Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Florida State Golf Association was not able to host its Annual Dinner. Instead, the FSGA honored the 2020 Annual Award winners virtually, with a series of videos.
Hall of Fame
Highlighting the year's annual awards were the three newest member of the FSGA Hall of Fame: Karen Korf, Doug LaCrosse and Rick Woulfe. These three exceptional individuals have all been involved with the FSGA for more than 30 years and have done so much for the game of golf in Florida.
Karen Korf
Korf first began volunteering with the FSGA in 1987 and her commitment to the game of golf has been incredible. She will join her husband, Cal, in the FSGA Hall of Fame.
“I don’t even know how to put this into words. I never expected this,” Korf said. “I’m extremely honored to join these remarkable and talented people.”
Doug LaCrosse
LaCrosse has been competing in FSGA events since 1990, building an extensive golf resume over the past 30 years. He has captured 14 FSGA championships and has been named a FSGA Player of the Year four times on his way to this honor.
“When they called to tell me, I couldn’t believe it. I’d never thought about it, so it means a lot,” LaCrosse said. “To do this with Rick, it couldn’t be more fitting.”
Rick Woulfe
Woulfe has been a household name in the world of Florida amateur golf over the past 30 years. He has amassed 15 state championship victories in his career and is a 12-time FSGA Player of the Year.
“It’s a big deal. I’m not going to downplay it at all,” Woulfe said. “I’m particularly excited to do this with Doug. I’ve known Doug for a long time, we are great competitors and teammates. It really just means a lot.”
Players of the Year
Men's Players of the Year
After a capturing the crown jewel of amateur golf, Tyler Strafaci was named the Amateur Player of the Year, and Joey Latowski was tapped as the Mid-Amateur Player of the Year. Paul Royak garnered Senior Player of the Year, while David Anthony was awarded as the Super-Senior Player of the Year. Read more about the four players here.
Amateur Player of the Year - Tyler Strafaci
After a standout season, Tyler Strafaci was named the FSGA Amateur Player of the Year. Strafaci raised the Havemeyer Trophy at the 120th U.S. Amateur Championship at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in August, becoming the first Florida Junior Tour alumni to win the U.S. Amateur.
The fifth-year Georgia Tech senior captured amateur golf’s most important victory on the heels of winning at the North & South Amateur and the Palmetto Amateur in July.
Mid-Amateur Player of the Year - Joey Latowski
Joey Latowski was named the Mid-Amateur Player of the Year after an outstanding 2020 season that saw him take home his first FSGA championship.
The highlight of his season came in October at the Mid-Amateur Championship. One year after losing in the Finals of the Mid-Amateur, it was Latowski who was left standing at the 39th Mid-Amateur Championship at Mayacoo Lake Country Club.
Senior Player of the Year - Paul Royak
Paul Royak picked up Senior Player of the Year honors, after an outstanding 2020 season that included two FSGA championships wins. Roayk captured top finishes in 2020, taking home a runner-up finish at the Senior Amateur Championship at Eagle Creek Golf and Country Club in October.
The highlights of Royak’s season came with Brian Keenan by his side. The two players took home two FSGA Championship victories this season.
Super-Senior Player of the Year - David Anthony
David Anthony earner Super-Senior Player of the Year honors, after a season that saw top finishes and FSGA championship Victory.He raised the trophy at the Super-Senior Championship in October in wire-to-wire fashion.
Women's Players of the Year
Megan Schofill and Kim Keyer-Scott were named the 2020 FSGA Women’s Players of the Year. Schofill was awarded Amateur Player of the Year honors, while Keyer-Scott was named the Senior Player of the Year. Read more about Schofill and Keyer-Scott here.
Women's Amateur Player of the Year - Megan Schofill
Schofill earned Player of the Year honors following a season that saw success at both the state and national level. In July, Schofill raised the 91st Women’s Amateur Championship, overcoming a 10-shot deficit to capture her first FSGA championship. The Auburn University sophomore advanced to the Round of 16 the next month at the U.S. Women's Amateur Championship.
Women's Senior Amateur Player of the Year - Kim Keyer-Scott
Keyer-Scott garnered Senior Player of the Year honors after a successful 2020 season. The Bonita Springs resident took home a runner-up finish at the Women's Senior Amateur Championship in October and earned a top-10 finish at the Women's Mid-Amateur Championship in August. She capped of the year with a win at the Women's Southern Senior Amateur Championship.
Junior Players of the Year
After standout seasons, Kiko Francisco Coelho and Karoline Tuttle were named the 2020 Florida State Golf Association’s Junior Players of the Year. Coelho was awarded the Boys’ Junior Player of the Year, while Tuttle garnered Girls’ Junior Player of the Year honors. Read more about Coelho and Tuttle here.
