Tampa Bay Golf News

Heritage Golf Group, a San Diego, CA based luxury golf course owner and operator, recently purchased TPC Tampa Bay in Lutz, FL. TPC Tampa Bay is the fifth TPC property to become part of the Heritage Collection as part of a strategic alliance formed in 2007 with the PGA Tour. Previous transactions included TPC Eagle Trace in Coral Springs, FL; TPC Michigan in Dearborn, MI; TPC Piper Glen in Charlotte, NC; and TPC Prestancia in Sarasota, FL. Under the terms of the sales transaction, TPC Tampa Bay will be owned and managed by Heritage Golf Group, but will continue to operate under the TPC brand through a license agreement. 

The Dunes Golf Club, located in the sand hills west of Brooksville, is set to re-open on Sunday, June 1st. This unique Arthur Hills design has been totally renovated to include new Tif-Dwarf Bermuda greens, new cart paths and updated irrigation system.

“The redesign incorporates and expands the natural sand dunes on site to create a Pine Valley-like feel throughout the course,” said PGA Professional Jim Cocchi. “The unique greens designs contain a wide variety of features such as false fronts, dramatic slopes and design designated pin locations.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Some of golf’s most influential leaders and members of the game’s most prominent associations converged on the nation’s capitol to celebrate a bipartisan Congressional resolution which declared April 16, 2008 as National Golf Day.

The golf leaders discussed the game’s impact on society, in particular its role to the U.S. economy.

The golf industry is the sports and entertainment worlds’ largest contributor to our economy, generating $76 billion in direct economic impact according to a recent study, the 2005 Golf Economy Report, commissioned by World Golf Foundation’s GOLF 20/20 initiative completed earlier this year and released at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla.

It would have made great theater to see Tiger Woods pass Arnold Palmer on the PGA TOUR’s list for career wins and have the legend and soon-to-be King of the game exchange pleasantries and barbs at the tournament bearing Palmer’s name. Like many of Woods’ milestones, the record arrived earlier than many thought possible.

However, there was one man who believed the hype surrounding Woods from day one.

“This may be a surprise to all of you,” Palmer told the assembled media at a press conference Wednesday at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. “I anticipated he would pass that record and I can’t see him doing anything but continuing to pass other people’s records in the future.

The PGA TOUR’s Florida Swing had its share of intrigue on the course in 2007 but perhaps the biggest story was the deviation from a schedule that had been in place for 20 seasons.

Change was the norm for all four stops on the swing last year, whether it was a new name, location, sponsor or date on the Tour calendar.

This year the confusion should be alleviated for players and members of the gallery, leaving golf as the main focus once again.

As professional golf makes its long-awaited return to the east coast after stints in Hawaii and California, Florida steps into the spotlight for the better part of the month of March.

Here is a quick look at what to expect, see and do during this year’s edition of PGA’s Florida Swing.

Are Fat Shots, Thin Shots, Hooks and Slices Ruining Your Game?

By Jeff Haney, PGA Teaching Professional

If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. In most cases the problem is a golf swing that has too much lower body movement! When average golfers start with their weight 50/50 and then shift their weight more to the right on the backswing and then to the left on the downswng, they tend to have problems. The problem is they either don’t time the weight shift correctly or they make too much of a weight shift. Then you are told you are swaying or that you are falling back during the downswing. Both of these faults will cause inconsistency. 

Bob Green Airco #13
8/9/07

Bill Patterson Airco #13
10/7/07

Richard Freeman MacDill AFB (N) #5
12/7/07

David C. Johnson MacDill AFB (S) #13
12/8/07

Gary Gilligan Diamond Hill #6
1/2/08

Leo Fiyalko Cove Cay #5
1/10/08

Today’s Tip: Show me your plan!

(This is a first in a series on charity golf tournament tips from a Professional)
OK your charity/service group/chamber of commerce/association/youth league organization/dance squad/school activity club/booster club/retirement community activity league etc., etc., etc., has decided to stage a golf tournament. You want to raise some needed money for your group’s use or to donate for a worthwhile cause in the community!

You have exactly one minute to ask a Golf Tournament Manager and Sponsorship Consultant like me for FREE advice as to the steps to run a successful golf tournament fund raiser, but you only have one minute of my time to catch my attention and convince me to help you... I then ask you to SHOW ME YOUR WRITTEN PLAN... do you have one???? 

Jan Johnson has assumed the duties as Director of Golf at The Groves Golf and Country Club in Land O’ Lakes. A resident of Pasco County for over 25 years, Jan is an LPGA Master Professional and PGA member. Ms. Johnson built and has operated the Jan Johnson Golf Academy in Hudson since 1995. She has an extensive playing and teaching background. Jan offers an excellent instruction program for all ages and skill levels at the Groves. For more information, call (813) 996-0161.

Robert Scott, a Senior Master Professional, has joined the teaching staff at Countryside Golf Practice & Learning Center in Countryside. From the 1970’s until two years ago, Robert taught in Southern California at Pebble Beach and the south Orange County area. He has studied the golf swing intensively for over 35 years. To contact Robert, call (727) 726-8481.

The Indoor Golf Center, located on County Line Road in Hudson, is now offering VIP (Very Important Player) Memberships.

Benefits include:

- FREE use of training aids;
- 10% OFF the MSRP on all clubs, bags, balls, accessories, apparel and footwear;
- 15% OFF all custom clubs, repairs & regrips;
- EXCLUSIVE new product demo days, golf & poker tournaments, cigar & wine tasting events and membership to the Highlands Golf Club "Members Only" Player's stall, lounge w/big screen projector TV & card tables;
- ONE FREE sleeve of premium golf balls, premium cigar & 30-minute video swing analysis monthly.