Tampa Bay Golf News

At Golf Etc. Lakeland you’ll find everything you need to improve your golf game. From name brand equipment, to a full bag analysis, to the latest in golf fashion, Golf Etc. has what you need to play and look your best.

Using state-of-the-art technology, their Fitting Pros will fit you to your clubs. Any driver, fairway wood, hybrid, iron, wedge, or putter can be custom fitted.

The much ballyhooed TPC Sawgrass, headquarters of the PGA Tour and home of the Tour's richest tournament, The Players Championship, will be one of the two courses to host this year's Florida State Golf Association's Amateur Championship, June 25-28.

Sawgrass Country Club will share hosting duties. Sawgrass CC was designed by Ed Seay of Arnold Palmer Course Design.

Golfweek magazine recently kicked off its new Golfweek's Junior Series in Tampa, Fla., with Brandon Liu, 16, and Ericka Schneider, 17, both from Bradenton, Fla., taking the top spots at the event.

The tournament was the first of four qualifiers in the series, which offers a new generation of rising talent from across the country the chance to compete against their peers in Golfweek-ranked events.

On the golf course, a few feet can be the difference between finding a hazard and landing in a safe spot with a good angle to attack the pin, and club selection is often an integral component in reducing distances to the cup if you're able to find the putting surface.

GreenFinder Golf GPS , a system that utilizes already-exisiting global positioning systems on your iPhone or Blackberry to calculate the distance from the golfer to various targets on the course, is a simple, convenient and affordable way to improve your golf game by having the right club in your hand and the information necessary to make the right play.

TAMPA BAY, Fla., March 16, 2009 – The Transitions Championship kicks off today and runs through this Sunday at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club’s Copperhead Course. This is the first tournament of Transitions Optical’s four-year PGA TOUR title sponsorship pairing competition of the world’s finest players with an exciting seven-day consumer experience – demonstrating the connection between healthy sight and optimal sports performance and its role as part of an overall healthy lifestyle.

I am honored to have been elected to represent the golf professionals in the West Central Chapter of the North Florida Section of the PGA. It won’t be easy to follow in the footsteps of some great past presidents; however, with a very dedicated executive board and a goal of helping local charities, I feel we can make this upcoming year a successful one.

Several good things have already been accomplished. We are launching our Past Presidents Club, a new program that will meet periodically over the next year. Embracing those who have directed us over the years can be a great source of knowledge to tap into. There is always a lot to learn from embracing the past.

BigGolfDiscounts.com recently announced that their new gift center is now open. Now you can send the gift of Golf Savings by purchasing a BGD gift membership for anyone...for any occasion! The new gift center is simple to use and offers a variety of occasions, including Birthdays, Valentine’s Day, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Holidays, and any occasion selections.

Eagle Ridge Golf Center, formerly Ridge Road driving range, is now open under new ownership. Owners Dan and Donna Boschelli offer customers a golf course like setting with new synthetic mats, a natural turf hitting area and a much improved environment and attitude to practice your game.

Club repair, custom fitting and clinics for both adults and youth are also offered. Future plans include covered tees and a putting/chipping area. Eagle Ridge golf center is located on Ridge Rd., onehalf mile east of Little Rd. in New Port Richey. Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

UltraMatch Golf is an innovative new golf league designed for busy people who enjoy the challenge of competitive golf. UltraMatch Golf is about competition, excitement, and performing at your best when it counts most. You will experience all the excitement of new friendships, adrenaline highs, and the exhilaration from playing competitive golf. League details:

• Competition: Play the best golfers in your area, at your skill level.
• Flexibility: UltraMatch Golf creates your schedule; you control the day and time. You even chose your home course.
• No Handicap Required. A verifiable handicap division is offered, but there’s also a competitive league if you don’t have a handicap. Simply enter your last three scores from an 18-hole course into UltraMatch Golf’s handicap calculator and you will be placed in the appropriate flight.
  

Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club, located in Palm Harbor, has named Rodney Green as its new director of golf. Green will oversee all golf operations at Innisbrook, including daily oversight of all four of the resort’s championship golf courses, merchandising for three golf shops, golf instruction, operating and capital budgets, staffing, and the Transitions Championship, to be held March 16-22, 2009 on the Copperhead Course. Green replaces longtime Director of Golf Jay Overton, who is now the resort’s host professional.

A 19-year veteran of the golf industry, Green has spent the last 11 years working in Orlando for the Walt Disney World Company, most recently as head golf professional and director of instruction for Disney’s two premier championship golf courses.