Boy's Junior Player of the Year - Kiko Francisco Coelho
Coelho was honored with the Boys’ Junior Player of the Year award following a breakout 2020 season, that included an FSGA championship win and success on the Florida Junior Tour. He took home his first FSGA championship in July, winning the Boys' Junior Amateur Championship, while adding an FJT win and five top-ive FJT finishes.
Girl's Junior Player of the Year - Karoline Tuttle
Tuttle earned Girls' Junior Player of the Year honors following a season that saw success in both FSGA championships and on the Florida Junior Tour. Tuttle finished tied for the third at the Women's Amateur Championship in July, while adding a top-10 finish at the Florida Women's Open in August. The Lake Mary native also picked up two FJT wins this season.
Volunteers
Volunteers of the Year
Each year, two outstanding FSGA volunteers are recipients of the Charlie Bedford Award. Mr. Bedford was an FSGA Committee Member and volunteered his time both as a Tournament Chairman and Course Rater. Of the over 500 FSGA Volunteers, only one receives this honorable award in each of the following categories: Tournamanet and Course Rating.
This year, Luanne Zabytko received the Tournament Volunteer of the Year honor, while Royce Zelnar was awarded Course Rating Volunteer of the Year.
Zabytko and Zelnar have both been with the FSGA for over 10 years and their time and dedication is evident. Read more about the two recipients here.
Tournament Volunteer of the Year - Luanne Zabytko
Zabytko has been volunteering with the FSGA for over 10 years, beginning in 2006. Her commitment to the game is unmistakable, volunteering at over 50 events in the last five years alone. Zabytko is well versed in the Rules of Golf, as a Senior Rules Official, and also serves as a tournament chairman in Southeast Florida.
“It’s an honor to be an FSGA volunteer,” Zabytko said. “I’m thrilled that the FSGA had the confidence in me to give me this award and I’m honored to accept it. I appreciate everything the FSGA does and I appreciate being a part of the team.”
Course Rating Volunteer of the Year - Royce Zelnar
Zelnar has volunteering with the FSGA for almost 15 years, beginning in 2006. Due to his commitment to volunteering and leadership, Zelnar became a Course Rating Captain in 2013. He has worked hard to learn The Course Rating System and has demonstrated exceptional organization, attention to detail, and skilled knowledge.
“It’s means a lot, it’s just special,” Zelnar said. “It’s a real appreciation. It’s for doing volunteer work and that type of work just has a special meaning. I would like to thank the FSGA for this honor.”
Volunteer Appreciation
The Florida State Golf Association has over 500 volunteers around the state. This is a short video highlighting their accomplishments and involvement throughout the year. The Association would not be able to conduct over 600 days of competition each year without the support and dedication of their volunteers.
Florida Junior Tour Points Champions
Kiko Francisco Coelho, Ellen Dong, Nicholas Prieto and Jordan Fischer were named the Florida Junior Tour Points Champions for the 2020 season. Read more about the four players here.
Boys 16-18 - Kiko Francisco Coelho
Coelho was named the FJT Boys 16-18 Points Champion, following a season that saw success in both FSGA championships and on the Florida Junior Tour. The highlight of his year came in July at the Boys’ Junior Amateur Championship where Coelho raised the 66th Boys’ Junior trophy. It was his first FSGA championship victory. He added an FJT victory at Mission Inn Resort & Club in July, while also picking up five other top-10 FJT finishes this season.
Girls 16-18 Division - Ellen Dong
Dong earned the Girls 16-18 Points Champion honors, after a successful 2020 season. She captured her first FSGA championship win in July at the 61st Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship at Bradenton Country Club. She also saw success on the Florida Junior Tour, taking home two top-five finishes this season, including a runner-up finish at Cypress Creek Golf Club in January.
Boys 13-15 Division - Nicholas Prieto
Prieto picked up the Boys 13-15 Points Champion title, after a breakout 2020 season, that included three FJT wins. The Miami native started off the year with an FJT win at Palm Harbor Golf Club, the first FJT win of his career. He added another victory in July at the FJT Major at Indian Spring Country Club. Prieto finished the season strong, taking home the win at the Ocala Golf Club to be the only player to capture three FJT victories this season.
Girls 13-15 Division - Jordan Fischer
Fischer was named the Girls 13-15 Points Champion after strong season, that included her first FJT win and six top-three finishes. She got off to a quick start this season, winning her first FJT event at the 54-hole major at the University of Florida. Fischer added four other top-five FJT finishes in 2020, along with finishing runner-up at the Next 100 Invitational.
