Dear Panama Senior Golfers: This e-mail is a reminder that the second tournament of the 2012 season will be held on Wednesday, March 14, at Radisson Summit. If you want to participate, please confirm your attendance by responding to this e-mail at panamaseniorgolf@yahoo.com, or by calling Michelle Dominguez at 6673-3172 or 300-2010

Dear Panama Senior Golfers: The second tournament of the 2012 season will be held on Wednesday, March 14, at Radisson Summit. Detailed information is shown in the attached invitation. Please confirm your attendance by responding to this e-mail at panamaseniorgolf@yahoo.com, or by calling Michelle Dominguez at 6673-3172 or 300-2010. We would appreciate your confirmation by no later than Friday, March 9, in order to make the appropriate arrangements for the tournament. Please also forward this message to any golfers that you think might be interested in participating or joining our organization. We look forward to seeing you!!! Kevin Tynes, Executive Director, Panama Senior Amateur Golf Association. Kevin Bradley, President, Panama Senior Amateur Golf Association. Roberto Vallarino, President, Panama Golf Association.

After two years of dormancy, the monthly tournaments of the Panama Senior Amateur Golf Association (Asociación de Golfistas Senior Aficionados de Panamá) are being revived. The first tournament of the 2012 season will be held on Tuesday, February 14, at Tucan Golf & Country Club. Please confirm your attendance by responding to this e-mail at panamaseniorgolf@yahoo.com, or by calling Michelle Dominguez at 6673-3172 or 300-2010. We would appreciate your confirmation by no later than Friday, February 10, in order to make the appropriate arrangements for the tournament. Please also forward this message to any golfers that you think might be interested in participating or joining our organization. More details on future plans will be discussed at a meeting after the tournament. We look forward to seeing you next week!!! Kevin Tynes, Executive Director, Panama Senior Amateur Golf Association. Kevin Bradley, President, Panama Senior Amateur Golf Association. Roberto Vallarino, President, Panama Golf Association

Panama's twelve golf courses put the nation in third place in the region with the highest number of courses available to those who wish to practice this sport, after Colombia and the Dominican Republic. Proportionally, Panama has 3.4 golf courses per million inhabitants, while Colombia is only one per million. The growing number of golf courses has also created a demand for staff to attend to their maintenance and operation. (La Prensa)

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - I received the following Request For Information (RFI) this morning: "Don, I have seen your name on a number of articles about Panama, so maybe you can help me or point me in the right direction. I am a US citizen considering retirement in Panama. I see golf being a major part of my recreational time during retirement and would like to get a listing of courses in Panama, Locations, fees, etc would be helpful. Can you help me here? Thanks, Jack"

New Courses Opened: I have to admit that since I sat down behind this computer screen about six years ago, my time in a golf cart has dwindled down to practically zero. And that's a bad thing. I'm going to start getting out there more often to swing by club and whack my balls, and will be doing a review and an article on each of the golf courses currently open in Panama as content for the website. If you really want to play a lot of golf most of the courses are located either near Panama City or along the Pacific coast up near Coronado. And, there are new courses planned and opening all the time. So, for now it will have to suffice to say that there are lots of courses and many opportunities to play golf in Panama. What's more, from Panama it's relatively easy to hop to other close by places such as Colombia and play courses there as well. That's the short answer. The long answer will be coming over the "course" of the next few weeks and months. Fore!

Copyright 2010 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.

The 2010 Isthmian National Golf Championship (Campeonato Nacional del Istmo 2010) will be played 8-9 and 22-23 May 2010. This is the premier amateur golf tournament of the year in Panama dating back over 50 years of Isthmian amateur golf and is a great opportunity to play four of the best golf courses in Panama. Held by the Panama Golf Association (APA Golf) and its participating clubs, the four rounds of the tournament will be played on two weekends (8-9 May and 22-23 May 2010) on 4 separate courses -- Royal Decameron Golf Club and Coronado Golf and Beach Resort on 8-9 May and Panama Golf Club and Summit Golf and Resort on 22-23 May. Note that unlike last year, the tournament could not be played this year on consecutive weekends because of the national census on Sunday 16 May. The cost for this event is $250 which includes the golf with golf cart, prize eligibility, goodie bag, sponsor giveaways, awards ceremony diner and more.

