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USA Today
06-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Meet the woman behind Hobe Sound's tough course conditioning at the U.S. Senior Challenge
Julie Williams Special to Golfweek Jackie Byler puts a lot of stock in the quality of a golf course's greens. They have been her primary focus these past two years as superintendent of Hobe Sound (Florida) Golf Club, a private facility with a small membership that sits amid some of South Florida's most prominent courses – Medalist and McArthur to the north, Jupiter Island Club to the east. This is something that Byler, 38, picked up from Dick Gray, the former head greenskeeper at PGA Golf Club in St. Lucie, Florida, who became an important mentor for her as she navigated her way to the superintendent position at Hobe Sound. 'When I first started, my biggest focus was the greens and just kind of start getting my program figured out on what products I wanted to use and the timing of all of it,' Byler said, 'and I felt like just with my experience working with Dick Gray, he was kind of always known for his greens also. 'Kind of sticking with the program that was very similar but knowing that the greens are the most important anywhere and that if you have good greens, that's the thing – sometimes you'll have a little bit more forgiveness in other areas. But the greens are the things that make or break people's careers.' Hobe Sound doesn't often open its doors to outside events, but the course welcomed 26 four-man teams of senior amateurs – including several nationally ranked players – on April 28-30 for the U.S. Senior Challenge. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle 'Our interest with this was we just felt that bringing some of the best senior amateurs to the club and putting our course to the test was something that was very interesting to us,' Hobe Sound general manager Jason Hayes said before the tournament. And truly, it was a test. Players raved about course conditioning on a challenging layout that never offered a break. Having come from PGA Golf Club, Byler knows something about putting a course in tournament condition. Byler is a former field hockey player who graduated high school in 2005 knowing she wanted a job outdoors. She attended Penn State for the turfgrass science program and stepped into the golf industry by way of a pair of back-to-back internships at Disney's golf facility. 'That's when I realized being in Florida during the winter is a lot better than Pennsylvania,' said Byler, a Pennsylvania native. 'So that's where learning to work with the warmer season grasses started.' Byler transitioned to PGA Golf Club at the beginning of 2012 as a second assistant/irrigation tech. Over the course of 11 years, she worked her way up the ladder. As a kid, Byler loved helping her mom with the flower beds every spring and summer – picking out plant material, putting down mulch and generally spending time outside. She dabbled in golf with her father, Jeff Byler, from the time she was 11 years old. First she would just hit a shot or two, then she'd drop a ball by the green and play in and eventually, she could put together a full round. The combination drew her to a career in golf, even though she very nearly bailed on that idea after a foray into athletic field maintenance that began with a quest for Penn State football season tickets. After missing the online ticket sales window because she was working at the university's Valentine Turf Research Center, she decided to approach some of the stadium grounds crew while working in a shared wash area for equipment. 'If you guys need somebody for the fall to work on staff, let me know,' she told them. That led to a grounds crew job in which Byler pitched in on jobs like maintaining the perimeter of the stadium, the parking areas and the intramural fields. 'That was a great trade-off because then doing that, yes we had to do some work early in the morning on game days but we got paid to sit on the sideline and watch the games,' she said. 'For awhile, I thought I wanted to get into athletics because I really enjoyed that side of things and really enjoyed college football.' Alas, golf won out. Throughout her time at Penn State, Byler, as a woman in turfgrass science, was in the minority. Often, her classes would include 30 to 50 students, and she'd be the only female. As her career progressed, she sometimes felt brushed to the side or like people would discount what she was saying simply because she was female. Just as often, though, people were welcoming and gender wasn't a factor. Word of Byler's skillset traveled, and ultimately, it's what afforded her the chance to take the next step from PGA Golf Club in 2023. When the Hobe Sound job came open, Byler's name seemed to be coming up over and over again to the course's greens chair. Byler got a call one Saturday that he'd like to meet with her and when that went well, Byler found herself driving the golf course two days later with the outgoing superintendent. By Thursday, she had a job offer. 'I didn't necessarily know if I would ever have a chance to work at a private club,' said Byler, who is eager to continue building up Hobe Sound. She's making the most of the one that came her way.
