Tampa

Accommodations:

Residence Inn by Marriott

Location:

TPC Tampa Bay
The annual host course of the GTE Suncoast Classic, a Senior PGA Tour event. This Bobby Weed design, ranked 6th best course in the state, weaves through 14 lakes, 83 bunkers and protected cypress wetlands and features well-mounded fairways and undulating large greens. Water hazards come into play on fifteen holes, so be sure to bring plenty of extra balls. Hole #1, a 395-yard par 4, tempts the golfer to bend the ball back to the right for a clear shot at a green that can't be seen from the tee. If you play the shot, you in the trees for a guaranteed bogey or double. What a way to start! The back nine is the most challenging part of the course, just ask Isao Aoki who shot a 45 in the ’96 tournament, which opened the door for eventual winner Jack Nicklaus.


Bloomingdale Golfers Club
The course is located minutes from the hotel. Designed by Ron Garl in 1983 on 220 acres of natural Florida marshland that affords many stunning views. Water comes into play on 13 holes (check out the alligators) and the greens are extremely fast and difficult to read. One of the U.S. Open qualifier rounds is held here annually. One of Golf Digest's voters called this course, "The workingman's Augusta National". Decide for yourself.
 

Walden Lake, Hills Course
I'm not sure why they call it the Hills Course. It's not hilly, but it is a tree-lined track with a tight back nine and like its sister course it has plenty of water coming into play. It’s a shot-maker’s course that can yield a low round as long as you keep the ball in play. This Bob Cupp and Jay Morrish design is 6610 yards long with a slope of 131 and the greens are large, elevated and contoured. Number 14 is a cute little par 3 measuring a mere 127 yards, but water in front and tree in the back you realize there is no measure for error. That advantage of this par 3 because the other one, #17 is 200 yard long with water and sand galore.

Walden Lake, Lakes Course
This track is a memorable experience because of all the water hazards coming into play and the numerous dogleg fairways. Ron Garl originally designed the course and is more wide-open with lush fairways and large, easy to hit green. Except #7, a 524-yard par 5 that has a lake protecting the entire left side of this dogleg left hole. A good sized beach protects the green from an assault of two-shot wonders. Jack Nicklaus has recently redesigned the back nine and it has more bite and challenge to it. #17 is a typical Nicklaus challenge with 499 yards for this par 5. If you drive it too long, then you're in the water and if you try to go for the green in two, you have water protecting the putting surface with traps in the back.

The Eagles, Forest Course
The newest of the courses with design by committee. Gary Koch and master architect Rick Robbins are responsible for the front nine and Ron Garl designed the back nine. Accuracy is a premium on this course with its highly contoured fairways and well placed, meticulous greens. This course measures 6,700 yards and features the signature island green, par 3 sixth hole. The third hole is a fun hole. This short par 4 invites eagles and double eagles. it is reachable from the tee with a well-place long drive. The back nine features challenging and beautiful holes. The 13th hole is dubbed, "Lake Michigan" because of the large lake guarding the green.

The Eagles, Lakes Course
An abundance of water inspired the moniker for this course. Water comes into play on virtually every hole. This Ron Garl-Designed track measures 7,100 yards and is more like a traditional Florida course with huge greens and generous driving areas. Both nines start out with unique par 5's. When the St Petersburg Times canvassed several dozen Tampa area golf courses to put together a Tampa Bay "Dream 18", two holes from this course were selected.

River Hills Country Club
This course has a countryside atmosphere and is very picturesque. You'll find winding and rolling fairways with generous landing areas. The greens are large, fast and well bunkered. Water comes in to play on sixteen holes. The back nine is surrounded by natural marsh, wetlands and woodlands. The signature holes is #14, a 199-yard, par 3 that requires a tee shot over a natural reserve. That means if your short, don't even bother looking for your ball. The course was built in 1988 and designed by Joe Lee and is also a certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.