Golf

17-year-old Gianna Clemente throwing out first pitch at the April 14 Yankee game highlights a busy year

Southwest Florida is living up to its reputation as one of the golf capitals of the United States.The region is hosting three U.S. Golf Association qualifiers, one in April and two in May. Crown Colony in south Fort Myers is hosting the senior men’s 18-hole qualifier April 25 and the men’s 18-hole U.S. Open qualifier May 8. Grey Oaks Country Club in Naples is hosting the women’s 36-hole U.S. Open qualifier May 13.The senior men’s open and the men’s and women’s U.S. Opens are three of the most prestigious events in golf.The Florida State Golf Association selects the qualifier sites.