The Star
03-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Block party on again as club pro qualifies for PGA Championship
MICHAEL Block, the Southern California golf pro who shot into the spotlight at the 2023 PGA Championship with a legendary effort including a slam-dunk ace, has qualified for the 2025 tournament from May 15 to 18 at Quail Hollow olf Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. Block, 48, beat the odds again this week when he tied for third as 20 of 312 club pros qualified for the major through the PGA Professional Championship, a four-day event at the PGA Golf Club's Wanamaker Course in Port St Lucie, Florida.
Japan Times
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Japan Times
Club pro Michael Block qualifies for PGA Championship
Michael Block, the Southern California golf pro who shot into the spotlight at the 2023 PGA Championship with a legendary effort including, a slam-dunk ace, has qualified for the 2025 tournament, which will be held from May 15 to 18 at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina. Block, 48, beat the odds again this week when he tied for third as 20 of 312 club pros qualified for the major through the PGA Professional Championship, a four-day event at the PGA Golf Club's Wanamaker Course in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Block, the head pro at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club, carded rounds of 64-71-75-74 to finish at 4-under par. Tyler Collet of Vero Beach, Florida, won by 10 shots with a record-breaking 15 under.
Reuters
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Block party on: Club pro qualifies for PGA Championship
May 2 - Michael Block, the Southern California golf pro who shot into the spotlight at the 2023 PGA Championship with a legendary effort including a slam-dunk ace, has qualified for the 2025 tournament on May 15-18 at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, N.C. Block, 48, beat the odds again this week when he tied for third as 20 of 312 club pros qualified for the major through the PGA Professional Championship, a four-day event at the PGA Golf Club's Wanamaker Course in Port St. Lucie, Fla. The head pro at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club, Block carded rounds of 64-71-75-74 to finish at 4 under par. Tyler Collet of Vero Beach, Fla., won by 10 shots with a record-breaking 15 under. "The goal this week was to kind of show my kid (caddie Ethan) the nuances of playing golf, and I think I did," said Block, who is from Mission Viejo, Calif. "Keep it in the fairway off the tee. Hit the green. If you miss the green, get up and down, make a conservative chip, and then be a decent putter. I think I showed him a good way to do it. And if I finish third, fourth or fifth, or whatever it is, as long as I'm in the top 20, I'm going to Quail Hollow and I'm very happy." He will play in the PGA Championship for a seventh time but has made the cut only once, when he captured the attention of fans and media by turning the 2023 event at Oak Hill into a "Block Party." Block tied for 15th with the aid of a hole-in-one at the par-3 15th hole in the final round, witnessed by the golf world including playing partner Rory McIlroy. That Sunday, he also saved par with a clutch up-and-down from off the green and 8-foot putt at No. 18 to secure a top-15 finish and automatic invitation to the 2024 PGA Championship.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Yahoo
The 15 Best Things To Do In Port St. Lucie, Florida
Stick a pin anywhere on a map of Florida, and you're likely to have identified a great vacation destination. Between bustling, energy-filled cities like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando and a never-ending parade of picturesque beach towns, there's quite literally always someplace new to explore in the Sunshine State. If you're seeking a destination that gives you the best of both worlds—the dining and attractions of big cities, plus the nature and serenity of smaller towns—look no further than Port St. Lucie. Located on Florida's Treasure Coast, a 21-mile stretch of eastern coastline from Vero Beach to Stuart, Port St. Lucie has all that—and then some. As the largest city in St. Lucie County, Port St. Lucie is home to big draws