Categories:

• I. Men:
• - Category A (Championship): Handicap Index up to 4.3, Championship Tees
• - Category B: Index 4.4 to 9.1, White Tees
• - Category C: Index 9.2 to 14.3, White Tees
• - Category D: Index 14.4 to 21.2, White Tees
• - Category E: Index 21.2 and higher, White Tees
  
  
• II. Women - Red Tees
  
  
• III. Senior (55 to 69) - Yellow Tees
  
  
• IV. Super Senior (70+) - Red Tees

Schedule: Golf course by category and individual tee times will be announced at the APA Golf website.

Those participants who have a current and valid handicap index other than APA Golf must submit documentation for validation by APA Golf from the applicant’s home course or handicap organization. Those with no current handicap index may still play but will do so with a zero handicap for net play competition. Verification of current APA Golf Handicaps may be viewed here: http://www.ptygolf.com/ - or - http://www.golfweb.ws/4974/

This a stroke play tournament and prizes will be awarded as follows: one gross prize and three net prizes will be awarded in each category. The winner of the championship category will be crowned and recognized as the Isthmian Amateur Champion for 2010. Application forms are available the APA Golf web site and the pro shops at Summit Golf and Resort, Club de Golf de Panama, Tucan, Cielo Paraiso, Coronado Golf and Resort and Royal Decameron Golf Club. Deadline for application is 10 a.m. Friday 7 May 2010. The portal web site for the Panama Golf Association: http://www.ptygolf.com/ has a link to tournament information as well as the inscription (sign-up) form as well as the rules and conditions of play. For more information call Roberto Vallarino (6030-0531) or Bob Askew 6630-6061 or email rtaskew@yahoo.com

PANAMA CITY (AP) — Fran Quinn won the Panama Championship for his fourth career Nationwide Tour title, shooting a 1-over 71 for a two-stroke victory over Brian Smock. Quinn had a tournament-record 15-under 265 total at Panama Golf Club. "I made it interesting for everyone," said Quinn, the 44-year-old Massachusetts native who took a five-stroke lead into the final round. "I've never had a big lead like that before and I just put it on cruise control instead of trying to keep making birdies." Smock closed with a 67. Tommy Gainey (67) finished third at 10 under, and Kevin Chappell (67), D.J. Brigman (69), Marco Dawson (70), Mark Anderson (72) and Argentina's Julio Zapata (73) tied for fourth, seven strokes behind Quinn. Quinn opened with rounds of 66, 66 and 62, then held on as the wind picked up in 90-degree heat Sunday. "I started out and just striped it," Quinn said. "I played really well the first seven holes, but missed four putts inside of 6 to 8 feet. I missed putts and duffed a chip on a par 5. I felt like I could have been 4 under at that point but was 2 over. I think I held onto the steering wheel a little too tight." Smock was the only player to put any real heat on Quinn. "When someone has a lead like that, the only thing you can do is to try and apply some pressure," Smock said. "You can't make bogeys out here. If you do you just make it easier on him. I think I was four shots back starting the back nine and I thought if I could shoot 3-under I might have a chance." Quinn, who finished No. 25 on the Nationwide Tour money list last year to earn a PGA Tour card, will return to the big tour next week for the Honda Classic.

