It’s that time of year again – The return of the Valspar Championship to Innisbrook Golf and Spa Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida rapidly approaches! Typically held early in the PGA Tour season in the weeks leading up to the Masters, the Valspar Championship offers fans a chance to stand feet away as the best players in the world compete for their share of the $8.1M purse!
As usual, many of the game’s greats are expected to take part in the tournament, including the 2022 US Open Champion Matt Fitzpatrick, 2015 Valspar Champion Jordan Spieth (who closed out the tournament in a playoff sinking an incredible 30-foot birdie putt), Justin Thomas (currently ranked #5 in the world), and back-to-back defending champion Sam Burns – The Tampa Bay Lightning aren’t the only ones who know a thing or two about winning consecutive championships!
Attending a golf tournament is genuinely a “choose your own adventure” type of experience. For those who enjoy walking, we recommend picking your favorite player ahead of time, finding when he tees off on the first hole and following him for his entire round! Then find your next favorite player and follow his round! Benefits include seeing the entire Copperhead Course to fully appreciate its challenge and beauty, witnessing every shot type, and the ups and downs inherent to a full round of golf.
If a long day of exercise in the sun isn’t your cup of tea (or Arnold Palmer), find a spot on the course to post up and watch as player after player rolls through! Benefits include seeing as many players as time allows before moving to the next spot!
Whatever you do, make sure to stop by Hole #s 16-18, known as the “Snake Pit” for their difficulty in ending the round. Hole #16, named the “Moccasin”, wraps around a lake on the right with trees on the left. Sitting just off the green offers a magnificent view at incoming approach shots, often out of the trees and over the lake. The largest grandstand sits over the green at Hole #18, giving viewers an overhead look at putts to close the round (and the tournament on Sunday – if you can make it in time to save a spot).
The Valspar Championship takes place March 13-19 with a week full of events! With a different theme each day there’s always a reason to come back for more.
Parking passes can be bought in advance and are all digital. Those with parking-related questions are directed to call (904) 280-6891.
Staying in Palm Harbor for the tournament? Check out the map below to see what hotels and VRBO rentals are available.
If you’re really looking to do Valspar Championship week right, consider staying at Innisbrook Golf and Spa resort, which hosts the tournament each year on its famous Copperhead Course! Home to four world-class courses, including Copperhead, Innisbrook is a golfer’s paradise.
The Island Course, arguably more difficult than Copperhead, has played host to US Open Qualifiers, NCAA Championships, and the LPGA Tour, and has been ranked among the top 50 resort courses in the country by Golf Digest. Innisbrook has it all – multiple pools, restaurants, and golf. Just make sure to book your stay early, especially if it’s during tournament week!
Palm Harbor has no shortage of fantastic restaurants. Check out some of our favorites below!
Palm Harbor is just outside so many great areas in Tampa Bay, it’ll be hard to not find something to do! Here are some of our favorite nearby neighborhoods to explore.
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