I am not a golfer. Now, I’ve done a round or two of mini golf, and I am always happy to meet friends at TopGolf, but I’ve never actually played golf. That being said, on a bleisure trip to Phoenix, Arizona, a few years back, I got to attend the Waste Management Phoenix Open. It was a party! Certainly, golfers know how to have a good time.
So about a month ago, I signed up to volunteer with the Tampa Gator Club – go Gators! – during their 2023 Scholarship Golf Tournament. This is their biggest scholarship fundraiser of the year, which they hosted last weekend at Bay Palms Golf Complex. To no one’s surprise, this was my first time on the course, but it was gorgeous! They have a great setup there, and I honestly think it’s a bit of a hidden gem for all you golfers out there. If you’re ready for tee time, here’s what you need to know.
- It’s located on Macdill Air Force Base. Right on the water, the complex offers two 18-hole courses that are completely tucked away into the base, both of them with beautiful views of the bay. Despite living in South Tampa for a few years, I had no idea this existed prior to my volunteering.
- It’s open to the public for play! You don’t have to wait for a specialty tournament, but you do need to get clearance to come on base before you can get to the golf complex. I had to submit my drivers license information in advance so the Tampa Gator Club could make sure my background check was done ahead of time.
- The clubhouse has a lot to offer. As a volunteer, this is where I spent most of my day, and I was surprised by the size of the space – as well as everything in it! They have a private tournament room, a pro shop, a restaurant, and a sizable locker room, so you won’t have to leave the area while you’re there.
Our tournament was located on the South Course, but both it and the North Course are supposed to be great options to play. I will note that there wasn’t much shade, so the Florida sunshine can definitely hit you hard. Of course, it’s not so bad if you’re mostly zipping around in a golf cart. 😉
