10/04/2026
⛳ On National Golf Lovers Day, we’re looking back at a golf legend who helped shape the game’s early history on Marco Island—“Champagne Tony” Lema.
Known for his charisma and celebratory spirit, Lema became the first golf professional at the Marco Island Country Club (now Island Country Club) in 1965. His time here was brief, but his place in island history endures.
Tragically, Tony and his wife, Betty, died in a plane crash near Lansing, Illinois, on July 24, 1966. He was just 32 years old and at the height of a remarkable career.
To honor his friend’s legacy, golf legend Gene Sarazen organized the first Tony Lema Memorial Tournament at the club on February 27, 1967. More than 3,000 fans gathered to watch 31 professional golfers and 93 amateurs and celebrities take to the course. The tournament became an annual tradition that continued through 1980, bringing golfers, celebrities, and spectators from across the country to Marco Island.
Today, even an alley on the island bears Tony Lema’s name—a small reminder of his lasting connection to our community and its golfing heritage.
Do you have memories of the Tony Lema Memorial Tournament or the early days of golf on Marco Island? We’d love to hear them! 💬
📸 Tony Lema, at the Marco Island Country Club’s grand opening in February 1966. Lema joined Gene Sarazen, Senator George Smathers, and Frank Mackle, Jr., in the “dedication foursome” that officially launched play on the course. MIHS 2025-02-076.
