Participants) The following players have advanced to the Regional Qualifier at TPC Sawgrass: Girls 7-9 - Alicia Mosquera Rosado of Gurabo, PR & Claire Anderson of Bonita Springs Boys 7-9 - Landon Naya of Davie & Neil Oscar Caceres of Miami Girls 10-11 - Alina Lombeida of Longwood & Joey Wolf of Sarasota Boys 10-11 - Victor Monssoh of Miami & Cameron Middleton of Bonita Springs Girls 12-13 - Victoria Frias of Parkland & Priya Natarajan of Tampa Boys 12-13 - Luke Kummerer of Cape Coral & Luis Roman of Punta Gorda Girls 14-15 - Kinley Mills of Fort Myers & Laura Monsalve of Coral Spring Boys 14-15 - Axel Monssoh of Miami & Braden Chamberlain of Pompano Beach The above qualifiers would not be possible without the support of our host facilities, BallenIsles Country Club and Olde Florida Golf Club and their professional staff. BallenIsles is led by PGA General Manager Ryan Walls, PGA Director of Golf, Jeff Fitzherbert, and PGA Head Professional, Chris Hayes. Olde Florida is led by PGA Director of Golf and SFPGA Foundation President, Tom Wildenhaus, and PGA Head Professional, Andy Chambers. SFPGA Junior Tour / BallenIsles Sub-Regional Results / Olde Florida Club Sub-Regional Results / BallenIsles Photo Album
By Chance Bressler August 14, 2025
West Palm Beach, FL - The South Florida PGA has hosted a premier three-day event on Labor Day weekend since 2020. This year, the tradition takes on new significance as it will be held in partnership with South Florida PGA Professional Jim McLean and his Golf School as we join forces to present the Jim McLean Labor Day Classic, set to take place at PGA National Resort from August 30 – September 1. Few names in the golf instruction carry the weight and legacy of Jim McLean. A 2013 South Florida PGA Hall of Fame Inductee, 1994 PGA of America Teacher of the Year, and 2020 PGA of America PGA Professional Development award recipient, McLean’s career began in 1975 at Westchester Country Club in New York, where he led a junior program with over 1,800 members. Even early in his career, McLean was shaping the future of the game—coaching standout players such as George Zahringer III, who went on to play for the U.S. Walker Cup team in 2003. McLean is no stranger to the South Florida PGA Junior Tour. In its early years, he sponsored six tournaments, helping to grow the Tour into what it is today. “I wanted to give back to junior golf,” McLean said. “All of my boys were in junior golf.” This year marks a new chapter in the partnership between McLean and the South Florida PGA Junior Tour, culminating in the launch of the Jim McLean Labor Day Classic. The 2025 Jim McLean Labor Day Classic is more than just a competitive event—it’s a celebration of mentorship, development, and giving back to the game. As the South Florida PGA Junior Tour continues to create life-changing opportunities for young golfers, the support and vision of leaders like McLean help ensure that the next generation is well-prepared, both on and off the course. Throughout his career, McLean has taught and mentored many notable players including Lexi Thompson, Cristie Kerr, and Erik Compton. Compton, once the top-ranked junior golfer in the United States, overcame extraordinary health challenges—surviving two heart transplants—and reached the PGA Tour against all odds. After retiring from professional play, Compton joined the Jim McLean Golf School as an instructor. “Erik has been a very special person and has done many things in hospitals across the country for transplants,” McLean said. “He is a really unbelievable person.” Stories like Compton’s highlight McLean’s lasting impact—not just on competitive golf, but on the lives of his students. This year’s Jim McLean Labor Day Classic adds an even more meaningful chapter to that story, as Erik’s daughter, Petra, will be among the 168 junior golfers competing. For McLean, seeing the next generation of a former student take part in the event is a true full-circle moment—one that perfectly reflects his lifelong commitment to growing the game. McLean’s commitment to junior golf remains as strong as ever. “Golf teaches kids so many great things in their life,” he said. “I liked teaching the kids and I still do to this day!” His passion lies not just in refining swings, but in using the game to instill discipline, integrity, and perseverance. After nearly two decades as a club professional in New York, McLean moved to Miami in 1991 and opened the Jim McLean Golf School at Doral in 1993. Today, the school has expanded to seven locations worldwide—including Coral Gables, New York, Utah, Mexico, Spain, and South Korea. SFPGA Junior Tour / SFPGA Foundation / Jim McLean Golf School
By Chance Bressler August 9, 2025
Boca Raton, FL -  Abacoa All Stars 17-and-under and Palm Beach All Stars 13-and-under teams advanced to the PGA Jr. League Regional competition after winning their respective divisions during Saturday’s PGA Junior League Section Championship at Osprey Point Golf Course. The 17U Abacoa All Stars, coached by Dave Pesacov, PGA, won the 9-hole, two-person scramble stroke play on Osprey Point’s Falcon Course. TK Ritthisorn and Spencer Clay lead their team scoring at 5-under for the event. Joining the 17u team at will be the Palm Beach All Stars 13U team, also coached by Dave Pesacov, PGA. Liam Abbott and Lucas Mitchell paved the way to victory scoring 4-under. The teams will play in the Regional Qualifier, held next month on September 19-21 at Sunkist Country Club in Biloxi Mississippi. Saturday's Section PGA Jr. League Championship was the first of three phases en route to the national PGA Jr. League Championship stage. The 17u National Championship will be held at Twin Warriors Golf Club in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico, Oct. 23-26, and the 13u National Championship will be held at PGA Frisco’s Fields Ranch West, Nov. 16-20. Leading each team were David Flinn, PGA, David Pesacov, PGA, Zackary Shriver, Christopher Cupp, and Sean Kicker, PGA. Thank you to Osprey Point for holding another incredible Jr. League Section Championship event! Leaderboard
July 30, 2025
Palm Beach Gardens, FL - Carter Brooks and Alayna Friedt won the South Florida PGA Junior Cup, the sixth SFPGA Junior Major of the Year, played July 28-30 at BallenIsles Country Club - North Course.
By Chance Bressler July 17, 2025
ATLANTIS, FL - Yuanzhou Ye and Jayden Loyacona won the Srixon South Florida PGA Junior Medalist Tour event, played July 16-17 at Lost City Golf Club.
By Caitlin White July 12, 2025
The 2025 Brendan Cunningham Junior Open concluded today with standout performances and a heartfelt tribute to a cherished figure in South Florida golf. Held at Hammock Bay Golf & Country Club in Naples, Florida, the event welcomed 71 players. While taking a year off in 2024, the tournament returned this year.
July 3, 2025
Hampton Beebe, a West Palm Beach native and current junior at Score Academy, has quietly become one of the brightest rising stars in junior golf. With a strong résumé that includes a verbal commitment to Auburn University, multiple tournament wins, and national rankings of No. 140 on the Junior Golf Scoreboard and No. 63 by AJGA, Beebe is putting together a career built on consistency, passion, and the unrelenting desire to improve.
By Caitlin White June 25, 2025
Jupiter, FL — The Bear’s Club and Tequesta Country Club hosted the 41st Nicklaus Junior Championship, held Monday and Tuesday, welcoming a field of 160 junior golfers.
June 18, 2025
Boca Raton, FL – June 18th – The South Florida PGA Junior Tour staged its third major of the season, welcoming 80 junior golfers for the Junior PGA Championship, held June 16-17 at Stonebridge Country Club. The major belonged to Gabriel Holtz of Boca Raton and Eva Lye of Naples, who each turned in championship performances to win titles in the Boys' and Girls' 13-18 divisions.