Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club

Sitting at my desk, looking out the window yesterday it was very difficult to not let my mind wander to thoughts of being on the golf course.  By noon I couldn’t fight the urge any longer so I picked up the phone and called over to Lake Jovita Golf Club (north Tampa) to set up a tee time.  A couple more calls and I had a teetime set for just after 3pm and two more players.

Lake Jovita is a golf course community located in Dade City, a short drive north of Tampa and features two great layouts, the north and south courses.  I have long considered both of Lake Jovita’s eighteens to be among the top golf courses in Tampa.

We played the Tom Lehman and Kurt Sandness designed South Course, and had a great day, already looking forward to the next time I get a chance to play at this great facility.  Next time I’m going to break away and earlier and make it a 36 hole day!

If you live in the Tampa area or will be travelling this way and you love great golf you have to add Lake Jovita to you must play list.  For those of you that are from out of town Lake Jovita offers “Stay and Play” packages that make for a great golf vacation.

Thanks to Head Golf Professional Jim Hafner, 1st Assistant Sven and the rest of the Lake Jovita staff for the great day!

 More information on Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club

Lake Jovita Golf Course Photo Slideshow 

 

Pictures From 2009 Masters – Augusta National

I took full advantage of being on the grounds of Augusta National for the 2009 Masters Wednesday practice round.  While there isn’t as much golf to watch on Wednesday it provides a great opportunity to take pictures and video of the best golfers in the world on one of  Earth’s great courses.

Looking up the 1st fairway past the main scoreboard

Click on the image above to view complete slideshow of Masters 2009 pics

 

Stevinson Ranch – California Top Golf Courses

During it’s short history Stevinson Ranch has garnered many awards, including the “Best New Upscale Public Course in California” for 1996, then in 1997 ranked in the “Top 25″ of all California courses.

Click here for further information on Stevinson Ranch located in Stevinson, California.

 

Harding Park Golf Course – San Francisco

Harding Park Golf Course is located less than one mile from the Pacific Ocean, near scenic Skyline Boulevard and the renowned San Francisco Zoo. Originally designed by Willie Watson in 1925, the majestic, tree-lined layout has played host to many prestigious golf events.

A major renovation and restoration of this historic golf course began in the spring of 2002. The 15 month long project expanded the course from 6,743 to 7,200 yards along with major upgrades to the driving range and clubhouse, bringing them up to PGA Tour standards.

Click Here for more information on Harding Park Golf Course

 

Orlando Swing Into Summer Campaign Launched

The calendar has turned to June and as the temperature continues to climb in Central Florida the green fee prices at top golf courses begin to come down.  1StopForgolf.com has partnered with some of the best courses you can find in and around Orlando to promote summer golf programs.  If you are an avid golfer who is always looking to play the best golf course an area has to offer, then now is the perfect time to take advantage of some great specials and play the best golf courses in Orlando. Over the next 2 months 1StopForGolf.com will be promoting top Orlando Golf Courses through a television advertising campaign, watch for our commercial that are airing during PGA Tournament broadcasts on the Golf Channel including the 3 remaining majors, The US Open, The British Open and the PGA Championship which air on ESPN and TNT.  If you miss the commercials you can still take advantage of the great specials being offered by visiting www.1stopforgolf.com/tv.  Also be sure to register to win Free Green Fees at participating golf courses.  Winners will be drawn every month.

 

Top Players Spread Out Around The World

Now that the regular PGA Tour season has come to a close top players are starting to pop up all around the World playing in various events. A week after citing fatigue as the reason for not playing in the PGA Tour Championship at East Lake in Atlanta Tiger Woods seems to have gotten some rest and was able to muster up the energy to travel to China were inhis second round he shot a course record 64 to move to 2 shots back of leaders in the HSBC Champions Tour in Shanghai.

Another big name Sergio Garcia is playing in the Taiheiyo Masters in Japan. After two rounds Garcia is currently tied for first place at 9 under par.

Back here in the United States a few players have gathered for the Merrill Lynch Shootout in Naples Florida. It is a case of opposites attract at the top of the leader-board after the first round were the long hitting team of John Daly and J.B. Holmes are tied with the shorter – straighter team of Justin Leonard and Scott Verplank. Both teams carded rounds of 9 under par in the modified alternate shot format. Greg Norman played the role of gracious host as he and teammate Nick Faldo shot an even par round 72, good enough for last place. The twelve team field will play best ball today (Saturday) and finish the event Sunday with the scramble format at Tiburon Country Club.

 

Different Golf Course Greets Players In Atlanta

As the saying goes, “what a difference a day can make”. Wednesday during practice rounds at East lake Golf Club players felt that they had a chance to post some low scores then they were greeted by tougher weather conditions that make getting around East Lake a little more difficult. In fact the cool and windy conditions resulted in the highest opening round average since the event moved to East Lake. Only 8 players of the field of 27 managed to post under par rounds in the blustery conditions.

Retief Goosen shares the lead with Joe Durant at 2 under par, 5 players are tied 1 shot back at 1 under. 

 

K.J. Choi Leads in Tampa

K.J. Choi moved out in front after firing a 66 on the Innisbrook Resort’s Copperhead course at the Chrysler Championship in Tampa Florida. Choi leads Ernie Els, Jonathan Byrd and Brian Gay who are all 1 shot back at 7 under par.

 

Big Money Week In Tampa

As the PGA Tour travels to the gulf coast of Florida for it’s final full field event of the season, players up and down the money list are punching numbers into their calculators. This upcoming Chrysler Championship is the last chance for players to secure their spot on the money list and there are 4 numbers in particular that have special meaning.

top 125 = Full Status

top 40 = Masters Invitation

Top 30 = Qualify for the Tour Championship

Top 150 = Conditional Status

The race for the top 125 is the one that holds the most drama, and one player who is hoping that he will at least have a chance fo hold his fate in his on hands in Bubba Dickerson. Dickerson sits at #125 on the money, but he is the third alternate this week in Tampa, if he does not get in all he can do is sit and watch.

The Chrysler Championship is played on the Copperhead Course at the Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, just outside of Tampa.

 

PGA Tour Looking For Magic In Florida

The PGA Tour makes it way to Central Florida for the Disney Funai Classic, October 16-22. The Funai Classic with a total purse of 4.4 million dollars is played on both the Palm and Magnolia golf courses at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, just on the outskirts of Orlando. This is the third to last event on this years PGA Tour schedule. Last years champion Lucas Glover, with a 23 under par total will look to defend his title.