Off the Green With Orla: How Golf Shapes Character and Resilience
For Zoe Shamy, golf has been more than just a sport—it’s been a transformative journey, shaping both her character and her approach to life. She has come a long way since starting her golfing career at age 8 during a First Tee summer camp, where she discovered her passion for the game. From feeling uncertain in her early days to now committing to the University of Tulsa, her story is a testament to resilience, growth and passion.
"Golf has taught me that I cannot always control my circumstances," Zoe shares. "Even the best golf shots can be rewarded with bad bounces. But it works both ways. Bad shots are just as often given good breaks. In both golf and life, I cannot completely control what is going on, but I can control how I react."
This mentality has served her well, both on and off the course. Zoe began her journey on the South Florida PGA Junior Tour with the Toptracer Prep Tour at age 11, where she developed her skills and earned the Prep Tour Player of the Year award in 2020. As she progressed to the more advanced Callaway Medalist Tour, she continued to demonstrate her growth by winning the Player of the Year award again in 2021. Through these experiences, Zoe learned the value of perseverance.
Though she admits she did not start taking golf seriously until she was 13, her steady improvement has led to an impressive list of achievements, including a scoring average of 73.9 over her last 18 rounds and consistently finishing in the top five of almost 70% of tournaments this year.
The road to success was not always smooth. Reflecting on her early challenges, Zoe admits; "When I first went to the Prep Tour, I struggled not having a partner to lean on. I was stuck between continuing to try or stopping altogether."
During this time, Zoe began playing in U.S. Kids events where her dad was able to be by her side as a caddie, giving her the self confidence she needed too push forward.
"I didn’t feel so alone on the course. I got better and better, and eventually, I didn’t need my dad’s advice anymore. So, I went back to the Prep Tour and continued improving from there."
Zoe’s father remains a crucial figure in her life and golf journey. "My dad has always been my biggest supporter," she says. "He has invested a lot of time, money, and effort into improving my golf game, and I am forever grateful."
Zoe’s passion for the game is evident in how she maintains her drive and discipline.
"I’ve always been very intrinsically motivated," explains Zoe, who spends her free time in the winter caddying at Seminole Golf Club. "Even on busy school days or when I’m not feeling great, I make sure to do something to stay productive. I’m not someone who can sit around all day and do nothing."
Beyond her own game, Zoe’s love for golf extends to helping others, specifically the First Tee Florida Gold Coast, where she now volunteers with the younger kids at the organization.
"The First Tee gave me my start in golf. They instilled hard work, respect, and perseverance in me," she says. "I love seeing kids when they figure out how to hit the ball right and break milestones."
The lessons learned from her time at the First Tee allowed her to compete in two First Tee National Championships, where she placed 12th at Stanford in 2023 and 4th at Clemson in 2024.
Volunteering has not only allowed her to give back but also shaped her perspective on the game.
"It gives me patience," she reflects. "Even shots I may not love are still okay shots. I can work with them and still play great golf."
When Zoe is not on the course, she enjoys baking—specifically chocolate cake with vanilla frosting—and draws parallels between her passion for baking and her approach to life. "I actually wrote my college essay about baking," she shares. "The right balance of ingredients is comparable to how I balance golf, school, the gym, and friends. There’s no recipe for life, so I’m making mine as I go."
Zoe’s commitment to the University of Tulsa marks the next exciting chapter in her journey.
"As a junior golfer, it was my dream to play Division I golf, and I’m so proud to have accomplished that goal," she says. "I know that Tulsa has the right combination of athletics and academics to give me the best opportunities post-graduate. I’m excited to meet the team and continue growing as both a golfer and a student."
Looking to the future, Zoe remains open to where her journey will take her. "After four years of college, I want to give myself the opportunity to play professional golf. If not, I’ll pursue a professional career, most likely in medicine."
Zoe Shamy’s story is one of dedication, resilience and passion. Whether on the golf course or in the classroom, she continues to strive for excellence, embracing both the highs and the challenges that come her way. With her sights set on the University of Tulsa and beyond, there’s no doubt she will continue to make her mark on and off the green.
