2001 champion Kevin Hoffer shows his affection for the Open Cup after winning the Charlotte County Open on his first try.

     The Charlotte County Open is a two-day, stroke play tournament for amateurs and professionals staged by Charlotte County Open Inc., a 501(c)4 tax-exempt, not-for-profit corporation under Florida and federal law. The Charlotte County Open is played in October each year (except for 2004 when it was played in November due to Hurricane Charley). Players compete in several flights, including a championship flight for amateurs and professionals who vie for the Charlotte County Open Cup.

The inaugural Charlotte County Open was held in 2000 at Rotonda Golf & Country Club’s Palms course and Riverwood Golf Club. Initiated by Grant Boxleitner and Brian Gleason of the Charlotte Sun, the tournament’s original title sponsor was Golf USA, owned by Rick and Debra Wright. The Sun has served as presenting sponsor since the event’s inception.

Sabal Trace Country Club head pro Cathy Edelen and CCO president Gleason have served on the tournament’s board since it was formed, They are joined by longtime volunteers and directors including Riverwood general manager Mike Burton, Rotonda general manager David Kelly, Riverwood head pro Bob Ridge, WCCF radio personality Jeff Collins, Peace River Distributing sales manager Gregg Tubbs and Kingsway Country Club head pro Jimmy Karr. Smuggler’s Enterprises operations director Chris Evans joined the board in 2009 as his company assumed the event’s title sponsorship. Past directors have included golf professionals Joey Justice, David Lamm, Curtis Rountree and Rich Meadows, Wright, local businesswoman Nancy Padgett and former Sun sports editor John Fineran.

Tubbs joined the board in 2006 when Peace River Distributing president Robert Wenzel assumed the role of title sponsor of the tournament, which was renamed the Michelob Ultra Charlotte County Open.

In addition to gaining a reputation as one of the premier golf events in Southwest Florida, attracting club and mini-tour pros from across the region and beyond, the tournament allows amateur players of all skill levels to compete in flights against players of similar ability.

The tournament raised more than $10,000 for its two beneficiaries, the Sun’s Newspapers in Education program and Charlotte County junior golf programs. With Smuggler’s joining the event, a portion of the proceeds will now be donated to the Smuggler’s Enterprises Foundation, which supports a variety of community programs in the area. Junior golf programs aided by the tournament have included the Charlotte County Junior Golf Association and junior clinics run by golf courses including Deep Creek Golf Club and Rotonda. 

Sponsorships, ranging from $100 hole signs to $5,000 Ace level major sponsorships, are available for this year’s event. Sponsorships include free entries into the tournament based on the level of sponsorship, as well as inclusion in all event advertising and marketing and signs at the tournament. For more information about sponsorships and other aspects of the tournament, please contact Brian Gleason at 941-206-1133

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Two-time Charlotte County Open champion David Hronek kisses the championship cup after the first of his victories in 2004.