Central Florida News

Wake Forest All-American Macy Pate Earns Sponsor Invitation to 2026 ANNIKA LPGA Event

Published

3 weeks ago

September 15, 2026

Wake Forest senior Macy Pate will make her LPGA Tour debut Nov. 9-15 at Pelican Golf Club after the Demon Deacons captured their fourth ANNIKA Intercollegiate team title.

BELLEAIR, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — Wake Forest senior All-American Macy Pate will make her LPGA Tour competition debut this November after receiving a sponsor invitation to The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican.

Pate will compete against an LPGA Tour field Nov. 9-15 at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, following Wake Forest’s victory at the 2026 ANNIKA Intercollegiate presented by 3M.

The Demon Deacons won the collegiate tournament by 10 strokes, securing their first team victory of the 2026-27 season and fourth ANNIKA Intercollegiate championship.

As part of the victory, Wake Forest received the opportunity to select one player for a sponsor invitation into The ANNIKA. Head coach Kim Lewellen selected Pate after a unanimous vote by the team and coaches.

Pate tied for fifth at the collegiate event, finishing at 2-under par.

Pate Set for First LPGA Tour Start

“We are excited for the opportunity for Macy to play her first LPGA Tour event at The ANNIKA in November,” Lewellen said. “It was unanimous that Macy would take this honor. She has been a wonderful representative for Wake Forest golf and athletics.”

Tournament host and World Golf and LPGA Hall of Fame member Annika Sörenstam also welcomed Pate to the field.

“We are very excited to have Macy compete at The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican,” Sörenstam said. “She is a leader at Wake Forest and one of the top-ranked college players in the country.”

Sörenstam added that seeing Pate make her LPGA Tour debut at The ANNIKA would make the opportunity particularly special.

Decorated Career at Wake Forest

Pate enters her fourth year at Wake Forest as a preseason All-American.

She earned her first collegiate victory during her junior season at the Jackson T. Stephens Cup and finished the season ranked No. 21 in the NCAA Scoreboard/Clippd Women’s Golf Rankings.

Pate is also a two-time Augusta National Women’s Amateur participant and three-time All-ACC selection.

Her success began well before college. Pate was named Carolinas Player of the Year in 2021 and 2022 and holds the North Carolina high school record for lowest round with a 57.

“I’m so incredibly excited for this opportunity,” Pate said. “Annika is one of my idols, and it has been my dream to compete on the LPGA Tour.”

The ANNIKA Returns to Tampa Bay

The ANNIKA is scheduled for Nov. 9-15 at Pelican Golf Club and will serve as the penultimate tournament on the 2026 LPGA Tour schedule.

The tournament will feature a $3.25 million purse, one of the largest on the LPGA Tour outside the major championships. Tournament proceeds benefit the ANNIKA Foundation.

Pate continues a recent tradition of collegiate players earning sponsor invitations through the ANNIKA Intercollegiate. South Carolina’s Louise Rydqvist received invitations in 2023 and 2024, followed by Wake Forest’s Anne-Sterre den Dunnen in 2025.

Championship Pedigree at Pelican

The tournament has attracted some of women’s golf’s biggest names.

Linn Grant captured the 2025 title at 19-under par, winning by three strokes. Nelly Korda is a three-time tournament champion, winning in 2021, 2022 and 2024.

Lilia Vu won in 2023, while Sei Young Kim captured the inaugural tournament in 2020.

Pate will now have an opportunity to test her game on the same stage as the world’s leading professional golfers — and do so for the first time at a tournament hosted by one of her idols.

For tournament and ticket information, visit The ANNIKA official website.

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Central Florida News

Temple Hands USF First Loss, 17-13

Published

2 days ago

October 4, 2026

NISEY LOU S.

Cameron Seldon races toward the sideline as Temple defenders force him out of bounds. Photo Credit: Nisey Spruill / Florida National News

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

Published

4 days ago

October 2, 2026

FNN NEWS

Artists and artist teams invited to submit qualifications for artwork at the renovated center in Orlando’s historically Black Tangelo Park community

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — The Orange County Public Art Review Board is seeking artists or artist teams to develop artwork for the newly renovated Tangelo Park Community Center, according to a public art call announcing a $28,200 commission budget.

The request for qualifications invites participation from one or more artists or artist teams. Applications must be submitted through CaFÉ by 11:59 p.m. EST on Nov. 4, 2026, according to the announcement.

Art Opportunity in a Historically Black Community

The announcement describes Tangelo Park as a historically Black community with a proud heritage. The artwork will be developed for a community center designed to bring residents of different generations together through social services, recreation and community activities.

The center sits within a midcentury modern neighborhood next to Tangelo Park Elementary School and an adjoining outdoor recreation center.

Renovated Center Expands Community Space

According to the announcement, the renovated community center features a multipurpose meeting space, classrooms, a computer lab and offices. The site also includes an indoor gymnasium, an outdoor pool and solar gazebos available for community use.

The center’s primary purpose is to support county social service programs and recreational activities. Its spaces are also intended to accommodate family programs, community gatherings, art exhibitions, festivals and other events.

The announcement describes the facility as a welcoming extension of home, where individuals and families can gather safely and comfortably.

Application Details

The public art call lists the following information:

Project: Tangelo Park Community Center public artwork.
Location: Orlando, Florida.
Seeking: One or more artists or artist teams.
Commission budget: $28,200.
Application platform: CaFÉ.
Deadline: Nov. 4, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Artists interested in the commission should consult the complete CaFÉ listing for submission requirements and additional project details.

Business

Hola at the Park Set for Oct. 3 in Altamonte Springs; Admission Free

Published

5 days ago

October 1, 2026

FNN NEWS

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.