Golf Plus | Nelly Korda turns pro
Bradenton's Nelly Korda isn't waiting anymore to join big sister Jessica at the next level. Nelly used her Twitter and Instagram social media accounts Wednesday to announce her decision to turn pro. That debut comes this week at the IOA Championship in Beaumont, Calif. It's the first tournament of the 2016 LPGA Symetra Tour schedule. The Symetra Tour comes to Manatee County in April with the Guardian Retirement Championship at Sara Bay Country Club. Korda told the Symetra Tour that she decided to turn pro on Monday during breakfast, but waited until Wednesday for the announcement.
Bradenton's Domenico Geminiani captured last weekend's Bobby Jones Open with a scorching 12-under par 132 total for the 36-hole West Florida Golf Tour major tourney. Playing the British Course at Bobby Jones Golf Club, Geminiani fired a final-round 65 to pip Tequesta's Greg O'Mahony by two shots for the $4,000 first-place prize.
Chris Muscara and Jim Stone breezed to their second consecutive Bradenton City Two-Man Senior Championship title last weekend at River Run Golf Links. The duo fired a 131 total for the two-day tournament, cruising to a four-shot victory over Richard Degel and Tim Keeney. It was the eighth annual edition of the tournament. The next Bradenton City series event is March 19-20 when the 19th annual Men's Senior Championship takes place.
Lakewood Ranch's Cameron Weber won the boys 16-18 age division of the Greater Sarasota Junior Golf Association's Winter Tour Series event at Englewood's Boca Royale Golf and Country Club on Sunday. He carded an 85. Bradenton's Bryan Choi fired a 79 to claim the boys 13-15 title. Lakewood Ranch's Jet Chen won the boys 12-and-younger division with an 89. Lakewood Ranch's Katie Kroos-Roberts earned the girls 16-18 championship with an 84. The top local performer in the girls 13-15s was Bradenton's Natalie Robson, who had an 88 and finished in second place. She was seven shots behind North Port's Meadow Southworth's winning total.
HOLES-IN-ONE
On Monday, Jan. 4, at River Strand Golf and Country Club's Tributary course, Myra Kirby aced the 85-yard second hole with a 13-wood. Witnesses were Mike Kirby, Don Boyer and Brenda Boyer.
On Sunday, Jan. 24, at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club's Cypress Links course, Will McLochlin aced the 172-yard 13th hole with a 6-iron. Witnesses were Larry Blondi, Jose Martinez and Eric Rathfelder.
On Monday, Feb. 8, at Terra Ceia Bay Golf Club, Larry White aced the 133-yard eighth hole with a 9-wood. Witnesses were Wayne Gough, Joel White and Karen White.
On Friday, Feb. 12, at Greens of Manatee, Gary Holden aced the 131-yard 11th hole with an 8-iron. Witnessed by John Doepker.
On Sunday, Feb. 14, at Peridia Golf and Country Club, Pat Smith aced the 116-yard 14th hole with a 5-wood. Witnesses were Ginny Lighthizer and Barb Donahie.
-- Jason Dill, Herald sports reporter
This story was originally published February 18, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Golf Plus | Nelly Korda turns pro ."