Mark Tullo Triumphs in Chile Classic – A Historic Fourth Win
Deerwood Country Club teaching professional Mark Tullo has made headlines once again, clinching the Chile Classic title for an impressive fourth time. This latest victory comes 17 years after he secured his third win in this prestigious tournament, further cementing his legacy.
At 47, Tullo, a former member of the DP World Tour, delivered a stellar performance with a final-round score of 66 at the scenic Prince of Wales Golf Club. His total of 10-under par (274) earned him the win by a narrow margin of just one stroke. Tullo’s previous victories in the Chile Classic were in 2005, 2006, and 2008, highlighting his enduring skill on the course.
Felipe Aguilar, a former University of North Florida standout and current member of the PGA Tour Champions, joined the competition, finishing tied for fifth with a score of 7-under after shooting a 71 in the final round. As another proud Chilean, Aguilar added significant local representation in the tournament.
With this win, Tullo has not only secured his 12th professional victory but also his seventh win on home soil in Chile.
First Coast Open Kicks Off 2026 Schedule
The excitement continues in the golfing world as the 10th Jacksonville Area Golf Association First Coast Amateur tournament is set to begin on January 17 at the Deerwood Country Club. This event features 96 players competing in the first of 11 events on the JAGA schedule, all proudly presented by the City of Jacksonville’s Sports and Entertainment division.
Participating Colleges and Players
The First Coast Amateur promises a diverse representation, attracting golfers from nine countries and 42 colleges and universities. Notable participants include:
- Ball State University: Nearly the entire team is in attendance.
- Middle Tennessee: Four players.
- Toledo: Four players.
- St. Bonaventure: Two players.
- University of North Florida: The strongest Southern representation with eight players.
- South Carolina: Six players.
- South Florida, Coastal Carolina, and Mercer: Five players each.
- Tennessee: Four players.
After a successful inaugural year at Deerwood, Payne Denman, assistant coach at South Florida, will return to defend his title. Denman won with a tournament-record score of 18-under (198), including an opening round of 63.
The top finishers in this event will be awarded World Amateur Golf Ranking points, with Tennessee junior Bruce Murphy currently holding the highest ranking at No. 241.
Mark Anderson Shines in PGA Senior Stroke Play Championship
In other golfing news, Mark Anderson from St. Simons Island, GA, shone at the PGA Golf Club Ryder Course in Port St. Lucie, posting a remarkable low-round score of 62 on January 13. This achievement saw him leap from a tie for 36th to a tie for sixth in the PGA Senior Stroke Play Championship. Anderson’s impressive scorecard included six birdies, two eagles, and a single bogey, culminating in a total of 5-under-par 209—eight shots behind the winner, Justin Hicks, who shot a final round of 66.
First Coast Players Excel in Florida Junior Tour Opener
The Skyview Open, the first Florida Junior Tour event of the year held at Skyview at Terra Vista in Hernando, saw three standout players from the First Coast rank among the top 10:
- Samuel Ha (St. Augustine): Tied for third with a score of 147, just four strokes behind winner Joshua Castellanos of Winter Park, who finished at 1-under 143.
- Dmytro Kulyk (St. Augustine): Tied for fifth with a score of 149.
- William McGready (Fleming Island): Finished tied for ninth with a score of 151.
Highlights from JWGA Event at TPC Sawgrass
The Jacksonville Women’s Golf Association (JWGA) held an event on January 16 at TPC Sawgrass Dye’s Valley, featuring some remarkable plays, including two impressive hole-outs:
- Suk Hee Shin registered a hole-in-one at the second hole using a 7-iron from 103 yards.
- Cindy Riley made an eagle on the par-4 18th hole with a driver and 7-wood on the 311-yard hole.
Stay tuned for more updates as the golfing season continues to unfold, shining a spotlight on amateur and professional talent across the region.