like the 54-hole PGA Golf Club and Clover Park, a major spring training site for the New York Mets. At the same time, you'll find easy access to gorgeous natural preserves and pristine beaches. Keep reading for the 15 best things to do in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Celebrating 15 years in 2025, the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens is a bedrock of the community, welcoming all to enjoy its shaded walkways, flowering native gardens, and acres of wetlands and mangrove forests. Spend an afternoon exploring the 21-acre property situated on the St. Lucie River. Major points of interest include a colorful hibiscus garden, orchid room, palm walk, and butterfly garden that's also popular among hummingbirds. 2410 SE Westmoreland Blvd., Port St. Lucie, FL 34952; 772-337-1959 It doesn't get more idyllic than Town Center at Tradition Square, a large greenspace in the heart of a healthy-living community that's surrounded by local boutiques, restaurants, and businesses. The popular gathering space hosts near daily events ranging from exercise classes to paint and sip classes. Every Sunday brings the Tradition Neighborhood Market, an open-air farmers featuring buyable goods from farmers, bakers, artisan crafters, artists, and more. 10807 SW Tradition Square, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987; 772-207-0057 Join Eddie and Steph Hamrick for a cruise around the North Fork of the St. Lucie River Aquatic Preserve on their 36-passenger boat called The River Lilly II. The local couple and wildlife enthusiasts offer both jungle-eco (departing daily at 11 a.m.) and relaxation cruises (departing daily at 5:30 p.m. or 6:30 p.m.) year-round. On either you'll have the chance to see and learn about native wildlife including alligators, turtles, and dozens of species of native aquatic birds. 500 East Prima Vista Blvd Port St Lucie, FL 34985; 772-489-8344 Florida is known for having a huge number of gorgeous golf courses across the state, but perhaps none are as prestigious as the PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie. Owned and operated by the PGA of America, the renowned facility features 54 holes, designed by legends like Tom Fazio and Pete Dye, that are all open for public play. Book a tee time or spring for a Stay and Play package. if you've ever dreamed of becoming a pro golfer, this might be the next best thing. 1916 Perfect Drive, Port St. Lucie, FL 34986; 800-800-4653 Port St. Lucie's location on the St. Lucie River and near the Atlantic Ocean has created the perfect environment for some truly remarkable natural preserves. Hiking biking, and horseback riding trails abound at McCarty Ranch Preserve. Folks can enjoy the 300-acre lake system by fishing, canoeing, or kayaking and even spend the night at a primitive camp or RV site. Another great day-use site is Spruce Bluff Preserve, which includes two self-guided interpretive trails, a prehistoric Native American mound, and excellent birding. For time in nature with a bonus educational component, visit the Oxbox Eco-Center and Nature Preserve, where you can explore boardwalks, pedestrian trails, and observation towers to see native flora and fauna, then head into the eco-center to learn about what you saw through displays, workshops, lectures, and public events. 5400 NE St. James Dr., Port St. Lucie, FL 34983; 772-785-5833 For scenic views as far as the eye can see, take a sunset stroll along Port St. Lucie's Boardwalk at The Port District, which runs along the St. Lucie River for nearly 1,000 feet between Tom Hooper Park and Veterans Park at Rivergate (where you'll also find boat ramps and a pavilion). Access the boardwalk from either end using paths that wind through mangrove forests before opening to the 10-foot-wide boardwalk and observation deck. 772-878-2277 Every year locals look forward to the return of the New York Mets, who play their spring training games at Clover Park. It's a great opportunity to see some of your favorite MLB teams pay for a fraction of the cost of a regular-season game. If you don't happen to visit during the spring training season, you can catch the Port St. Lucie Mets minor league team playing home games at Clover Park all summer long. 31 Piazza Drive, Port St Lucie, FL 34986; 772-871-5476 Open for breakfast seven days a week, there's hardly anything you can't find on the menu at Berry Fresh Café. The popular breakfast and lunch spot's m.o. is making sure everything is fresh as can be. Juices are pressed fresh daily, fruits and veggies are almost always sourced locally, and all proteins are farm-raised and cage-free. Start your meal with an order of cinnamon-sugar dusted blueberry fritters for the table, then make the very difficult choice between sweet (think challah French toast or lemon ricotta pancakes) or savory (omelets, hashes, Benedicts, and biscuits). 