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Vero Beach, FL - Reed Abdelnour, Matthew Marigliano, and Mila Zalsman won their respective age divisions during the South Florida PGA Medalist event, February 1-2 at Sandridge Golf Club - Dunes Course. Abdelnour, a 2031 graduate and West Palm Beach resident, fired a tournament-low 6-under 66 in the final round, managing a clean scorecard en route to winning the boys 11-12 division by 12 shots. Abdelnour wrapped the 36-hole-event at 5-under 73-66–139, only one of two players in the entire field to finish under-par. Simon Bustos of Chattanooga, Tennessee, finished in second at 7-over, while Palmer Buchanan of Port St. Lucie finished in third at 8-over. Marigliano, the reigning SFPGA Medalist Tour Player of the Year, captured a come-from-behind victory in the boys 13-18 division after an opening round of 3-over 75. The 2029 graduate entered the final round four shots behind Hogan Blais of Ottawa, Ontario. Marigliano bounced back with a bogey-free, 4-under 68 to claim the title by four over Blais and Martin Bustos of Chattanooga, Tennessee, who finished in a tie for second at 3-over. Bustos ultimately earned second-place honors, beating out Blais in a scorecard playoff. Zalsman of Saint Petersburg narrowly captured the girls 13-18 division by one shot after a close battle with Nicole Wu of Davie. After an opening round of 1-over 73, Zalsman held a four-shot lead over Wu heading into the final 18 holes. Wu managed an even-par 72, the tournament low round in the girls division, but a 3-over 75 by Zalsman was just enough to claim the wire-to-wire victory at 4-over, 73-75–148. The South Florida PGA Medalist Tour welcomed 62 boys and 25 girls, competing over three age divisions at Sandridge Golf Club’s Dunes Course. The SFPGA Medalist Tour is the premier membership-based junior golf program of the South Florida PGA Section. The Medalist Tour season will continue February 15-16 at The Links at Boynton Beach. Leaderboard
Boynton Beach, FL - The South Florida PGA Junior Tour opened its 2025 season with the SFPGA Winter Kickoff, a 54-hole Major, played January 18-20 at Indian Spring Country Club. After rounds of 72-71, Ryan Nana Tanke of Palm Beach Gardens entered the final round three shots behind Trevor Tingle of Coral Gables. Nana Tanke, a 2028 graduate, managed to match the tournament low round of 4-under 68, bringing his three-day total to 5-under, winning the title by two shots over Tingle. This victory marked his second South Florida PGA Junior Tour Major win, his first being the inaugural “Jr Cup” at Old Palm Golf Club in August of 2023. Throughout his final round battling wind, rain and cold conditions, Nana Tanke pulled through with a bogey-free, clean scorecard. Nana Tanke and Tingle were the only two players in the event to finish under-par. Following 54-holes in the girls 13-18 division, Sophia Christy of Singer Island and Nicole Wu of Davie were tied at 7-over, taking them back to the first tee for a sudden-death playoff. The two battled for the next six holes until darkness forced play to conclude, resulting in the two being crowned co-champions. The SFPGA Winter Kickoff is the first of eight invitation-only junior Majors to be played throughout the 2025 Junior Tour season featuring 90 junior golfers. Champions in both the boys and girls division received four AJGA starts. The next Junior Major will be played May 24-25 with the Patty Berg Junior Championship at Cypress Lake golf Club. Leaderboard
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Gabriel Holtz and Catherine Andino emerged as champions at the 2024 South Florida PGA Junior Tour Championship, presented by Callaway and Toptracer, after two rounds at The Park West Palm on Saturday, December 7, and Sunday, December 8. The SFPGA Tour Championship, the eighth and final major of the season, brought together 90 of south Florida’s top junior golfers, each earning their spot through a season-long qualifying process based on Player of the Year Points. The number of qualifiers in each age division was determined by the percentage of total Junior Tour members in that category, making this event a showcase of the region’s finest young talent. Gabriel Holtz of Boca Raton led the Boys 13-18 Division after round one, finishing at three-under-par. Holtz’s impressive round featured seven birdies and a spectacular hole-in-one on the par-3 5th hole, where he used a 6-iron from 195 yards. Reflecting on the moment, Holtz said, “I watched the ball hop once, and it was in.” The shot ignited his momentum for the rest of the day. “I wasn’t playing