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Transitions Championship Bringing Strong Field

Tribune file photo by CHRIS URSO (2008)

2008 PODS Championship winner Sean O'Hair will be among those in this year's competition.

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By MICK ELLIOTT | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 24, 2009

Updated: 02/24/2009 11:46 pm

PALM HARBOR - The PGA Tour will be making its annual return to Tampa Bay next month, with the Transitions Championship promising a lot of new sights for golf fans.

Pinellas Park-based Transitions Optical begins a new four-year title sponsorship agreement by attracting a field to Innisbrook Resort that includes 40 players from the top 60 finishers on last season's money list.

The March 19-22 tournament will feature defending Masters champion Trevor Immelman, former U.S. Open winner Jim Furyk, U.S. Ryder Cup team members Boo Weekley and Kenny Perry, and Australian star Adam Scott. Returning past champions include Vijay Singh, Retief Goosen, K.J. Choi and 2008 winner Sean O'Hair.

"I'm really looking forward to defending my title," O'Hair said. "The Copperhead course is definitely one of the best venues we play on the PGA Tour.

"I was really pleased to find out that Transitions stepped up to the plate for us, because I was a little scared I was not going to have the opportunity to defend my title."

After PODS ended its tournament involvement after two years, Transitions came to the event's rescue in June and promises new spectator involvement.

Included among the week's fan-friendly schedule is a Monday pro-am that will be free for spectators. For Wednesday's pro-am, some 1,000 elementary-school students will be hosted and offered golf clinics.

"I've been to every PGA Tour event, every Champions Tour event and every event on the Nationwide Tour, and never has a title sponsor come out with week-long activities," tournament director Gerald Goodman said.

Tickets ($40 per day Tuesday-Sunday) can be purchased at Publix Supermarkets, online at transitionschampionship .com or by calling the tournament office at (727) 942-5566.

Reporter Mick Elliott can be reached at (813) 281-2534.

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