golfer2530

I called TPC Tampa on my way to the airport to try to get in 18 holes before I had to return home. I showed up about 45 minutes prior to my scheduled tee time and asked the pro shop if they could get me out early. They said no problem, head down to the first hole and see the starter. This is where it went bad. The starter was chumming it up on the first tee with a twosome and and could not be bothered at all. When I told him the pro shop sent me down to go out right away he said not on my watch. I asked about the twosome on the tee box and he said they are members and he couldn't pair me up with them as they wanted to play alone. I explained that was bad business and he said he could send me out as a single behind them. Mind you there were nothing but foursomes in front of the two and behind me. It made no sense. I went to the pro shop and asked for a refund. The pro shop was extremely friendly and apologized for the starter. I took my refund and got on my flight to go home. It was a disappointment to end the a couple of great days of golf. I would recommend this course as long as this one starter is not working. I will not name his name, but he needs to understand that paying golfers should be treated with respect. He doesn't own the course, he is afforded the ability to work there.

Arriving at the course, the bag attendant took our bags and informed us where to park and where to go when we entered the club house. The people at the pro shop where very matter of fact, no real personality. We had a 7:12 tee time and we were there at 6:45. By the time we checked in and got to our cart it was almost 6:55. When we asked about the availability to hit balls the cart attendant told us that we needed to be at the starter ten minutes early in case he could get us out early. We drove to the driving range instead, only to find out that you need to purchase range balls. This is something that a course that charges over 100.00 dollars should include. When I asked the starter about it, he said "most courses charge for balls." The course itself is great. A lot of fair holes. Some long, some short. I had a rough front nine, but a great back nine. The greens are true and hold the line. I will say that people do not fix their ball marks as I found myself repairing mine plus two to three. The course should remind people to repair their ball marks. The pace of play was great, but than again we were second off for the day. We finished in 3:40 minutes.

We arrived at the course and the bag drop attendant informed us we were parked in the member area. That is ok for him to tell us that, but he was very rude about it. I guess he was rude as we didn't allow him to take our bags, which meant no tip. The assistant pro, Stacy, was extremely rude. Chewing gum with his mouth wide open. Actually chewing would be ok, he was chomping. I know this is nit picking but a premier course should act like a premier course. Stacy was not friendly , just took my money and looked right pass me. Not a great start. The only thing that keeps me coming back to the course is the course. The conditions are great and the layout is very fair. The starter should know better to pair two twosomes together, instead of sending them out apart. There were nothing but four packs in front of us, so we would be waiting on every shot. The group behind us was a two pack, so I had to suggest that we pair up. Again, small issues, but a course that is trying to be elite should know this. I know I said this, but the course is amazing and the greens are true.

Lakewood National is great golf course. The staff are amazing and so friendly. They are there to make sure you enjoy the course. The range is awesome. The course conditions are amazing. The sand is consistent, which is what you want. The greens are the prize here. Fast and true. That is all you could ask for. I think they were rolling around 10.5. The pins were placed in fair locations. The course is very appealing to the eye. My one complaint is that there is not enough water to drink on the course. We had a 7:00 tee time and only saw the cart person one time. That is OK for me as I don't need anything from the cart person. There is a lot of construction going on, but it doesn't seem to effect the atmosphere of the course. Our pace of play was great as we were the first off. There were four of us and we played in just over 3:30. If you are in the area and don't play this course, you are missing out.