great before the hole-in-one, but after I made it, things started to come together. I began making more putts and hitting the ball better, which gave me a lot of confidence moving forward,” he added. Close behind after round one was Jeremy Castellanos of Windermere, who finished the day at one-over-par. Castellanos’s consistent play, including three birdies, kept him firmly in contention for the title. During round two, Castellanos delivered a standout performance, matching the tournament low round of four-under-par with two eagles and six birdies to secure the runner-up position at three-under-par (72-67—139). In the final round, Holtz overcame a tough start, making three early bogeys before turning things around with four consecutive birdies. He maintained his composure and focus to finish at six-under-par (68-68—136), securing the championship by three strokes. “Everything felt good. I had a tough start, just like yesterday, making three bogeys early on. But then things turned around when I made four birdies in a row, and I just kept building on that momentum,” Holtz said. Reflecting on how he managed to stay focused, he added, “I just stayed patient and took it one shot at a time. After those four birdies, I told myself it was time to keep the pedal down and keep fighting until the very end.” In the Girls 13-18 Division, Catherine Andino of Boca Raton delivered a stellar performance, finishing round one with the only under-par score in the division at four-under-par 67. She carried that momentum into round two, facing a tight battle with Ashley Balcom of Lighthouse Point. Andino stayed calm under pressure and sunk a crucial birdie putt on the final hole to regain the lead and clinch the championship by one stroke. “I was confident in my ability and tried to stay focused on each shot and not think about the results,” Andino said. “I knew I needed to make that last birdie to win, and I was confident I would make it. Ashley played great today, and it was a fun way to end the day.” Andino finished the tournament at even-par (67-75—142), while Balcom closed at one-over-par (72-71—143), securing second place. Congratulations to all of our players for a wonderful season! Special thanks to Brian Conley, PGA, Clay Myers, PGA, Cody Sinkler, PGA, and the entire staff at The Park West Palm for hosting the event. The SFPGA Junior Tour’s Callaway Medalist Tour, presented by Toptracer, is the elite level of competition under the umbrella of the South Florida PGA Foundation’s Junior Tour. With over 100 tournaments held annually, the SFPGA Junior Tour offers first-class, low-cost, competitive events at some of South Florida’s most prestigious courses for juniors aged 6-18. Registration for the 2025 season opens on Thursday, December 12, at 10 a.m. Leaderboard | Photo Album
The South Florida PGA Junior Tour wrapped up the Links Tour season on Saturday, November 16, at The Links at Boynton Beach. A total of 43 junior golfers participated in this one-day, 9-hole tournament across several divisions. In the Boys 15-18 Division, Brylle Andrei Viado of Lake Worth finished 9-over 39 to claim first place, while Evan Elder of Lake Worth secured second place with a 15-over 45. Ezequiel Zamora of Doral took the top spot in the Boys 12-14 Division with a 3-over 33, finishing one stroke ahead of Craig Sargen of Palm Beach Gardens, who posted a 4-over 34 to take second place. The Boys 9-11 Division saw Charlie Reich of Boca Raton take first place with a 1-under 29, which included two birdies which made him the only player to shoot under par in the tournament. Securing the second-place title was Leyton Procacci of Fort Lauderdale. Procacci made one birdie while shooting a 3-over 33. In the Boys 6-8 Division, Skyler Furman of North Miami opened up his round with a birdie on the first hole and then again on the ninth to finish out the day. Furman shot even-par to take home first place. Noah Rizzolo Auriemo of Boca Raton and Samuel Dolderer of Palm Beach Gardens tied for second place, both shooting 5-over 35. Auriemo also recorded a birdie on the fifth hole. On the girls’ side, Kennedy Cruz of Boca Raton won the Girls 12-14 Division with a 12-over 42, making a comeback from last month’s Links Tour event, where she received the runner-up title. Reese Nebbeling of Stuart placed second with a total score of 19-over 49. In the Girls 9-11 Division, Chloe Klein of Boca Raton secured first place with a 4-over 34, while Millie Gonzalgo from Plantation finished second, shooting a 6-over 36. The Miller sisters of Jupiter made their mark in the Girls 6-8 Division, with Morgan securing the top spot after shooting a 6-over 36. Mackenzie, her younger sister, finished second with an 11-over 41. The South Florida PGA Junior Tour extends its gratitude to the staff at The Links at Boynton Beach for hosting this event and congratulates all players on their efforts. Registration for the 2025 season opens on Thursday, December 12, at 10 a.m. Visit the “ Become A Member ” section on our website to learn more about registration and the different tournament competition levels on the South Florida PGA Junior Tour! Leaderboard
