One Saturday to play golf in Tampa

[Mike Tanner]

I'll be in Tampa the first weekend in February to attend my nephew's wedding. With time for only one round (and needing to rent clubs -- not willing to drag mine from Virginia to Florida for just one round -- what are the course options? I know there are Donald Ross courses at Bellview Biltmore and Dunedin, any others of architectural interest in the area?
Mike T.

[Jeff_Brauer]

Mark,

I have played both of the Ross deals you mention. Not bad and worth a trip.  Frankly, my tastes run to Fazio's World Woods (Pine Barrens) or Smyers course north of town.  Damn, someone will have to remind me of its name. Its private, so you would need some help anyway.

TPC Tampa not terrible, but not first choice.  Innisbrook is still a classic, IMHO, and they use effluent, so it will be green. Copperhead the best of the three.

[Dean Paolucci]

Old Memorial - The Outback Steak Club.  It is wonderful!

[Jeff_Brauer]

Thanks!  It is wonderful.  I thank Steve for articulating what I was saying/stealing on the difficulty vs. variety thread - his architecture excels at encouraging a variety of shots rather than punishing wayward shots, although with the numbers of bunkers he uses, his courses can do that, too!

[Dean Paolucci]

I understand Black Diamond Ranch is spectacular as well.

[Steve_Lovett]

World Woods and Innisbrook Copperhead would be #1 and #2 for courses that are public access.  World Woods is maybe 45 minutes north of Tampa, and Innisbrook is maybe 25 minutes northwest.

If you have a way on, many love Old Memorial.  Palma Ceia is a traditional classic club in south Tampa.

Lake Jovita is private, I believe, and is very good - maybe 30 minutes north of Tampa.

[Tom Roewer]

Mike- Where will you be staying?  I can help you with clubs from my course and maybe the most convenient "best play"  IM me.

[J Sadowsky]

My father has played Black Diamond Ranch and recommends it highly.  It's private, so you'll need some help.

From people I've played with, I've heard nothing but good things about Innisbrook.

[Mike Tanner]

Thanks all for your suggestions. Jeff B. -- I'm leaning to the Ross courses. Any more insight regarding their relative merits in terms of state of preservation and conditioning? World Woods is tempting, but may be geographically undesirable. I'm leary about the travel time from downtown to Brookville, golf and back again in time for the wedding. Steve -- I'd forgotten about Copperhead at Innisbrook, that may be a contender too.  
Mike T.

[Kyle Harris]

Depending on the bridges, you may find the time between downtown Tampa and Dunedin/Innisbrook to be similar to that of Brooksville.

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