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A chance to feel like a pro

The Michelob Light Amateur Golf Tour gives avid players a chance to experience a high level of competition.

By BOB HARIG, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published May 23, 2002

Most amateur golfers know they can't play like the pros. But they can dream, if not about a similar level of play, then at least about competing in the same way.

The Michelob Light Amateur Golf Tour promises to offer that opportunity.

Billed as an amateur tour that treats players like pros, it launches its Tampa Bay version in July after a successful run in Sarasota earlier this year.

And the tour has lined up some heavy-hitting venues: Cheval, TPC of Tampa Bay, Belleview Biltmore, Cypress Run, Lake Jovita, Lansbrook, Westchase, River Hills, East Lake Woodlands, Bardmoor, Northdale, MacDill and Bloomingdale.

All of which means serious amateur players will get a chance to compete in a tourlike setting.

"We want them to be nervous when they tee off," said Bryson Hale, the tour director for Tampa Bay. "We want them to feel like they're on a real tour. ... There is nothing new about starting a tour for amateurs. But we have a good list of sponsors, we're playing the top courses in the area, and we feel we have a chance to be one of the top amateur tours in the nation."

The tour is scheduled to kick off July 8 at Cheval. A $200 annual membership will provide access to two golf seasons: January to May and June to December. The membership also promises to provide discounts at area restaurants and driving ranges.

Each event will have a $65-$100 entry fee, depending on the venue. That will include greens fees, carts and prizes. And each event will be flighted, with handicaps from 0-4, 5-9, 10-15 and 16-20. Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in each flight. Players also accumulate "tour points" based on their finish in each event. These points will be used for season-ending prizes as well as a way of qualifying for the tour championship.

And this tour will not jeopardize a player's amateur status, nor will it compete with Florida State Golf Association events.

"We kind of take the view, the more competition, the better," said Jim Demick, the executive director of the FSGA. "We want golfers to go play golf. Competition is a good experience for any golfer. It gives them a higher appreciation for the game. We try to promote that. There is plenty of room around our schedule. This just means there is more available. It's good for them and good for us."

"I think it's a strong idea," said Val D'Souza, the head pro at the TPC of Tampa Bay, which will host an Amateur Golf Tour event on July 21. "We have a lot of regular members out here who are good players, but the only events they have to play in are the state amateur or U.S. Amateur, the Mid-Amateur or Pub-Links. That's only a handful of events for someone who is a pretty active player.

"Golf is so deep now. They've got more professional tours to play, but there are amateurs who are not going to quit their jobs to turn pro. I think it's about time something like this came along. I think whenever you have amateurs who have a chance to compete and win and develop their games, it'll get more people into the game long-term. Generally, the people who get hooked on golf, who get that golf bug, have that competitive edge. That's what keeps them playing. If this tour develops, it could be a nice incentive."

It also offers the opportunity to play some area courses that might not otherwise be accessible. Cypress Run in Tarpon Springs, Cheval in Tampa and East Lake Woodlands in Oldsmar are private. MacDill, at the Air Force Base in Tampa, is usually just for military personnel.

"We have very few outside events each year," said Steve Martin, the head pro at Cypress Run. "But with how well they did with this tour in Sarasota, we thought it might be a good opportunity to showcase our golf course in a different light.

"We have a lot of good players in the Tampa Bay area. If it goes as well as it sounds, this tour should be pretty successful."

-- For more information on the Michelob Light Amateur Golf Tour, call (727) 647-2350 or visit www.mlagt.com.

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