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. - Oscar Crowe and Mila Zalsman secured first-place finishes at the South Florida PGA Callaway Medalist Tour event held at Eagle Trace Golf Club, November 9-10. With the season finale approaching at the SFPGA Junior Tour Championship in December, players competed for critical player of the year points. In the Girls 13-18 Division, Mila Zalsman of Saint Petersburg won the first-place title in her first tournament of the season. Zalsman made two birdies and posted scores of 77-76, finishing at 9-over 153. Fernanda Carrion of Coral Gables placed second, making it her fifth top-5 finish of the 2024 season. Carrion recorded two birdies and completed the event with scores of 80-74, totaling 154. In the Boys 13-18 Division, Crowe of Boca Raton earned his third victory of the season. Crowe, a high school senior, added this win to his previous victories at a Medalist Tour event in July and the SFPGA Patty Berg Junior Championship. He made four birdies in round one, finishing 3-under par with a 69, and held his lead in round two with three more birdies, posting a final score of 2-under 142. Crowe was the only player in the tournament to shoot under par. The competition for second place was close, with Cooper Foegen from Hobe Sound finishing one shot ahead of Gavin Duffy from Fort Lauderdale. Foegen recorded six birdies and finished with a score of 148, marking his second consecutive runner-up finish in recent weeks. Thank you to Eagle Trace Golf Club for hosting the event. Follow us on social media for additional tournament highlights and photos. Leaderboard
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – After 35 Toptracer Prep Tour events, the top 78 players from the season-long points list competed in the South Florida PGA Prep Tour Championship on Sunday, November 10, at The Park West Palm. In the Boys 13-18 Division, a three-way tie resulted in a scorecard playoff to determine the champion. Jordan Pickens of Estero emerged victorious, securing the win due to his back-nine score. Pickens shot an even-par 71 with four birdies. Cody Rausch of Hobe Sound took second place with a 71 as well, carding three birdies. Rausch was honored with the 2024 Player of the Year award in the Boys 13-18 Division, having finished in the top-3 in five of the 16 events he competed in, earning a total of 2,289.56 points this season. In the Boys 11-12 Division, Mateo Muniz of Wellington and Atlas Andrews of West Palm Beach both shot 2-over 73, each recording three birdies. Muniz ultimately claimed the title due to his even-par back-nine score. Andrews earned the Player of the Year trophy for the second consecutive year, having placed in the top-3 in 11 of 26 events, earning 3,062.50 points in one season. In the Boys 9-10 Division, Alfred Carmenate of Miami won with a three-shot lead, posting a 2-over 73 with three birdies. Brian Kelley of Port St. Lucie secured second place with a 5-over 76, making one birdie. Aiden Jim of Parkland, who tied for fourth place, was named Player of the Year in the Boys 9-10 Division, after finishing in the top-3 in 16 of 25 events this season. In the Girls 13-18 Division, another three-way tie led to a scorecard playoff. Stella Ronja Lind of Doral clinched the title, shooting 4-over 75 with two birdies, her one-under back nine sealed the victory. Sutton Oosterhuis of Parkland took second place, also finishing with a 75 and one birdie. Lind capped off her season by receiving the 2024 Player of the Year award for the Girls 13-18 Division, accumulating 3,569.50 points. In the Girls 11-12 Division, Mia Heuberger of Palm Beach Gardens repeated as champion, shooting 2-over 73 with two birdies. Alyna Yensabai of Lake Worth finished just one stroke behind at 3-over 74 with three birdies, securing second place. Yensabai was named Player of the Year in the Girls 11-12 Division, tallying 4,087.50 points—the most in any Prep Tour age division. In the Girls 9-10 Division, Anastasia Todoric of Pembroke Pines took first place with an eight-shot lead, carding two birdies to finish 5-over 76. Jenna Elharti of Melbourne finished second with a score of 13-over 84 and one birdie. Elharti was awarded Player of the Year for this division after finishing in the top-3 in all 12 events she played this season. Congratulations to our 2024 Toptracer Prep Tour Champions and Players of the Year! Special thanks to Clay Myers, PGA, Cody Sinkler, PGA, and the entire staff at The Park West Palm for hosting the event. Registration for the 2025 season opens on Thursday, December 12, at 10 a.m. Visit our website to learn more about becoming a member of the South Florida PGA Junior Tour! Leaderboard | Photo Album | Become A Member
