Tampa Bay Golf News

We’ve all heard of the K.I.S.S. Theory (Keep It Simple Stupid) and boy oh boy, does it ever apply to the golf swing. Over the years, I’ve seen the most interesting golf swings… self taught, family taught, friend taught, book or magazine taught and yes, even TV taught.

Few of these “taught” swings can hold up to everyday recreational golf and even less to competitive golf for this simple reason…most never achieved fundamental swing “foundations”. 

When it comes to any basic movement the body has to perform, instruction is the key ingredient. Have you ever heard anyone speak well without having learned their A,B,C’s? 

Tournaments:

• The Friends of Matt Golf Classic will be held at the Crescent Oaks Country Club in Tarpon Springs on Sunday, October 5th. Registration starts at 11:30 a.m. with a 1:00 p.m. shotgun start. The field will be limited to 144 players. Each player will receive a foursome of golf (excluding cart fees), a cruise for two on Horizons Edge and a free wedge from Razor Golf. Raffle items, silent and live auction including a Masters Watch. Please contact Bill Gilkes at 727-799-2397 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   for sponsor and player information. 

Y our most important tool for flexibility is your golf club. It is always with you as you swing, measure, eye or putt. Here are just a few movements you can do with a club to help increase your flexibility and allow your golf game to be fun and injury free.

What can you do with a club besides lean on it or swing it? You can do a few sets of concentrated biceps curls to build muscle and reduce distress. Triceps overhead presses with a stretch between sets will allow you to FLOW with precision as your club becomes one with the golf ball. Another GREAT TIP is to EXHALE when you hit the ball. Too many folks hold their breath, and most never think of how they are breathing. 

Karim Oliver, an 11-year-old participant of The First Tee of St. Petersburg, has received the first annual Trustees Scholar Award to attend Shorecrest Preparatory School next year through graduation. Karim, who will enter 6th grade at Shorecrest next year, received the award after his nomination by his First Tee of St. Petersburg coach, Rick Waltman, and after getting high marks on a standardized test, essay, and personal interview by Shorecrest administrators.

The Shorecrest Trustee Scholar Award is based on exceptional academic talent and financial need of its recipients. The value of the award in Karim’s case is about $100,000 and is funded anonymously.

The PGA Tour will remain in Tampa Bay thanks to a new sponsorship agreement with Transitions Optical Inc. of Pinellas Park. It’s a four-year deal at about $7 million per year. The tournament will remain part of the Florida Swing but will now be the third tournament in the state and run March 16-22, 2009 on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club.

The tournament will be called the Transitions Optical Championship. It’s the fifth name since the tournament became a PGA Tour event in 2000. [excerpted from the St. Petersburg Times, Tuesday, June 3, 2008.] 

Golf can be a good investment for the health, according to a new study from Karolinska Institutet. The death rate for golfers is 40 per cent lower than for other people of the same sex, age and socioeconomic status, which correspond to a 5 year increase in life expectancy. Golfers with a low handicap are the safest.

It is a well-known fact that exercise is good for the health, but the expected health gains of particular activities are still largely unknown. A team of researchers from Karolinska Institutet has now presented a study of the health effects of golf – a low-intensity form of exercise in which over 600,000 Swedes engage. 

Florida’s Largest Golf Show will transform the Tampa Convention Center into a unique golfing experience March 20-22, 2009. Golfers will be able to meet golf equipment manufacturers; test the latest equipment; and learn about new technology that will improve their games...all on Florida’s Largest Indoor Driving Range.

Attendees will also 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-tothe-pin contests. 

TAMPA BAY, Fla. - Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club is reaching out to families this summer with tremendous values on their spacious, condo-style suites, and the opening of a new 9-hole family walking course. In partnership with Nike, the Fox Squirrel family walking course was created for all ages - no golf skills required.

This 9-hole, par 32, 850 yard walking course, will open at 4 p.m. each afternoon (beginning Memorial Day Weekend) at no charge to resort guests, providing the perfect option to get the whole family together to relax and enjoy the great summer weather. Guests can also play miniature golf, take daily golf and tennis clinics (junior clinics are offered as well as adult) and sharpen their putting skills on a 9-hole natural grass putting course. This new family recreation area also offers shuffleboard, basketball and beach volleyball and all of these activities are offered at no charge. 

Spring Hill, Fla. - Over $2500.00 was raised for Lea’s Prayers and Postage at The Dunes Golf Club Re-Grand Opening this past Friday and Saturday according to Steve LaFalce, Owner and PGTAA Master Teaching Professional of To You Golf Instruction (2UGI), who participated with the event.

“What a fantastic last couple of days," said LaFalce. "We had over 1000 people come out and view the recently redone Arthur Hills design Dunes course (scheduled for play after June 1), enjoyed hot dogs and refreshments with many participating with the “Closest to the Pin” contest and personal swing video analysis. We video taped over 100 swings, so I have a lot of analysis e-mails to do over the next couple of days.  But at $5.00 donation per video, it will be well worth the effort.”

After a highly successful debut in 2007, the PGA McGladrey Team Championship is ready to begin anew.

The PGA McGladrey Team Championship is your chance to do what few can boast in their golf careers - to be part of a national championship.

The championship is the result of a partnership between The PGa American and RSM MCGladrey, the Official Accounting, Tax and Business Consulting Firm of The PGA of America.