The Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am is played annually during February
in Lutz and The Outback Steakhouse is the main sponsor of
the tournament. The tournament was founded in 1988 as the
GTE Suncoast Classic.
The TPC
of Tampa Bay is a 6,638-yard, par-71 which allows spectators
to view multiple holes at once. The Pro-Am is broadcast nationally
by the Golf Channel on Friday and NBC Sports Saturday and
Sunday of tournament week. This event generates a $32 million
economic impact locally.
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Hole #1
This dogleg right requires a drive to left of center in
order to open a green protected by a bunker on the left
front. A drop-off beyond the green will require a deft
return pitch for shots that go long. |
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Hole #2
Depending on wind conditions, a 6-iron to fairway wood
will be needed to hit this large undulating, two-tiered
green. An isolated cypress head to the left of the green
may become a factor on windy days.
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Hole #3
A drive to the right center of the fairway will leave
a mid-iron shot into this well bunkered green. An accurate
tee shot is needed to avoid the cypress head in the drive
zone. |
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Hole #4
A straight fairway tee shot is needed to avoid the lake
bordering the right side and well-placed bunkers to the
left. The large green drops off severely at the rear.
Shots missing the green must favor the right side. |
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Hole #5
A definite birdie hole! A drive to the right center short
of the fairway bunker must avoid the cypress head on the
left. This leaves an approach shot requiring a short iron
to a shallow but wide green. |
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Hole #6
Swirling winds are prevalent in this area of the course.
Club selection is critical to carry over the wetland marsh
to an elevated green which is protected by a large bunker
on the left. |
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Hole #7
A player attempting to reach in two, must avoid the
lagoon that runs along the left side, and must then
carry over a wetland area. Putting the ball down the
right tier of the green is essential for birdie opportunities.
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Hole #8
A demanding tee shot avoiding the cypress head on the
right and the water hazard along the entire left side
leaves a long to medium iron to the course's longest green.
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Hole #9
A drive to the right center of this hole avoids the well
placed pines on the left and leaves a long to medium iron
shot into the two tiered hourglass green. A water hazard
to the left of the green could be a factor in the wind.
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Hole #10
To avoid the water along the entire right side and the
bunkers on the left, an accurate tee shot is required.
The green is guarded by water on the right and a cypress
mitigation area on the left. Steep runoffs behind and
left of the green will require a skillful recovery shot.
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Hole #11
Mid-iron accuracy is essential to avoid the cypress mitigation
area on the right. Players will also want to avoid the
left hand green side bunker due to its unique design.
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Hole #12
Two lakes separated by a fairway bunker guard the entire
right side of this hole. A left center drive leaves a
fairway wood to long iron shot to this reachable green.
Any player trying to reach the green in two must account
for the lagoon and bunker at the right.
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Hole #13
This most elevated green requires an extremely accurate
short iron to the correct tier. Missing the green will
leave the player a precarious recovery shot. Pin placement
makes the hole very challenging. |
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Hole #14
The strategically placed bunkers make the player's second
shot critical. An undulating green with water on the left
and bunkers on the right require an accurate third shot.
Balls landing at the back of the green are likely to roll
off due to the unique mowing pattern. |
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Hole #15
This hole is one of the most difficult with a combination
of lagoon and wetlands protecting the entire left side.
The green is nestled alongside the lagoon with a picturesque
cypress backdrop. With bunkers on both sides of the green,
and water on left, the long iron second shot must be crisp
and accurate. |
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Hole #16
Fairway bunkers flank the left side of the hole requiring
a drive to the right center of the fairway. Tee shots
landing too far right will require players to navigate
around a cypress head. Bunkers at right of the green set
up the hole aesthetically.
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Hole #17
The long tee shot that gets close will be rewarded on
this 11,000 sq.ft.green. Subtle undulations throughout
the green make birdies rare. |
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Hole #18
When playing into the wind on this hole, a par will gain
an advantage. Driving the left center avoids both the
fairway bunker and water hazard. An accurate fairway wood
to mid-iron is required to avoid the water on the right
of the green. |
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