Innisbrook, a Salamander Resort, celebrated the re-opening of its popular and challenging South Course after a six-month renovation of the putting surfaces on all 18 holes, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the first tee Friday, November 30th. The South is one of four championship layouts at the beautiful resort tucked away from the maddening crowds in the Pinellas County bedroom community of Palm Harbour, just north of Clearwater, Florida.
The renovation honored the original design of Course Architect Larry Packard and included the practice green behind the Osprey Clubhouse and the practice putting surface at the Innisbrook Golf Institute, adjacent to the Clubhouse. Using a no-till method of turf replacement, the work has resulted in a firmer, more consistent playing surface. The greens were planted with TifEagle Bermuda Grass- the same exceptional putting surface the PGA TOUR professionals rave about annually during the Valspar Championship on Innisbrook’s famed Copperhead Course. This year’s event will be held March 20-24th with last year’s winner, Englishman Paul Casey, defending.
“We couldn’t be more excited to stand here today, knowing we now offer four championship courses with the same top-tier putting experience that is preferred by the amazing players we watch all season long on the PGA TOUR,” said Innisbrook’s Managing Director Mike Williams. Last year we completed this same renovation on the North Course (also known as Baby Copperhead) with great success. Now with the completion of the greens of the South Course, golfers will enjoy a consistent putting surface on all 72 holes of golf at the resort. These improvements further underscore the investment and commitment to excellence we have from Owner Sheila Johnson and Salamander Hotels & Resorts.”
The renovation project also included reconditioning of the bunkers and green surrounds, clearing all storm canals and trimming and pruning trees and shrubbery to reduce shading. Sizes of some greens were also expanded where shrinkage had occurred over the years, allowing for additional pin placements now.
Innisbrook Resort is also in the process of completing an extensive room remodeling project that includes all guest rooms and suites which is expected to finish in early 2019 ready for the Valspar Championship.
Innisbrook is situated on 900 wooded acres of rolling hills in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area on Florida’s Gulf Coast, just 30 minutes from Tampa International Airport. Besides the 72 holes of championship golf and spacious accommodations, Innisbrook has four restaurants, three bars, 11 tennis courts, six heated swimming pools including the Loch Ness Monster, the luxurious Salamander Spa with 12 treatment rooms, state-of-the-art Fitness Center, a nature preserve, and three conference halls with over 100,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and function space.
To make your reservation, tee times or for additional information call 727-942-2000 or visit InnisbrookGolfResort.com.