Matthew Marigliano and Abigail Smith secured first-place victories at Mariner Sands Country Club during the South Florida PGA Callaway Medalist Tour event, played November 2-3. This was the second-to-last regular season event before the SFPGA Junior Tour Championship in December. In the Boys 13-18 Division, Marigliano of Palm Beach Gardens claimed his third victory of the season, adding to his wins at a Medalist Tour event in March and the SFPGA Labor Day Classic, one of eight junior major tournaments this season. Marigliano, a 2029 graduate and one of the youngest players in the field, made five birdies in round one, finishing two-under and heading into round two in third place. He followed up with four more birdies in round two, shooting a 3-under 69 and securing the first-place title with a total score of 139. The race for second place came down to a one-shot difference between Cooper Foegen of Hobe Sound and Gabriel Holtz of Boca Raton. Foegen’s first-round score of 67 set the pace for the tournament, and despite shooting 74 in round two, his eight birdies over the weekend earned him the second-place finish with a final score of 141. In the Girls 13-18 Division, Smith of Port Saint Lucie took the lead in round one with a 1-under 71 performance, making four birdies. Smith followed up with a round of 76 on day two, completing the tournament at three-over-par with a total score of 147 to claim the first-place title. Heading into round two, Yool Her of Pembroke Pines and Nirvika Koduru of Boca Raton were tied for second place after both shot 76 in round one, each carding one birdie. However, Jayden Loyacona of Boca Raton made a 10-position comeback, improving from her 12th-place standing after round one. She shot a 73 on day two, with four birdies, to secure the second-place title. Congratulations to all of our winners for their outstanding performances this weekend! A special thank you to the Mariner Sands Country Club staff for hosting a great event. The final Medalist Tour event of the season before the SFPGA Junior Tour Championship will take place this weekend, Saturday, November 9, and Sunday, November 10, at Eagle Trace Golf Club. Follow us on social media for more tournament highlights and photos. Leaderboard
The South Florida PGA Junior Tour hosted a Links Tour event on Sunday, October 27, at The Links at Boynton Beach. A total of 43 junior golfers participated in this one-day, 9-hole tournament across several divisions. In the spirit of Halloween, players had the option to dress up in costumes, adding a playful twist to the competition. In the Boys 15-18 Division, Vincent Rubio from Miami finished 5-over 35 to claim first place, while Evan Elder of Lake Worth secured second place with an 8-over 38. William Lazarchick of Tequesta took the top spot in the Boys 12-14 Division with a 2-over 32, finishing five strokes ahead of Craig Sargen from Palm Beach Gardens, who posted a 7-over 37 to take second. The Boys 9-11 Division saw Finn Dritenbas of Tequesta take first-place with a 1-over 31, which included three birdies. Evan Politziner of Palm Beach Gardens followed closely, shooting 2-over 32 with two birdies. In the Boys 6-8 Division, Skyler Furman of North Miami shot even-par, highlighted by birdies on the 4th and 5th holes, to finish first. Noah Rizzolo Auriemo of Boca Raton and Samuel Dolderer of Palm Beach Gardens tied for second place, both shooting 3-over 33. Dolderer also recorded a birdie on the 6th hole. On the girls’ side, Sydney Beach of North Palm Beach won the Girls 12-14 Division with a 10-over 40, and Boca Raton’s Kennedy Cruz placed second with a 14-over 44. In the Girls 9-11 Division, Millie Gonzalgo from Plantation secured first place with a 4-over 34, while Abriella Morrison of Wellington finished second, shooting 12-over 42. The South Florida PGA Junior Tour extends its gratitude to the staff at The Links at Boynton Beach for hosting this event and congratulates all players on their efforts. The final Links Tour event of the season will be held on Saturday, November 16, also at The Links at Boynton Beach. Stay updated by following us on social media for more tournament highlights and photos. Leaderboard | Event Photos
