Babe Zaharias Golf Course

After Extensive Renovations, “The Babe” Looks – and Plays – Like a Million Dollars

Babe Zaharias Golf Course, one of the Tampa Sports Authority’s exceptional trio of municipal layouts, has undergone a dazzling $1.9 million facelift. The course reopened late last fall after six months of renovations to the delight of its long-time regulars.

The renovations started with the greens complexes and worked back to the tees. All eighteen greens have been reshaped and rebuilt to USGA specifications. The new Tifdwarf Bermudagrass putting surfaces are now a pleasure to putt. The course’s outdated irrigation system was replaced, including all new pipes and sprinkler heads.

Fairway and greenside bunkers have been renovated as well. A few bunkers were added and a few removed. The new bright, white sand is easy to see but tough to avoid as you navigate the course.

Tee boxes were widened and leveled. Seventeen holes had tee boxes either lengthened or had a new tee box added. All 18 holes now offer four sets of tees. Cart paths – as well as the parking lot – have been resurfaced. Trees throughout the course were trimmed. Bollards have been installed around the course’s perimeter to protect the renovations.

The clubhouse was updated as well. Carpeting and furniture were replaced to increase the comfort and quality of the clubhouse and its interior and exterior walls have been freshly painted.

George Zaharias bought the course for his wife, Babe Didrickson Zaharias in the early 50’s. George eventually sold the course after The Babe, recognized as the greatest female athlete of the first half of the twentieth century, died of cancer in 1956.

“The Babe”, as the course is now affectionately known, winds its way through the Forest Hills neighborhood of North Tampa, just 20 minutes from downtown. Virtually every fairway is tree-lined with out of bounds both left and right. The par-70, 6,020-yard layout may appear to be a pushover on paper, but it packs plenty of clout, especially the back nine.

The front nine features an interesting assortment of holes that require more accuracy than power. The back nine is where The Babe bears her teeth. Three par-4s measure well over 400 yards; another falls just short at 398 yards. You still must be accurate, but distance off the tee is paramount if you want to score well on this nine.

“The Babe is enjoyable for the low handicapper as well as for seniors and beginners,” said PGA Head Golf Professional Kennie Sims. “Its features are challenging, yet user-friendly.”

The Tampa Sports Authority Annual Discount Card is available to Florida and Hillsborough County residents. Once a golfer purchases a “TSA Card”, he is entitled to discounted rates at all three Tampa Sports Authority courses throughout the year. TSA course memberships are also available.

To book a tee time up to 14 days in advance, call the pro shop at (813) 631-4374. For more information regarding the TSA Discount Card or memberships, visit www.BabeZahariasGC.com.