Central Florida News
ANNIKA Media Day Brings Melanie Green Back to Tampa Bay Ahead of Tournament Debut
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — ANNIKA Media Day brought golf to Tropicana Field Thursday as former USF standout Melanie Green helped preview The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican ahead of its November return.
Green, the 2025 Epson Tour Player of the Year and Gaëlle Truet Rookie of the Year, spent the day meeting with media, connecting with fans and throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before the Tampa Bay Rays game.
Green Reflects on USF Roots
Florida National News’ Todd Grasley asked Green what it means to now compete in an LPGA event essentially in her own backyard after spending four years at USF and making Florida home.
“Being a Florida resident now, I’m like, okay, this is awesome,” Green said. “So, you know, it’s exciting.”
The setting carries a different meaning for Green now. She has gone from competing collegiately at USF to the Epson Tour, where her breakout 2025 season earned her Player of the Year honors and a tour card.
Photo: Nisey Spruill / Florida National News / FNN Sports
From Epson Tour to the LPGA
Grasley asked Green about that climb — from USF to Epson Tour Player of the Year and now competing against some of the best players in the world while realizing a childhood dream.
Green reflected on the role her faith and support system played in that journey, saying much of what has happened was bigger than anything she could have created on her own.
When asked if there was an “aha” moment when being an LPGA player finally felt real, Green admitted the transition still requires reminders.
“I feel like I have to continually just keep reminding myself,”
She later put the adjustment into perspective.
“Once you get past the ‘whoa’ of the LPGA, then you can kind of feel like … your feet just aren’t getting wet, you’re actually in the water.”
Attendees gather during ANNIKA Media Day at Tropicana Field as preparations continue for The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican this November. Photo: Nisey Spruill / Florida National News / FNN Sports
USF Foundation Still Matters
Green also reflected on how her time at USF helped prepare her for life beyond college golf.
“I would say my coaches were phenomenal for me,” Green said.
Rather than focusing solely on the mechanics of her swing, Green said her coaches helped her navigate the larger demands surrounding competition, including tournament preparation and time management.
Green Looks Ahead to The ANNIKA
The conversation also turned to Annika Sörenstam, whose career Green followed before getting the opportunity to compete professionally in the tournament bearing her name.
Grasley asked what Sörenstam has meant to Green as a player she looked up to and what it means to now participate in her event as a professional.
“She holds just about, seems like, every record.”
Green describes Sörenstam as someone players continue to look up to and aspire toward.
The ANNIKA Returns in November
The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican returns to Pelican Golf Club in Belleair Nov. 11-15, with tournament play beginning Nov. 12.
Green is among the early commitments for the 2026 field. For Green, the week will bring another milestone in a season already filled with firsts — this time competing near the place where a major part of her golf journey began.
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Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
Bulls move to 4-1 as Hartline turns attention toward corrections and the week ahead
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — South Florida’s unbeaten start ended Saturday night at Raymond James Stadium as Temple defeated the Bulls 17-13. USF struck first behind a Nico Gramatica field goal but went into halftime trailing 10-3 before finding momentum after the break.
USF responded in the third quarter as D.J. Crowther’s one-yard touchdown tied the game at 10.
USF and Temple battle at the line of scrimmage. Photo Credit: Nisey Spruill / Florida National News
The Bulls’ defense added a key stop when No. 1 C.J. Hicks recovered a Temple fumble in the end zone. Gramatica later connected from 49 yards to give USF a 13-10 fourth-quarter lead. Temple answered with the defining possession of the night, driving 96 yards before quarterback No. 13 Ajani Sheppard scored on a 34-yard run to put the Owls ahead for good.
Temple’s 96-yard fourth-quarter drive became the turning point in the 17-13 finish.
Joshua Porter sprints for catch with Adrian Laing closing in for Temple. Photo Credit: Nisey Spruill / Florida National News
USF was unable to answer late, dropping to 4-1. Following the game, head coach Brian Hartline focused on returning to the film, correcting the mistakes that surfaced and making sure the Bulls use the loss to improve heading into the next week.
FINAL: Temple 17, USF 13
Up Next: USF travels to San Antonio to face UTSA on Thursday night.
– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
Central Florida News
Orange County Announces $28,200 Public Art Opportunity at Tangelo Park Community Center
Florida National News and FNN News en Español will provide on-site coverage of the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at Cranes Roost Park.
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. (FNN) — Hola at the Park will bring Hispanic culture, local businesses and live entertainment to Cranes Roost Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 2 to 6 p.m.
Hosted by the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando and presented by AdventHealth, the event celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month through food, entertainment, entrepreneurship and community connections.
According to the chamber’s event announcement, admission is free, the celebration is open to the community and no registration is required.
FNN to Spotlight Businesses and Community Voices
Florida National News and FNN News en Español, official media sponsors, will be on location covering the festivities.
The FNN team will spotlight chamber representatives, sponsors, participating businesses and community leaders, while sharing attendees’ perspectives throughout the afternoon.
Coverage will highlight the people, businesses and cultural traditions contributing to the celebration.
Photo: Florida National News
Food, Entertainment and Family Activities
The chamber’s announcement lists authentic cuisine, live entertainment, local businesses, wellness experiences, community resources, networking and family-friendly activities among the event’s offerings.
Attendees will have opportunities to explore Hispanic traditions, connect with entrepreneurs and learn about organizations serving Central Florida.
Photo: Florida National News
A Waterfront Setting in Uptown Altamonte
Cranes Roost Park, located in Uptown Altamonte, features a waterfront setting with scenic walkways around Cranes Roost Lake and the Eddie Rose Amphitheater and floating stage.
The park will serve as the gathering place for an afternoon celebrating Hispanic heritage and the connections between culture, business and community.
Event Details
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026
- Time: 2–6 p.m. EDT
- Location: Cranes Roost Park, Altamonte Springs
- Host: Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando
- Presenting sponsor: AdventHealth
- Admission: Free and open to the community
- Registration: Not required
Photo: Florida National News
Vendor Inquiries
For information about vendor opportunities, contact the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando at info@hispanicchamber.com or events@hispanicchamber.com.
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