Conference 7.286::golf

	Actually I don't know anything about Tampa courses but was interested
	in your comment about Innisbrook.   We are going there with friends
	the end of April.  I am interested in your comments about the course
	or the area.

	The Golf Digest Annual issue always has a list of courses by state
	that you may play.  I will try to see what they say about the Tampa
	area tonight.

	Larry

     I have three friends that work at Innisbrook - our pro at Crumpin-Fox,
    Ron Beck, and two of his Assistants - John Demko and Archie Cart.
    It is supposed to be one of the premier teaching facilities in the
    country, and the "Copperhead" course was at one time thought to
    be one of the two or three best in Fla.
     All of the guys I know, except John, will be gone by that time;
    however, if you run into him tell him I said "beat it!" He'll know
    all the local hot spots and is a great kid!
     One of their other courses is also rated one of the best in Fla.
    In short, you're in for an unbelievable vacation!
    
    --Jack (the Skoal Bandit) Varley

    I PLAY IN OTTAWA CANADA AND EVERY NOVEMBER THE MAJORITY OF THE LOCAL
    CPGA CLUB PROS GATHER THREE AMATEURS AND WE HEAD OFF TO A SUITABLE
    RESORT FOR 6 ROUNDS OF A PRO-AM TOURNAMENT AND 1 ROUND OF AMATEURS
    ONLY MEDAL PLAY. THE PAST TWO YEARS WE HAVE GONE TO
    INNISBROOK(APPROXIMATELY 30 TEAMS OF FOUR). FROM A GOLFING STANDPOINT
    IT IS EXCELLENT(AS COMPARISON OUR TOUR HAS GONE TO BOCA RATON, CASA
    DE CAMPO, PORTUGAL AND THE BAHAMAS). WE FOUND THE NIGHTLIFE TO BE
    TAMER THAN WE EXPECTED. THE REALLY ODD THING IS WHEN YOU ARE ON
    THE RESORT ALL DAY YOU DON'T REALLY GET A FEEL FOR THE AREA UNLESS
    YOU DON'T WANT TO GOLF WHICH IS HERESY EVEN TO THINK ABOUT.
    I PREFER THE ISLAND COURSE FROM THE STANDPOINT OF SHEER CHALLENGE,EVERY
    CLUB WILL GET USED. COPPERHEAD IS ALSO VERY GOOD AND ALTHOUGH RANKED
    HIGHER THAN ISLAND I FOUND IT IN ROUGHER SHAPE LAST NOV. I GUESS
    BECAUSE THE TRAFFIC IS HEAVY AND THEY HAD LOST A LOT OF THE GREENS
    ON #1(I THINK) THEY WERE SANDED AND NOT MUCH FUN TO PUTT. THERE
    ARE SOMER GREAT HOLES THOUGH AND I ENVY YOU YOUR TIME THERE. FOR
    YOUR SECOND ROUND OF THE DAY YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER THE
    SANDPIPER,SHORTER BUT NARROWER. YOU SHOULD SCORE BETTER HERE.
    ACCOMMODATIONS ARE EXCELLENT AND YOU DON'T NEED A CAR ON THE RESORT
    BUT YOU WILL TO GO OFF TO SOME OF THE SPOTS.
    IF YOU LIKE SPORTS BAR BEER AND WINGS I SUGGEST 'HOOTERS'
    MORE REFINED DINING IS AVAILABLE RIGHT AND LEFT ON THE MAIN HIGHWAY
    AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE RESORT.
    FOR FASTER PACED ACTION I WOULD RECOMMEND MAXWELL'S HAMMER.
    
    REGARDS
    
    LINC
    
    P.S. I WANT A SUMMARY ON YOUR RETURN
    

I appreciate everyone's comments about Innisbrook.  I am looking forward to
a vacation.  An essential part of a good vacation is good golf.  Here is the
info I promised to the original note.  These courses are from the Golf Digest
Annual Issue listed under Tampa/St. Pete from a quick scan of the map some are
quite a ways from Tampa proper.

Ke R-Resort, PU-Public, SP-Semi-Private, P-Private

Bardmoor CC, Largo, R, 813-392-1234	North: 18/72 6950yds   South: 18/70 6450

Real "19th hole" for special events.  Homesites and condos.  South open to 
public.  Home of JCPenney Mixed Team Ch.