1718 SW St. Lucie West Blvd., St. Lucie West, FL 34986; 772-336-5291 Folks have been extolling the wonders of Think Greek's excellent dishes since it began as a food truck in 2014. Owned and operated by a family of first-generation Greek Americans, you can count on all the classics like spanakopita, souvlaki, dolmades, and moussaka, as well as some fun fusion dishes like Greek honey garlic wings and their award-winning Gyropitakia (fried wontons loaded with a blend of lamb and beef, goat cheese, chives, and cream cheese). 644 SW Port St. Lucie Blvd., Port St. Lucie, FL 34953; 772-800-3128 Another great spot to grab lunch is Babablu's Cuban Café, which like Great Greek was featured on Guy Fieri's Best Bite in Town TV show. You can't go wrong with a Cuban sandwich during any time of day, but if you're looking for something a little heartier, try a plate with a meat of your choice, rice, beans, and plantains, or French fries. Popular options include ropa vieja (shredded beef stewed in Spanish wine sauce with peppers, onions, and tomatoes) and churrasco (skirt steak served with housemade chimichurri). 1002 SE Port St. Lucie Blvd., Port St. Lucie, FL 34953; 772-207-5165 Located off Tradition's Town Square overlooking Tradition Lake, Meating Street Seafood & Steakhouse is the place to go for a delicious dinner with a view. The modern, light-filled dining room provides the perfect atmosphere to enjoy anything from an indulgent surf and turf meal to plated house creations like short rib ragu or Tuscan shrimp. Reservations are recommended. If you're an early diner, take advantage of the restaurant's Sunday through Thursday pre-fixe special that includes a choice of salad, entrée (bouillabaisse, pork chop, prime rib, salmon, and more), and chef's dessert for just $34.95. Not ready for a full meal so early? Happy hour at the bar is another great option. 10553 SW Meeting St., Port St. Lucie, FL 34987; 772-348-3805 It's hard to imagine a Florida vacation without at least one seafood-centric meal on the itinerary. In Port St. Lucie, you can get your fill at Kyle G's Oyster and Wine Bar. At this elegant restaurant, you can always get an excellent chilled oyster and martini, but the fun doesn't stop there. Middleneck clams, whole Maine lobster, and snow crab legs are also great starters. For dinner, fish dishes range from Cajun Cod with crawfish-oyster stuffing to Floribbean Mahi-Mahi with jasmine rice, coconut rum sauce, and mango salsa. 1724 SW St. Lucie West Blvd., Port St. Lucie, FL 34986; 772-807-1220 For a comfortable place to set up home base in the heart of all the action, snag a room at the Courtyard Port St. Lucie Tradition, which is conveniently located in easy walking distance to all the shops, restaurants, trails, parks, and gorgeous greenspaces of the Tradition community. 10251 SW Innovation Way, Port St Lucie, FL 34987; 772-732-9300 One of the best things about Port St. Lucie is its easy access to the beach. The white sands and crystal-clear waters of Jensen Beach and Hutchison Beach are just over 10 miles away, so it's a quick drive to have a day of fun in the sun. If you want to wake up with a view of the water, reserve a room or suite at the sprawling Hutchinson Shores Resort & Spa, for all the amenities you could dream of, or opt for its sister stay The Lucie, which offers a more intimate boutique experience. If you've got a larger travel group or simply desire a little room to spread out, consider booking a rental home. Right Direction Rentals offers a large collection of all-sized homes in Port St. Lucie, as well as in the nearby community of Jensen Beach for those seeking waterfront views. 772-873-0515 Read the original article on Southern Living
