Tampa Bay, Fl Golfers Guide Featured Course Stories

The Golf Club at Cypress Creek, located in Ruskin just west of Sun City Center, underwent extensive renovations during the summer and early fall of 2007. It is now in fantastic condition. The course, which originally opened for play in January 1989, was a creative collaboration between the late Dean Refram, a former PGA Tour player, and renowned golf course architect Steve Smyers.

The Golf Club at Cypress Creek was built within and around a beautiful 640-acre nature preserve with a minimal amount of earthmoving. “We just tried to fit the holes into the ground instead of on top of it,” said Refram when the course opened.

Improvements to the golf course include all new TifDwarf Bermuda greens. During renovations several greens were enlarged, four greens were rebuilt (#4, 6, 13 and 18) and slopes were altered on many of the putting surfaces. Tee boxes were rebuilt using Celebration Bermuda. The goal was to restore the course’s original design integrity.

The Champions Tour Returns to TPC Tampa Bay

The 2007 Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am was a tournament full of firsts for the state of Florida.

After 93 professional events in Florida, Tom Watson captured his first PGA TOUR/Champions Tour victory at the 2007 Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am. Watson ended his winless drought with a 1-under 70 for a one-stroke margin over Jay Haas and Andy Bean.

The gusty winds and cold weather conditions did not stop Watson. Actually, it made him feel right at home. His experience playing in challenging weather paid off.

“Growing up in Kansas City and playing golf with those crazy guys that like to get out there in the cold weather you start to get used to it,” Tom Watson said regarding playing in such tough weather conditions.

Along with Watson’s win was another first at the 2007 event. After 14 years of playing together in Pro-Am tournaments, actor/comedian Bill Murray and Champions Tour professional Scott Simpson won their first-ever Pro-Am tournament walking away with the Amateur Division win.

Situated on a 22-acre bluff overlooking the crystal waters of Clearwater Bay, the Belleview Biltmore, built in 1897 by the railroad tycoon Henry Plant, sits in a private waterside enclave in the Belleair community of Clearwater, Florida. The Belleview Biltmore is a full-service resort that includes the Belleview Biltmore Golf Club – an 18-hole PGA Donald Ross designed course – the Belleview Biltmore Tennis Club, Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa and the Belleview Biltmore Beach Club on Sand Key.

For more than a century, the Belleview Biltmore Resort has bestowed Southern hospitality and unparalleled elegance to an impressive guest list. British royalty, heads of state, movie stars and professional athletes have all heralded the resort’s distinctive charm. With a fascinating history laced with social prominence and a remarkable revitalization, the Belleview Biltmore Resort holds a rightful position on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the Belleview Biltmore unites historic charm with contemporary amenities to bring guests an experience that is simply beyond compare.