Golf Plus: Big Summer Golf Card returns with new courses

Now that the season is over, area full-time residents can enjoy less-crowded courses through discounted rates.

And that means the return of the Big Summer Golf Card, a discount golf card that's operated for 22 years. There are several Manatee County courses returning, including IMG Academy, Palm-Aire Country Club's Champions and Lakes courses, Peridia Golf and Country Club, River Strand and University Park.

In addition, some new courses making the list this summer from the area are Rosedale, Stoneybrook at Heritage Harbour, The Preserve at Tara and Sarasota's Bobby Jones Golf Club.

The BSGC, which offers a minimum of 25 percent off daily green fees at participating courses, also has special play dates at various private clubs in the area, and the Big Money Tour with prizes for members. The card costs $60 and can be ordered at 923-2232 on Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Southeast High School's 28th annual golf tournament to benefit the school's athletic department and annual booster club scholarship is scheduled for Saturday, May 21 at The River Club. The tournament is a four-person scramble that has a 1 p.m. shotgun start. Registration opens at noon, and it's $75 per player. That entry fee includes greens fee, cart fee, range balls, gift bag and the awards dinner that follows golf. Sponsorships are also available at tiered prices. For sponsorship information, any questions about the tournament or to sign up, contact Southeast athletic director Daniel Bradshaw at 741-3366 ext. 2013 or via email at BradshaD@manateeschools.net.

There's a three-way tie in the annual Sarasota City Men's Amateur at Bobby Jones Golf Club. The tournament is halfway home after last weekend's two rounds on the British Course. Joe Clarkson, Mike Miller and Rich Kyllonen all are at 2-under-par 142 through 36 holes. Several are one shot back, which includes Manatee County's Phil Walters, who is a former champion of the tournament. Last year's winner, Antoine Santarelli, is tied for 13th. Santarelli is at 3-over 147. Last year, Santarelli trained at Missing Link Golf Academy in Lakewood Ranch en route to shooting an 8-under par -- and a nine-shot victory. The tournament concludes this weekend.

Bradenton's Teddy Tetak (tie for third place) and Chandler Hammett (tie for fifth) secured top finishes at last weekend's Florida State Golf Association's Florida Junior Tour event at Estero's Old Corkscrew Golf Club. Palmetto Bay's Chris Nido won with a 3-over-par total on the Jack Nicklaus-designed track. Tetak was four back, while Hammett, a Braden River High golfer, posted a final-round 76 for a 154 total in the boys 16-18 division.

-- Jason Dill

HOLES-IN-ONE

On Friday, April 15 at Tara Golf and Country Club, Joe Stephenson aced the 150-yard sixth hole with a 7-wood. Witnesses were Mike Land, Rick Geren and Bob Clayton.

On Saturday, April 23 at Terra Ceia Bay, Tyler Brown aced the 145-yard eighth hole with a 7-iron. Witnesses were Ryan Bellamy, Cord Graham, Ray Morris and Kyle Levins.

This story was originally published May 4, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Golf Plus: Big Summer Golf Card returns with new courses ."