Shula’s Hotel & Golf Course to Begin Renovations for The Senator Course

A legendary golf course for locals and tourists alike, Shula’s Golf Club will be making new renovations to The Senator Course, a seasoned course known for its natural Florida landscaping in northwest Miami-Dade. The course, which opened in 1963, has had many reasons to celebrate this year including its 50th Anniversary, which was honored with a dedication plaque presented by Senator Bob Graham himself, the man for which the course is named.

There have been a number of celebrity visitors throughout its long and abundant history including former Dolphin greats Bob Griese, Dan Marino & Coach Don Shula as well as a number of other celebrities including former President Bill Clinton, comedian Lewis Black, golfer Tom Watson and former Miami Heat player Alonzo Mourning. Former Senator Bob Graham appeared at the dedication service and recalled fond memories of a patchy landscape covered in cows, and how it would create the perfect place for a course.

This summer, the course will be closed from June 1st through September 2nd, with a Grand Re-Opening scheduled for September 2, 2013 – just in time for Labor Day. Renovation projects for the course include a full renovation of the course’s greens to include Champion Bermuda grass, tees to include Celebration Bermuda Grass, and a full renovation of all bunkers.

Golfers looking for a way to spend their time while the golf course is closed can still enjoy the course’s driving range which will remain open during the renovation process. Shula’s Golf Club will also host a number of member events during renovations to enjoy. More updates on reopening celebration ceremonies and discounts to come. For more information contact Director of Golf Kenny Fill at 305.820.8170.

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Thornton WINS Najeti Hotel opened in the playoffs, edging Van der Walt by title

Simon Thornton of Ireland beat Tjaart Van der Walt on the first hole of a playoff to Open Hotels win Najeti his first European title Sunday. Both players shot 1-under 70 in the final round, each parring the last six holes to finish at 5-under 279. In the playoffs, Van der Walt of South Africa bogeyed No. 18 while Thornton did a short par putt to win the title.

LeaderboardGolf NAJETI Hotels OPEN US Open on TVWhat's in bagsWeek worth of winners of derby winning putter tweetsWho equipment?Who's winning the derby putter?Photos: Top 10 shotsPhotos: Golf equipment around the recapFriday recapSaturday recapSunday worldThursday recap. Seve Benson of England shot 70 to finish third, a shot back. Englishman Robert Dinwiddie was fourth after shooting 70 to total 282-one stroke clear of compatriot Chris Lloyd and Sweden's Pelle Edberg.

"I worked hard on my short game for a couple of years now so I am delighted," Thornton said. "I changed my putter and my technique by placing last week too, so that everyone has come together this week." Thornton tied for 11 at this tournament last year. His only other top-10 European tour finals was finishing ninth at the BMW International Open in Munich in 2010.

The Irishman tears dedicated victory to the deceased father. "It's so great to me," said Thornton. "Father's day, too. He disappeared three years ago and it still hurts. But today they are happy tears. This is dedicated to him. Thornton, Van der Walt and French Baptiste Chapellan went into the final round with a share of the lead. But Chapellan fell out of contention after making six bogeymen in a 77.

Van der Walt and Thornton swapped the lead on the front nine before Benson joined the hunt for the title on the back nine. Thornton Birdie on the 10th to move a stroke clear Van der Walt. But the South African rallied picking up a shot on the 12th. Benson hit two straight birdies to draw level at the top of the leaderboard but faded when he bogeyed the 16TH. "It's really disappointing to get so close and not finish it," said Van der Walt, a finalist at the Africa Open last year.

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