Panama City, Panama (Sports Network) - Fran Quinn established a new course record with an eight-under 62 on Saturday and moved to the top of the leaderboard after the third round of the Panama Claro Championship. Quinn finished 54 holes at 16-under 194 and crushed the former third-round record of 200 set by Tripp Isenhour and Brenden Pappas in 2006. Quinn is five strokes ahead at Panama Golf Club. Julio Zapata shot a three-under 67 and is alone in second place at minus-11. Fabian Gomez (66), Mark D. Anderson (67) and Brian Smock (67) share third place at 10-under 200. Second-round leader Kevin Kisner carded an even-par 70 on Saturday and that dropped him into a tie for sixth place with 2008 champion Scott Dunlap, who had a one-under 69. The pair finished at nine-under 201. This course was the most difficult on the Nationwide Tour last year, but three days of rain and no wind have led to a rewriting of the record books. Nine- hole, 18-hole, and 54-hole records have been shattered. "We haven't had the wind," said Quinn. "You get the wind and the greens get a little firmer and a lot of shots get trickier. It's a great golf course, but it's also out there." Quinn flew out of the gate on Saturday with seven birdies in his first 10 holes. After his approach at 11, a rain deluge hammered the course and caused play to be stopped for about 20 minutes. "We had to wait in the fairway and the momentum slowed down a little bit," acknowledged Quinn. "We waited about 20 minutes. I think it affected everybody. I think it slowed me down but I continued to hit good shots, I just didn't make the putts." Quinn made one last putt and it was important. He sank a 15-foot birdie putt at the last to give him a 62 and break Isenhour's course record from four years ago. "I came down here just to keep my momentum and keep playing well and be ready for my next ones," admitted Quinn, a three-time winner on the Nationwide Tour. "I think I'm in four of the next five on tour. I was using this week to make sure I was ready when I get my opportunity and right now I have a great opportunity on Sunday. I'm enjoying it." Marco Dawson shot a one-under 69 and is alone in eighth at minus-eight. NOTES: The weather stoppage was the first in the seven-year history of the tournament... Quinn's five-shot lead is the largest on tour since Marc Leishman led by the same number at the 2008 WNB Golf Classic.

The Veneto A Wyndham Grand Hotel will be hosting some of professional golfers playing this year at the Panama CLARO Golf Championship. In support of this event the Veneto is offering its special rate promotion. Please click on the following link to book your reservation now - www.venetopanama.com. Below is a little information about the tournament itself.

Panama CLARO Championship Golf Tournament - The 2010 Nationwide Tour event is getting a new name. It's now called CLARO Panama Championship golf tournament. CLARO Panama is the title sponsor of the Nationwide Tour in Panama City, Panama and is the largest mobile telephone company in Latin America (operating under America Movil). For the seventh consecutive year, the Panama CLARO Championship will be played Monday Feb. 22 to Sunday Feb 28, 2010 at Panama Golf Club. In 2009, Vanice Veazey walked away with the tournament title and the $108,000 prize. Who will be the 2010 Panama CLARO Championship Golf Tournament? We'll have to wait and see.

Golf in Panama - Panama doesn't just have a rich cultural heritage and natural surroundings; it is quickly becoming a top golf destination for avid golfers across the globe. Panama has some of the best championship golf courses in Central America. Their courses offer challenging holes for pros and amateurs alike as well as a variety of picturesque locales. Panama offers golf courses by the sea as well as alongside national parks. When you golf in Panama, you can experience its natural beauty and hospitality.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- The Nationwide Tour's season-long quest to award PGA TOUR cards to its 25 leading money winners begins next week with back-to-back events in New Zealand and Australia. The Michael Hill New Zealand Open launches the Nationwide Tour's 21st season Jan. 28-31 at The Hills Golf Club in Queenstown, marking the earliest dates the Tour has launched its season "Down Under". The Tour travels from New Zealand to Fingal, Victoria, Australia for the Moonah Classic at Moonah Links on the Mornington Peninsula, south of Melbourne, Feb. 4-7. Both events are co-sanctioned in partnership with the PGA Tour of Australasia and feature 156 players -- 78 from both tours. GOLF CHANNEL will air the Michael Hill New Zealand Open on Jan. 30-31 (7:30-9:30 a.m. ET) and the Moonah Classic on Feb. 6-7 (6:30-8:30 a.m. ET) in the United States. The New Zealand/Australia stops will be followed by the Tour's seventh consecutive visit to Panama City, Panama for the Panama CLARO Championship Feb. 25-28. A new event, the Pacific Rubiales Bogotá Open presented by Samsung, will be played March 4-7 in Bogotá, Colombia. It will be the Nationwide Tour's first tournament in South America and the first time a PGA TOUR-sanctioned event will be played for official money in South America. The Nationwide Tour's domestic season commences March 25-28 with the Chitimacha Louisiana Open outside Lafayette, La. The Tour's 21st season will feature 28 events played in 17 states in the U.S. and six countries abroad, its most international stops ever. Over 200 players who have Nationwide Tour access will compete to secure one of the 25 PGA TOUR cards for 2011 that will be awarded at the season-ending Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island in Charleston, S.C., on Oct. 28-31. "One of the very special things about the Nationwide Tour is that with each new year comes great anticipation about which players will emerge and contend for PGA TOUR cards," said Nationwide Tour president Bill Calfee. "Starting in New Zealand next week and then Australia, this year's season-long quest features six countries plus the U.S. and more than 60 international members from 19 countries. We invite golf fans everywhere to follow all 28 Nationwide Tour events as the competition to identify the next Jim Furyk, Zach Johnson, Stewart Cink or Lucas Glover plays out from January through October."

