New Longboat Key Club champion crowned for first time in decades

Brenda Baril is the newest Ladies' Club champion at the Longboat Key Club. Arlene McKitrick has won the tournament the past 40 years. The tournament started on Feb. 13 and ended on Feb. 20. 

“I love when everything comes together at the right time, and that's the best part,” said Baril. “I've played so many tournaments in the last two weeks. It was crazy. My game just kind of came together and I played well."

Director of Golf at the Longboat Key Club Terry O’Hara said this is a monumental moment in Key Club History.

“She is the newest winner in 40 years,” said O’Hara. “She really works hard so we are proud of her and can’t wait to see what she continues to do in the world of golf." 

Photo by Sidra Wali

Baril said she has played in the tournament for the past couple of years. Learning from her experience from previous tournaments, her strategy changed a bit this year.

“Last year, I lost by a stroke because I did not play very smartly,” said Baril. “So my game plan this year was to just play smart. One of my friends who I play with, her words of wisdom are that every shot has to be smart. You don't have to score great throughout. You'll be fine as long as you play smart.”

Baril has been a part of the Key Club since 2019. She said that she was more into tennis then but when she started getting into golf, she brought a lot of her tennis friends with her. She now is part of three golf teams and two tennis teams at the club.

Baril said she is thankful for all the support she has gotten from her friends at the Club and her loved ones.

“I like competitive play no matter what it is, but I like to have fun at it,” said Baril. "Golf is all about people and the friends that you make and they carry on outside of the game. That's the most important thing now that I'm older. It's just all about having fun and being out there with your friends. The best part is also my husband, he's so awesome. He is my biggest supporter.”