The South Florida PGA Toptracer Prep Tour, presented by Callaway wrapped up its regular season on Saturday at PGA National’s Match Course. Competing in a one-day, 18-hole event, 66 junior golfers sought after valuable player of the year points to aid them in qualifying for the Prep Tour Championship on November 10 at The Park. In the Girls 11-12 division, Mia Heuberger of Palm Beach Gardens stood out as the only player in the entire field to finish under par. Heuberger carded seven birdies on her way to a 2-under 64 to claim first-place honors. Harper Kiss of Lighthouse Point took second place with a 4-over 70, including two birdies. A highlight from this division was Larissa Wheelless of Miami, who made a hole-in-one on the par-3 sixth hole. In the Girls 13-18 Division, Emily Kaulen of Port Saint Lucie claimed first place with a 6-over 72, making four birdies along the way. Close behind, Stella Ronja Lind of Doral shot a 7-over 73 to finish in second place. The Elharti sisters from Melbourne once again made their presence felt in the Girls 9-10 Division, with Jenna securing the top spot after shooting a 12-over 78. Julia, her younger sister, finished second with a 32-over 98. In the Boys 11-12 Division, Joshua Fleming of Deerfield Beach posted a 3-over 69 to claim first place, while Gabriel Shabashkevich of Boca Raton finished second with a 5-over 71, sinking a birdie putt on the 18th hole. Blake Quilleon of Royal Palm Beach took the Boys 13-18 Division title, shooting a 4-over 70, which included a birdie. Owen Hicks of Wellington finished three strokes behind, securing second place with a 7-over 73 and two birdies. In the Boys 9-10 Division, Victor Monssoh of Miami shot a 1-over 67, carding two birdies to take first place. Deven Allen of Fort Pierce finished second with a 3-over 69, also recording two birdies. The South Florida PGA Junior Tour thanks the staff at PGA National for hosting this event and congratulates all participants on their performances. The Prep Tour Championship is an invite-only event based on the Player of the Year standings. Invitations will be sent via email from BlueGolf. Please note the division sizes have been based on the breakdown of the Prep Tour membership. Stay tuned for more tournament recaps and photos by following us on social media! Leaderboard
The South Florida PGA Junior Tour hosted a Toptracer Prep Tour tournament, presented by Callaway, on Sunday, October 20, at The Links at Boynton Beach Golf Course. A full field of 78 junior golfers competed in this one-day, 18-hole event across various age divisions. In the Girls 11-12 Division, Mia Heuberger of Palm Beach Gardens had a strong performance, shooting even-par with four birdies to secure first place. Alyna Yensabai of Lake Worth finished second with a 2-over 73, recording three birdies. The Girls 13-18 Division was shortened to a 16-hole event due to weather and darkness. Stella Ronja Lind of Doral continued her winning streak, shooting an 8-over 71 with two birdies to take home first-place honors. Emily Kaulen of Port Saint Lucie had a strong showing as well, finishing just one stroke behind with a 9-over 72 to claim second place. In the Boys 9-10 Division, Victor Monssoh of Miami claimed first place, shooting a 3-over 74 and carding three birdies. Brian Kelley of Port Saint Lucie finished second with a 5-over 76, also recording three birdies. Jackson Logan of Fort Lauderdale secured first place in the Boys 11-12 Division with a 4-over 75 and three birdies, winning by four strokes. A scorecard playoff determined second place between Linus Castro of Jupiter and Atlas Andrews of West Palm Beach, who both shot 8-over 79. Castro earned the second-place medal as a result of the scorecard playoff. The Boys 13-18 Division also saw a scorecard playoff to determine first place. Elliot Fishman of Boca Raton and Luke Harrigan of Hobe Sound both shot 6-over 77, with Fishman securing the first-place title. The South Florida PGA Junior Tour thanks the staff at The Links at Boynton Beach Golf Course for hosting this event and congratulates all participants on their performances. Mark your calendars for the next Toptracer Prep Tour event this Saturday, October 26, at PGA National. Follow us on social media for more tournament recaps and photos! Leaderboard | Photo Album
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