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - Received today via email from Bob Askew: "am happy to announce that the Isthmian National Golf Championship returns to Panama in May. This great amateur tournament died away about ten years ago, but through the efforts of the Panama Golf Association (APA Golf) and its participating clubs, it is returning and will be played on consecutive weekends (9-10 and 16-17 May 2009) on 4 separate courses -- Panama Golf Club and Summit Golf and Resort on 9-10 May and Royal Decameron Golf Club and Coronado Golf and Beach Resort on 16-17 May. Interest in golf in Panama has grown tremendously, and this Isthmian Championship (official name “Campeanato Nacional del Istmo 2009”) is a chance to take part and a great opportunity to play four great golf courses. The cost for this event is $250 which includes the golf with golf cart, prize eligibility, goodie bag, sponsor giveaways and more. (more)

The Canadian Press PANAMA CITY — Vance Veazey won the season-opening Panama Championship on Sunday for his fourth career Nationwide Tour victory, beating Garrett Willis with a two-putt par on the second hole of a playoff. The 43-year-old Veazey, also the 2005 winner at Panama Golf Club, birdied the par-4 18th in regulation to join Willis (66) at 7-under 273. Willis also closed with a birdie, his fourth in the last six holes of regulation. "I love Panama," said Veazey, the only player in the field with four straight rounds in the 60s. "The people are great. The support is great. The course is great. I love everything about it and wish I could play 20 tournaments here." Bryan DeCorso of Guelph, Ont., shot even-par 70 to finish tied for sixth place at 277. Dustin Risdon of Calgary (278) tied for tenth, Brennan Webb of Huntsville, Ont., tied for 19th with 280 and Jon Mills of Oshawa, Ont., finished the tournment tied for 23rd at 281. (more)

Panama City, Panama (Sports Network) - Vance Veazey shot a two-under 68 on Saturday to grab a one-shot lead at the Panama Championship. Veazey, the 2005 champion, finished three rounds of the Nationwide Tour's season-opener at six-under-par 204. Len Mattiace, a two-time PGA Tour winner, fired a six-under 64 to climb from a tie for 31st place into a share of second at five-under 205. Jim Herman, Camilo Benedetti and Jeff Gove all shot 68s to join him there. Second-round leader Rafael Gomez had a one-over 71 and fell into a tie for sixth place with Chris Smith (68) and Esteban Toledo (68) at four-under 206. (more)

Panama City, Panama (Sports Network) - Argentina's Rafael Gomez shot a two- under 68 on Friday to take a one-stroke lead at the Panama Championship. Gomez finished the first two rounds at the 2009 Nationwide Tour opener at five-under 135. Henrik Bjornstad (67), Skip Kendall (69) and 2005 champion Vance Veazey (69) are tied for second place at four-under 136. Jeff Gove (68), Garrett Osborn (69), Camilo Benedetti (69), Kevin Johnson (70) and Jim Herman (70) share fifth place at three-under 137. Gomez made three birdies on the front nine and was suddenly six-under par -- no small feat considering how tough it has been to gain strokes this week at Panama Golf Club. But then his round took an apparently disastrous turn. He stumbled to a bogey at the par-four 10th, then made a triple-bogey seven at the 11th after hitting his tee shot into the water. Gomez chalked it up to a loss of concentration. "I was playing really well and then we got some rain showers to start the back nine," he said through a translator. "It affected my concentration and got me in a spin. I got myself squared away and refocused on what I needed to do." Gomez, playing in the second-to-last group, was able to overcome his missteps, collecting birdies at the 13th, 15th and 17th holes to take the second-round lead. The 41-year-old Argentine, who has never won on the Nationwide Tour, picked up a significant title on the Canadian Tour in November when he won the Sport Frances Open by a stroke. "I came here trying to win this tournament," said Gomez. "I don't know if I will, but I have prepared for this particular week." Following two days of tough scoring conditions, the cut line fell at three- over 143. Among those who missed the weekend were the last two champions, Scott Dunlap and Miguel Angel Carballo. The tournament marks the beginning of the Nationwide Tour's 20th season.