The Bayou C., Largo, PU, 813-546-3099		9/36 3479

Tom Fazio design with mounds, pot bunkers and lots of water.


Bloomingdale Golfers C., Valrico, SP, 813-685-4105		18/72 7165

Ron Garl design set in natural marsh preserve.  Water on 13 holes, fast greens, 
excellent condition.


Dunedin CC, Dunedin, SP, 813-733-7836				18/72 6565

Former PGA National Course designed by Donald Ross.  Four water holes. Visitors 
to Dunedin may play.


Imperial Lakes GC, Palmetto, SP, 813-747-4653			18/72 6658

Rolling terrain with undulating greens & 8 lakes.


Innisbrook Resort & GC, Tarpon Springs, R, 813-942-2000
Island 18/72 6999, Sandpiper 18.70 6006, 
Copperhead 9/36 3588, 9/35 3443, 9/36 3393

Island heavily wooded, hilly and a great test.  Sandpiper is a tough short 
course.  Copperhead is a tough tournament course.  Three 9's.  Twnety four 
lodges scattered throughout 1000 acres, all located on courses.


Landsbrook GC, Palm Harbor, SP, 813-784-7333			18/72 6560

Narrow course routed through woods.


Longboat Key C, Longboat Key, R, 813-383-8821			18/72 6890

Fascinating test through tropical vegetation.  Resort facilities.


Rocky Point GC, Tampa, PU, 813-884-5141				18/71 6562

Fairways lined by out-of-bounds everywhere.  Trees, water, some sand.


Saddlebrook, Wesley Chapel, R, 813-973-1111		Saddlebrook: 18/71 6603
							Palmer:      18/71 6469

Palmer designed course cut from orange grove.  Saddlebrook course flatter. 
Condo rentals available.


Seven Springs CC, Seven Springs, SP, 813-376-0035		18/72 6566

Country Club community.  Front more open, back tougher.  Always in excellent 
condition.


Seville G&CC, Brooksville, PU, 904-596-7888			18/72 7140

Arthur Hills design built amont tall sand dunes and pines with over 100 feet of 
change in elevation.


Sun City Center GC, Sun City Centery, *, 813-634-3377		99 holes

Six courses for residents of Sun City


Tarpon Springs GC, Tarpon Springs, SP, 813-937-6906		18/72 6099

Hilly and wooded course with parallel water hazards on 5 holes.


Timber Pines, GC, Spring Hill, SP, 904-683-8439			27 holes

Ron Garl executive courses in retirement community.


Whispering Oaks CC, Ridge Manor, SP, 904-583-4020		18/71 6320

Challenging course with a variety of holes.  Back 9 has 4 water holes.

    I did this two years ago this time. We went to Saddlebrook. Because of
    a connection we got a good room rate, but overall the Saddlebrook
    experience was disappointing. They screwed up our tee times, and the
    food was outrageously expensive. The Saddlebrook course was not all
    that great -- certainly not worth $45 greens fee. However, one day we
    couldn't play because of their scheduling screwup, so they sent us to
    the next town over (wish I could remember the name of that town!) to a
    local publinx called -- The Links.
    
    Very nice course. More challenging than the expensive resort course,
    and only $16. Low-keyed, not too crowded, and tremendous fun.
    
    Ah -- the town is Lake Bernadette. We played three rounds there in two
    days and had a blast. There's a great steak house nearby called John's
    Steak House -- wonderful, cheap chow. I also noticed a Best Western
    cheapo motel in the town.
    
    If I had it to do over I'd get a cheap room at a cheap local motel, eat
    at John's or McDonald's, and play 36 holes per day at the Links.
    
    I want only golf -- no nightlife or fancy stuff, so this would be my
    dream trip. All I require is a course, some food, and a place to sleep
    till the next round. This formula would fit the fill.

    re.4
    
    I noticed that you had listed Imperial Lakes as a course near Tampa.
    I just returned from Sarasota on a support call and had the chance
    of playing Imperial Lakes. It is located at exit 42 on I-75 (should
    be about a 30 minute drive from where I-4 and I-75 intersect). It
    is a real nice course. They also have a twilight rate that is $20
    for all the golf you can play and includes half a cart. The rate
    starts a 2PM. 

    One or two exits south of Imperial Lakes is Buffalo Grove. It is
    only a year old and is a public links style course. I did not play
    but did look at the course. Looks like a place to get into to trouble
    if you spray the ball a little.