Tampa Bay Golf News

More than 30 years ago, Hall of Fame golfer Chi Chi Rodriguez and the late Mother Teresa were brought together by then President Marcos of the Phillipines. Mother Teresa asked the famous golfer a question that would change his life and the lives of countless children forever.

"I heard you were a poor boy but now you are a rich man," she said. "What are you doing with that blessing to help the other poor children of the world?” 

Golfsmith and the Legends Tour Open Championship have teamed up to provide LTOC advance ticket buyers with even more value. All of the ticket purchase proceeds for the Legends Tour Open Championship to be held Nov. 20-22, 2009 at Innisbrook’s beautiful Island Course will be donated to the Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute at Ruth Eckerd Hall – and now every ticket purchase will also include a $10 cash card for use at any Golfsmith retailer.

To receive your $10 Golfsmith Cash Card, purchase your LTOC tickets in advance online at www.rutheckerdhall.com, by calling 727.791.7400 or visiting the Ruth Eckerd Hall Ticket Office, open Monday through Saturday from noon to 6 pm at 1111 N. McMullen Booth Road in Clearwater, FL. Cash cards will be included with your ticket mailing. 

CLEARWATER, Fla. – Chi Chi is winging his way from Puerto Rico to help host the finals of The Ross Realty Group “Million Dollar Hole In One Contest” and help celebrate his Academy’s 30th Anniversary during the Chi Chi Charity Classic. 

Qualifying rounds are going to be held every Friday (3pm-6pm) and Saturday (10am-4pm) beginning Oct. 30, 2009 and ending Nov. 14, 2009.  To enter participates pay $10 for two shots and $20 for five shots. The event will be held at the Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf and Family Sports Complex located at 2987 N. McMullen Booth Rd. in Clearwater.

By Rick Bradshaw, PGA Director of Instruction,
Dent/Bradshaw School of Golf General Manager,
Heritage Isles G&CC

The secret to striking the golf ball on the center of the club face can be dramatically enhanced by securing the perimeter, and trusting Sir Isaac Newton. Be assured, securing the perimeter in golf is not a military operation or the hiring of guard dogs to keep intruders off the golf course.

However, it is the secret to maintaining a powerfully consistent swing arc. Trusting Sir Isaac Newton relates to allowing the centrifugal tendency of the club head to pull outward and align itself into the back of the golf ball.

•  The 2nd Annual Children’s Dream Fund Charity Golf Classic is scheduled for an 8:00 a.m. shotgun start on Saturday, Nov. 7 at Plantation Palms Golf Club in Land O’ Lakes. All proceeds benefit children with life-threatening illnesses. Format is 4-person scramble. Entry fee of $95 per player includes golf, cart, tee gifts, range balls, lunch, long drive, putting & closest to pin contests, mystery envelope auction, Masters surprise, 50/50 raffle, special giveaways and “On Course” fun. Sponsorship packages start at $200. For more information, contact Tournament Director Keith Gilkes at (727) 698-0122 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

•  The Chi Chi Charity Classic is set for Sunday and Monday, Nov. 15 - 16. Join Chi Chi for this two-day golf tournament in celebration of Chi Chi’s 30th Anniversary. Sponsorship packages start at $3,000. For more information, contact Mallory Hubbard at (727) 726-8829 x209 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Seminole Lake Country Club offers the best value for your membership dollar as they specialize in “Affordable Golf”. This fully-amenitized semi-private facility features an 18-hole championship golf course, full-service food & beverage operation, Olympic-size pool, men’s and ladies locker rooms, club storage and service that is consistent with the finest country clubs in the Tampa Bay area.

In keeping with this tradition, they are pleased to offer a “No Initiation Fee” winter membership program for the 2009-2010 winter season. These memberships are available from Nov. 1 through April 30th and are available in one-month increments from one to six months. Winter memberships include unlimited use of the golf course, practice facilities, pool, restaurant and all social functions.

Florida’s Largest Golf Show will transform the Florida State Fairgrounds into a unique golfing experience. Show dates are Friday through Sunday, Feb. 26-28, 2010. Golfers will be able to meet the manufacturers, test the latest in golf equipment and learn about new technology that will improve their games, all on Florida’s Largest Indoor Driving Range.

Attendees will be able to take in interactive clinics and seminars by PGA Professionals, as well as participate and win great golf prizes and vacation getaways in exciting golf challenges, including long drive, putting, and closest to the pin contests.

BlackMagic by Blade Runner Golf, Inc. would like to introduce the Spot On Putter, rated the hottest new putter by local PGA professionals. The putter is designed to have the feel of a traditional blade combined with the alignment and stability of a mallet.

Improve confidence and consistency with each and every stroke with the integrated Spot On alignment aid. The face balanced and heel/toe weighted head gives the putter a large sweet spot for greater forgiveness and straighter putts on mis-hits. Achieve the consistency and optimum feel desired on the greens with the precisionmilled grooves.

The Legends Tour, the official senior tour of the LPGA comprised of the greatest female golfers of all time, will play its first major championship at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Nov. 2009.

The Legends Tour Open Championship will be contested on Innisbrook’s Island Course Nov. 20-22. The announcement came at a press conference at Innisbrook that featured Legends Tour CEO Jane Blalock, LPGA Acting Commissioner Marty Evans, Innisbrook owner Sheila C. Johnson and several of the Legends Tour players, including past champion Rosie Jones, Dale Eggeling, Colleen Walker, Renee Powell and Pat Bradley. The Tour has more than 100 members, including nine LPGA and World Golf Hall of Fame members, and its players have more than 600 LPGA Tour victories and 55 major championships among them.

Purchase the perfect holiday gift for that special golfer in your life! Now through Jan. 4, 2010, the Holiday Golf Package is on sale for just $160. Each package includes:

• Two Weekly Badges.
• Two one-day upgrades for the Green-Hopper Party Pass.
• Two rounds of golf at TPC Tampa Bay*.
• Complimentary Bloomin’ Onion Card. *Monday-Thursday, May 3rd through Sept. 23rd, 2010. Player assumes cart fee. Tee times may be made up to two days in advance.