By Bruce Young for I Seek Golf.com - The 2009 Nationwide Tour plays the first event of its 29 tournament schedule when the Panama Digicel Championship gets underway on Thursday at the Panama Golf Club in Panama City in Panama. The Tour will not only play in Panama in 2009, but will travel to Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and Canada in addition to the events in the US before culminating in the season ending Tour Championship in Charelston in South Carolina in late October. Following this week’s event the Nationwide Tour will take a two week break then move to the Mornington Peninsula in Melbourne for the Moonah Classic followed by the New Zealand Open and the New Zealand PGA Championship. The Panama Golf Club was built in 1976 and designed by Jay Revere and has proved more than a handful for many who have taken the time so early in the season to travel to Panama. The layout is collectively one of the more demanding amongst the Nationwide Tour’s schedule, the grainy greens major factor in that degree of difficulty. (more)

The Sports Network - PANAMA DIGICEL CHAMPIONSHIP, Panama Golf Club, Panama City, Panama - The Nationwide Tour begins its 20th season where it normally starts every year -- outside the country. With 19 of the 29 tournaments set to award winner's checks over $100,000 -- including this week's event, which is offering $108,000 -- and a record amount of $19 million set to be awarded overall, the developmental tour is showing obvious growth. And it begins its new campaign with a Nationwide Tour rarity: a defending champion. Scott Dunlap will join fellow past champions Miguel Carballo (2007), Tripp Isenhour (2006) and Vance Veazey (2005) as he tries to become the first Nationwide Tour player to successfully defend a title. Last year, Dunlap's three-under 277 became the highest winning score in the tournament's five-year history. It was also the highest winning score in 2008. The Nationwide Tour will take a two-week break before returning for its second event of the season, the Moonah Classic in Australia. Aussie Ewan Porter won the tournament last year.

PANAMA CITY, Panama (AP) - Scott Dunlap won the Nationwide Tour's season-opening Panama Movistar Championship on Sunday, closing with a 1-over 71 for a one-stroke victory over Arjun Atwal and Jeff Klauk. The 44-year-old Dunlap, also the tour's 2004 Mark Christopher Charity Classic winner, had a 3-under 277 total on the difficult Panama Golf Club course. "It's the first tournament of the year and you almost don't have any expectations," Dunlap said. "I hadn't played a round of golf since Christmas. You come out here and you hope to play well, but you never know until the first tee. I mean, I was hitting it good on the range, but you never know if that will transfer to the golf course." Dunlap earned $108,000 from the $600,000 purse. (more)

By Joe Chemycz for PGA.com - PANAMA CITY, Panama -- Jeff Klauk rolled in a 40-foot birdie putt from off the 18th green to finish up a 6-under-par 64 Thursday in the opening round of the Panama Movistar Championship, the first tournament on the 2008 Nationwide Tour schedule. His efforts put the St. Augustine, Fla., resident atop the leaderboard by one stroke after the initial 18 holes of the $600,000 event. Veteran Scott Dunlap (65) is alone in second place with Ben Bates, Brendon De Jonge and Pablo Acuna next in line with 66s at the Panama Golf Club. "I've just been ready to go," said Klauk, who was in the second group off the morning tee as the Tour began its 19th season. "It's been a long time since I've gotten off to a decent start. I just want to get to the next level." (more)

The Sports Network - Panama Golf Club, Panama City, Panama - The Nationwide Tour season begins, as usual, outside of the United States. The Panama Movistar Championship is the first of 30 scheduled events for the 19th season of the Nationwide Tour. It will be one of five tournaments played outside the U.S. this year. Last year's event was won by Miguel Carballo, who will have a chance this week to become the first player to repeat as champion on the Nationwide Tour. Next week is the inaugural Mexico Open.

