Florida Swing: The Boys are Back
The West Coast Swing has been completed and Covid restrictions have been lessened. The LPGA opened 2022 with three of its events being played in Florida and now the PGA TOUR is ready to start its Florida Swing. This week the boys will compete in the Honda Classic at the totally transformed PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens. The Champion Course with its infamous “Bear Trap” will challenge the best of the bunch. The old Squire course has been reimagined into a fun par 3 called the ‘Staple’ and an 18-hole match-play course called the ‘Match.’ PGA Resort has three other 18 hole courses, the Palmer, the Fazio and The Estates. The hotel and spa have been totally remodeled and the dining venues reimagined. So if you have a chance, trek on over and watch where the boys are this week. Go to HondaClassic.com for tee times and ticket information. And check out PGAResort.com for all the latest news on the property.
After the Honda, the professionals come to Central Florida to give homage to “The King” at the Bay Hill Golf Club. Bryson DeChambeau won the 2021 Arnold Palmer Invitational (API) presented by Mastercard and will be back to defend his title against a strong field of the best in the world. Visitors and locals will enjoy all the fun activities during the API, especially at the par 5 #6 where Bryson drove the lake. Everyone will have the opportunity to visit the theme parks or play golf at the multitude of great golf courses. It has been 50 years since Walt Disney World opened and the Resort and Golf Club are celebrating the “happiest place on turf.” Visit ArnoldPalmerInvitational.com for all the information.
The Gold Standard returns March 8-13 in Ponte Vedra Beach at TPC Sawgrass. The unofficial 5th Major will be contested with Justin Thomas defending his 2021 Player’s Championship title against the world’s best golfers. In addition, the World Golf Hall of Fame will be inducting its 2021 class on the eve of The Players. The inductees include Marion Hollis, U.S. Women’s Amateur 1921 Champion and champion of women’s rights in all sports; three-time U.S. Women’s Open Champion, Susie Maxwell Berning; Tim Finchem, retired Commissioner of the PGA TOUR; and a fellow by the name of Tiger Woods. Visit ThePlayers.com for tickets and information. For stays & plays on Florida’s First Coast please visit Florida-Golf.org.
To cap off the Swing, the boys conclude their Florida foursome March 13-20 at the beautiful Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor at the “Most Colorful Tournament in the World,” the Valspar Championship, played on the Larry Parkard exquisitely designed Copperhead course. Last year’s champion Sam Burns will try to make it 2-for-2 against an awesome field of pros. Copperhead has its own trio of holes, ‘The Snake Pit” that can take a bite out of a low round: par 4,16-“the Moccasin”; par 3,17-“the Rattler”; and par 4,18-“the Copperhead.” Innisbrook is the consummate destination for a vacation with four unique championship golf courses, the Loch Ness water park, the transformational Salamander Spa, a thriving tennis center, fine dining at three locations, a complete convention facility and outstanding accommodations all located in a secluded 900 acre gated natural beauty setting. Go to InnisbrookGolfResort.com to learn more and ValsparChampionship.com for tickets and information.
Folks, take advantage of the beautiful weather and the opportunity to see the greatest golfers close up during their time here in Florida. Remember, most of the money spent by the public goes back into the community to support hospitals and local charities, so Get Out & Enjoy!
