➽Top places to eat in Tampa
TPC Tampa Bay ( Lutz ) – This Bobby Weed and Chi Chi Rodriguez design is open to the public seven days a week and plays at par 71 from 6,898 yards with six sets of tees . Fairways are positioned around lakes , cypress heads and 19 natural wetlands , requiring attentive course management . Greens are large , undulating and offer open fronts to allow for run-up approach shots onto a Bermuda grass putting surface .
Plantation Palms Golf Club ( Land O ’ Lakes ) – Located 10 minutes north of Tampa , David Harmon created this links-style design that is mapped out on a former 400-acre citrus grove . The semi-private , par-72 course features water hazards on 17 of 18 holes and a number of challenging par-3s on a 6,800-yard tract with five sets of tees .
Streamsong ( Bowling Green , Fla .) – Home to three championship golf courses , this resort is located 66 miles southeast of Tampa , but it ’ s worth the drive . Built on reclaimed mining land that features topographical elevation changes unlike any other golf facility in Florida , the Red , Black and Blue courses have won numerous awards . Public tee times for non-resort guests are available , but book ahead for this bucket-list destination .
Vinoy Renaissance Resort & Golf Club ( St . Petersburg ) – This Ron Garl-redesigned course is located on Snell Island , a five-minute complimentary shuttle drive from the waterfront 1927 Mediterranean Revival-style resort , a Marriott property . Expect a fun-to-play , par-71 resort course surrounded by lush vegetation on a layout dotted by 63 strategically positioned bunkers .
Wentworth Golf Club ( Tarpon Springs ) – Semi-private Steve Smyers design is not lengthy at 6,500 yards from the tips , but this fun-to-play par-71 course is plenty challenging with tight tree-lined fairways and elevated and undulating greens . The front nine holes wind through mature forest , while the back nine brings water into play , requiring strategic shot-making .
Westchase Golf Club ( Tampa ) – Located just minutes north of Tampa ’ s airport , this Lloyd Clifton design has been called “ one of the most beautiful public-access courses in the Tampa area .” The par-72 , 6,699-yard course winds through natural wetlands over wooden bridges and is mapped out over 213 acres of lakes , woodlands , and scenic conservation areas with five sets of tees .
➽Top places to eat in Tampa
Columbia Restaurant Original restaurant site in Tampa ’ s Ybor City since 1905 . Florida ’ s oldest restaurant specializes in Spanish-Cuban cuisine , including tapas .
Bern ’ s Steakhouse A Tampa favorite since 1956 , for steaks , cheeses , caviar , a dessert room and expansive wine collection . Dinner only , business casual attire .
Doc Ford ’ s Rum Bar & Grille ( PICTURED ) Located at St . Pete Pier , serves fresh seafood and flavors of the Caribbean , including banana-leaf snapper and shrimp ceviche .
Hellas Bakery & Restaurant Authentic Greek dining in Tarpon Springs features gyros , lamb , kebobs , Greek salads , seafood and pastries baked daily .
Crab Shack Restaurant A casual , non-frills St . Pete favorite for crabs , oysters , steamed clams , you-peel shrimp , smoked mullet dip and cold beer .
Check out these websites to plan your trip : ❑ visitstpeteclearwater . com / article / great-golf-courses-st-peteclearwater ❑ visittampabay . com ❑ golfpass . com
No . 13 at Innisbrook ' s Copperhead Course .
N OVEMBER / D ECEMBER 2023 | V IRGINIA G OLFER 33