To all Members: Tuesday Jan. 22nd at 0830 hours will be the first AGSP Tournament for 2008 at Summit. Cost is $35 and includes Fee, Cart and Lunch plus prizes. Kindly register with Summit, you may pay them direct or effect payment the day of the event. Best regards, Jovan Vukelja, President

By Bob Askew for Panama-Guide.com - As you might know there's rather limited golf opportunities in Panama ... it's a great place for golf with more courses on the way, so I thought I'd do a quick review. The premier course around Panama City is Club de Golf de Panama (http://www.clubgolf.com.pa) in the Cierro Viento area out towards Tocumen airport. Panama Golf Club has a long, rich history and is the venue of the PGA Nationwide event (Movistar Panama Championship) each year in late January. Due to the association with the PGA, the course has been and is being systematically upgraded. The main scope of work is rebuilding greens and bunkers, but #14 was lengthened by about 80 yards and made into a real par 4. They've rebuilt about half the greens on the course, averaging 2-3 a year. New #6 green will open soon followed by #2. The upgrades have been very good, with designs by the PGA experts. Rather than the old-style big sloping greens, the new ones have specific target areas that reward good approach shots with level, makeable putts. (more)

Marty Henwood - Canadian Tour PANAMA CITY, Panama--Despite making the cut at the Movistar Panama Championship, four Canadians weren’t able to make a move over the weekend at the Nationwide Tour’s season-opener. Jon Mills of Belleville, Ont. was the top Canuck, finishing in a tie for 32nd at 5-over 285. Chris Baryla (Vernon, BC) was 37th along with 2004 Canadian Tour money leader Erik Compton while David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., the Times Colonist Open champion in 2004, placed 51st. Making his Nationwide Tour debut, Brad Fritsch of Manotick, Ont. had his struggles on the weekend, posting rounds of 79-76 to come in 63rd. Miguel Carballo fired a final round 5-under 65 and at minus-6 held on for a two shot win over Jim McGovern, Hunter Haas and Patrick Sheehan. Carballo, who lists Eduardo Romero, Angel Cabrera, Ricardo Gonzalez and De Vicenzo among his heroes, becomes the fourth Latin American to win on the Nationwide Tour, joining Paraguay's Angel Franco and Mexico's Keoke Cotner and Esteban Toledo. The victory -- worth $99,000 -- gives him full status on the Nationwide Tour through the end of the 2008 season. "I still can't believe I won," said Carballo, one of nine siblings. "I didn't think I would ever win but I'm happy that I did. To win any Nationwide Tour tournament would be a thrill, but to do it in Latin America makes it even more special. Earning a Nationwide Tour card and having the opportunity to fulfill a goal of mine to play on the PGA TOUR is beyond words."

(AP) PANAMA CITY, Panama — Argentina’s Miguel Carballo won the Nationwide Tour’s season-opening Panama Championship, closing with a 5-under 65 on Sunday for a two-stroke victory over three players. The 27-year-old Carballo, five strokes back at the start of the round, finished with a 6-under 274 total on the Panama Golf Club course. He earned $99,000 and secured full status on the Nationwide Tour through the end of next season. "I still can’t believe I won," Carballo said. "I didn’t think I would ever win, but I’m happy that I did. To win any Nationwide Tour tournament would be a thrill, but to do it in Latin America makes it even more special. "Earning a Nationwide Tour card and having the opportunity to fulfill a goal of mine to play on the PGA Tour is beyond words." PGA Tour winner Jim McGovern (66), Hunter Haas (70) and Patrick Sheehan (71) tied for second at 4 under, and Camilo Benedetti (65) and third-round leader Marc Turnesa (73) followed at 3 under. Carballo won 55 years after Argentine star Roberto De Vicenzo claimed the first of his five victories at the Panama Golf Club. "Just winning is great," Carballo said. "But winning in the same place where one of the best golfers from Argentina and the world won is a great thrill." Carballo’s only other professional win came in the 2006 Guatemalan Open, an event sanctioned by the PGA European Challenge Tour and the Tour de Las Americas. "My goal at the beginning of the day was to shoot 4 or 5 under, and I was able to do that," Carballo said. "I played so well today under tough conditions and a lot of pressure. ... This course was really hard all week long. You just had to do your best to hit fairways and greens. I guess I did that better than anyone else this week."

