Tampa/Bradenton, FL

[PCCraig]

Question for the group...


Looking like I'll be in the general Tampa area in early March. Was planning on taking a couple of clients out for a round someplace.


I'm a year too early otherwise I'd be at the new World Woods/Citrus Farms!


Any recommendations?

[Wayne_Kozun]

I have played TPC Tampa and both courses at Lake Jovita.  They are all pretty good, maybe Doak 4s.  Lake Jovita has more elevation changes than you typically get in Florida, but it is a bit north of Tampa.

[Kyle Harris]

Conditions are likely so-so but it has the best bunkerless 650 yard Par 5 I've ever seen.

Diamond Hill in Dover, FL.

TRUST ME. DO IT.

[Ian Mackenzie]

Pat - this topic has been covered here before...p-)


No World Woods, then Innisbrook.


No Innisbrook, then just make the drive to Streamsong.


Can you access Old Memorial?

[Wayne_Kozun]

I think you have to stay at Innisbrook to get a tee time.

[PCCraig]

Pat - this topic has been covered here before...p-)


No World Woods, then Innisbrook.


No Innisbrook, then just make the drive to Streamsong.


Can you access Old Memorial?

I know! But things change so I thought I would ask.


Streamsong would be great but not sure about a 3 hour round trip drive if you just wanted to play one round with clients?


I wasn't sure if there was a good option closer into town that I was overlooking.


Not sure about Old Memorial or if it would be amenable to unaccompanied play but perhaps that's a good option.

[Ian Mackenzie]

In general, Florida "public access" golf is crap.
For a state that large, there just isnt much fantastic golf as it is 95% reliant around housing developments.


Go to Top Golf then Mons Venus for a better time...;-)

[Stewart Abramson]

I have played TPC Tampa and both courses at Lake Jovita.  They are all pretty good, maybe Doak 4s.  Lake Jovita has more elevation changes than you typically get in Florida, but it is a bit north of Tampa.

Links to Lake Jovita course photos.


https://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/albums/72157643041932953 - Lake Jovita South Course


https://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/albums/72157643104557083 - Lake Jovita North Course

[John_Cullum]

Try to get on Avila. Avila has plenty of members with business connections that you could likely find in an available network

[V_Halyard]

Per my recent post, Belleair is worth your visit.

[SPDB]

I think this depends on whether you're in Tampa or Bradenton. If you can access, Belleaire if you're in Tampa and Sara Bay if you're in Bradenton.

[Adam Lawrence]

I enjoyed Brandon Johnson's then new course at Lakewood National when I saw it in 2017. It's a real estate development, though there weren't any houses when I saw it, but it was still interesting. There's a second course there now, also by Brandon.

[Ted Sturges]

Pat,


I would also consider Dunedin Golf Club in Dunedin  (15 miles north of St. Pete).  It is an old Ross that for many years was the home to the PGA of America.  Literally all of golf's greats have played there at some point in time.  I'm always hopeful that someone will come along and restore it, but the Ross bones are there.  It is a fun experience.


TS

[Rob Marshall]

Pat,


I would also consider Dunedin Golf Club in Dunedin  (15 miles north of St. Pete).  It is an old Ross that for many years was the home to the PGA of America.  Literally all of golf's greats have played there at some point in time.  I'm always hopeful that someone will come along and restore it, but the Ross bones are there.  It is a fun experience.


TS

I agree but boy was it in awful shape in October. A lot of weeds in the greens. First 4 holes make for a tough start.

[Stewart Abramson]

I enjoyed Brandon Johnson's then new course at Lakewood National when I saw it in 2017. It's a real estate development, though there weren't any houses when I saw it, but it was still interesting. There's a second course there now, also by Brandon.

I  think Lakewood National recently went private and may no longer accept non-member play

[Brian Ross]

Pat,

I would also consider Dunedin Golf Club in Dunedin  (15 miles north of St. Pete).  It is an old Ross that for many years was the home to the PGA of America.  Literally all of golf's greats have played there at some point in time.  I'm always hopeful that someone will come along and restore it, but the Ross bones are there.  It is a fun experience.

TS

You may get your wish. I believe Kris Spence is planning to do some work at Dunedin next year.

[Rob Marshall]

Pat,

I would also consider Dunedin Golf Club in Dunedin  (15 miles north of St. Pete).  It is an old Ross that for many years was the home to the PGA of America.  Literally all of golf's greats have played there at some point in time.  I'm always hopeful that someone will come along and restore it, but the Ross bones are there.  It is a fun experience.

TS

You may get your wish. I believe Kris Spence is planning to do some work at Dunedin next year.

I thought thought it was a done deal

[Connor Lewis]

Tampa is a bit of a golf desert I am afraid. If the timing works I can host you at Belleair CC. I believe Dunedin goes under the knife in February of this year. I am going to document some of that restorative effort by Kris Spence.


I am hypercritical of the golf in the area- one spot worthy of seeing that would make a great future restoration is Temple Terrace. The story of the design of TT is pretty cool. I often say that it could be the Winter Park 9 of Tampa with 18 holes and 2-3 times the width. It’s a Tom Bendelow and IMHO one of his better designs. It’s first head pro was Long Jim Barnes and was a frequent haunt of Walter Hagen, Babe Ruth, Gene Sarazen and the like. I haven’t played it this year but just to see the bones is worth it.