TPC Tampa Bay

Our most recent round of golf here was on Christmas Day, and we were the last foursome to get out before the pro shop closed for the holiday.
Considering the April-​like temperatures, this was a perfect way to kill the middle of the day on one of Central Florida’s top courses.
This is not a place for people who do not play golf on a regular basis. The layout consistently requires good ball-​striking and blue tees stretch the course out to near 6700 yards and that feels longer on the closing stretch into the clubhouse.
Recent renovations to the clubhouse give the facility a very 21^st century feel. Locker rooms are fantastic, pro shop is loaded and Cuatro is a high-​quality bar and restaurant.
I’ve also come to really like the people here at TPC Tampa Bay in addition to the challenging and well-​maintained golf course. Margarita Martin runs the sales and hospitality side, Justin Wink is the PGA professional and the cart guys do an excellent job and always remember me from previous visits.
Unlike most TPC golf properties, there is no snobby vibe or unnecessary rules here. Trust me, I’ve played TPC Boston, TPC Sawgrass and TPC Las Vegas and dealt with those things.
People at TPC Tampa Bay want you to enjoy yourself and keep things very simple. Shooting a low number out there is not.

As an event facility this place is beautiful and has a wonderful entrance and view in the back of the golf course. I’ve tried the drinks at the bar in the past and they were all great — the food I sampled was also satisfactory. I definitely need to return soon for some bites as the chef has recently changed.

So, things change… We book a twosome for Friday. He gives us 10:28. My playing partner says one of us is a Paradise Card holder, and asks how much for me. He’s told «about forty, could be around $ 35 depending on the time.» (yes, I know there’s already something weird about that but…) So when I get there I get rung up for $ 56. I ask «what happened to 40, possibly $ 35? He says «there’s a $ 15 surcharge on weekends.» Me: It’s Friday. «We consider Friday the weekend» I’m told.
Then, it’s August. It’s Florida. It’s hot. When the starter calls us from the range, we see the group in front of us hasn’t teed off yet, so we mention we’re gonna shoot up to the clubhouse and get some drinks. He’s a great guy and says that there is a cart girl on the course and he’ll send her our way… cool. Well we never saw her for the entire front nine. We stopped a ranger and asked where she was. Again, no straight answer. First it was the cart broke down. Then we are told they had a big group going off later and she was called off the course to help set up. She shows up on the 12^th hole with a third story about having to train a new staffer… Wow.
I’ve played here many times. This has never happened before. The starter pairs us up with a single who happens to be a member. We learn from the member that the TPC sold out and the new corporate team that took over is «one of those groups only interested in squeezing out every dime possible.» When asked the whereabouts of a couple of long time staff we didn’t see, he told us that all the good, long term staff became quickly disgusted and quit. Instantly, everything that had happened made sense.
So beware, the TPC Tampa is not what it was.
S.

Went to Tampa last week and happened to bring my golf clubs along with me. I decided to give TPC Tampa a go since I am a fan of the TPC San Antonio courses. The course itself was very nice, with lots of water on several holes, but not particularly long or challenging if you keep it in the fairway. I was paired with a two-​some on the back nine since I was a single; however, when I made the turn I had to play the front nine by myself because all groups ahead were foursomes. The practice facilities were equally nice. My only complaint is the clubhouse; the locker rooms are ancient and definitely not comparable to TPC standards. The shower was dirty, there were no lockers available for guests and the towels looked like they were bought in 1975 and never replaced. However, the rest of the experience, including the entire staff, was great. The starter went out of his way to find me a two-​some and the cart girl was very attentive. I am not sure I would return at the cost of the green fee but it was definitely a good experience.

A truly great place to play golf, get some great food and host an event!
The staff is always friendly, helpful, and there in any way to help.
The best golf in the area by FAR!