Panama City, Panama (Sports Network) - Marc Turnesa shot the round of the day Saturday -- a five-under 65 -- to take the lead heading into the final round at the Movistar Panama Championship. Turnesa is at six-under-par 204 and one stroke ahead of second-round leader Patrick Sheehan. The rookie had six birdies and a bogey Saturday and is looking for his first Nationwide Tour win in four career starts. The only other time Turnesa made a cut was in his first start, at the 2002 Hershey Open. "It is nice to play well and be in contention at the first tournament of the year," said Turnesa, who was tied for 16th overnight. Sheehan had a two-over 72 in his third round, dropping into second place at five-under 205. A PGA Tour member for the last four seasons, he is seeking his second career Nationwide Tour win (2002 Price Cutter Charity Championship). "Tomorrow will be all about survival," Sheehan said. "The course is getting firmer and extremely difficult."

The 2007 Movistar Panama Championship will be held from January 25 - 28 at the Club de Golf de Panama in Panama City. Tripp Isenhour finshed 11-under-par 269 to post a three-shot victory at Panama Golf Club in 2006. Golf's Nationwide Tour is the developmental tour for the U.S. based PGA Tour, and features professional golfers who have either failed to score well enough at that level's Qualifying School (the main tour's qualifying tournament, popularly referred to as "Q-School") to earn their PGA Tour card, or who have done so but then failed to win enough money to stay at that level. Those who are on the top 20 of the money list at year's end are given PGA Tour memberships for the next season. All Nationwide Tour Tournaments operate similar to typical PGA Tour tournaments in that they are all 72-hole stroke play events with a cut made after 36 holes. The cut on the Nationwide Tour is for the top 60 players and ties, unlike 70 for the PGA Tour. The fields are usually 144 or 156 players, based on time zones. For the aformentioned international events, the joint tour will split players spots with the nationwide tour for proper sanctioning. As with the PGA Tour, the winner of the tournament will get a prize of 18% of the total purse.

The Next Panama Senior Golf Association (PSGA) Tournament will be held at the Summit Golf & Resort on Weednesday 29 Nov., There will be a Shotgun 8:start at 8:00 a.m., the $30.00 fee includes greens fees & cart. Prizes! Entries with Flor at Summit before 6 p.m., Tuesday 28 Nov. Late entries $5.00 additional

The date for the Panama senior golf association tournament has been changed to Thursday, 14 September (old date Wed. 13th September). This will be a special 1-year celebration for our association with lunch and special prizes. Don’t miss it! All other details remain the same. Next PSGA Tournament Summit Golf & Resort Thursday, 14 September, Shotgun 8:00 a.m. $30.00 includes green fee & cart. Lunch and Special Prizes! Entries at Summit Pro Shop before 6 p.m. Monday 11 September Late entries $5.00 additional

By: Bob Askew - The Panama Senior Golf Association will be holding their monthly golf tournament on Wednesday, 23 August 2006 starting at 8:00 am. The cost is $30.00 and includes a golf cart and green fees. To sign up please contact Flor at Summit. Regular reservations will be accepted until 21 August, after which a $5.00 late fee will be assessed.

The next tournament of the Panama Senior Golf Association will be held on Wendsday, 19 July 2006 at the Summit Golf and Resort. There will be an 8:00 am shotgun start. The cost is $30.00 which includes a golf cart and green fees, and prizes. You can sign up with Flor at the Summit Golf Course and regular sign-ups will be accepted until 17 July at 6:00 PM. Late entries will pay an additional $5.00. For more information contact Bob Askew at rtaskew@yahoo.com and cell 6630-6061.

Here's the details on an upcoming tournament at Summit;