Resort's New Owner Goes All Out

PALM HARBOR - Friday's soggy skies couldn't dampen Sheila Johnson's enthusiasm as she showed off her new digs to appreciative players and the golfing public.

The new owner of Innisbrook Resort has been busy this week pressing the flesh and gauging reaction to the 7,340-yard Copperhead layout at the PODS Championship.

"So far, so good," Johnson said Friday afternoon, an hour before officials suspended second-round play because of a squall line that sliced through the area. "This is my very first golf tournament and it seems to be running very smoothly. I've never seen so many smiles."

Johnson has already spent $1.5 million to spruce up Innisbrook's Island Course and she is planning an elaborate spa and health center to attract visitors to the noted Pinellas Country resort.

A day after hosting more than 40 players' wives for a luncheon in her new suite, Johnson was strolling the manicured grounds.

"The landscaping out here is simply spectacular," she said. "More than anything, you can feel the spirit of our employees and volunteers. Golf fans seem to be very impressed. They tell me the course has never looked better ... and these are people who notice everything."

Johnson said the WNBA Draft is slated to be held at Innisbrook April 9 and she is also working on a tennis event this fall to mark the 35th anniversary of the historic Billie Jean King-Bobby Riggs match.

TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE: Despite a birdie-birdie finish, Ernie Els remains a long shot to make the cut.

The winner of last week's Honda Classic said he never found his rhythm Friday en route to a second consecutive 73. Els is 4-over par for the tournament and the cut is projected at 2 over.

"I didn't quite have it," said Els. "It's not very good."

Els finds himself in a tie for 100th place after an erratic round marred by four bogeys and a double-bogey at the par-4 seventh hole. He found enough composure to close with a pair of birdies, but Els knows the real score.

"I'm going to be missing the cut anyway," he said. "We'll regroup and see what happens."

A STEP BACK: At 3-under 139, Lee Janzen is only five shots behind leader Jeff Maggert, but the PGA Tour veteran knows he missed an opportunity Friday.

Janzen started the day one shot behind Bart Bryant at 5 under and he was still in prime position after completing the final three holes of his first round.

But Janzen faltered with a second-round 74, undermined by five bogeys in wind gusts that reached 25 mph.

"It's certainly an extreme challenge to play in conditions like this," said Janzen, seeking his ninth career PGA victory - and first since winning the 1998 U.S. Open. "This is a very challenging course anyway and anyone that is 3-under par should be in great shape. I've showed some signs and now I have to start believing I can do it again."

MASTERS TUNEUP: Paul Casey, tied with Janzen and three others at 139, was just happy to fight his way through a long day.

Casey arrived at the course at dawn Friday to finish up his opening-round 67. By the time he departed in the late afternoon, an exhausted Casey had slipped to 3 under following three bogeys on the back side.

"The putting surfaces around here are exceptional, tricky pin locations," Casey said. "It looked like the Tour didn't ease up on the pin locations, even with the weather coming today. There are great players out here and we have to be tested.

"I'm very happy. It's been a long day out there. I played 27 holes in tough conditions and it takes a lot out of you. I would compare the mental challenge to that of a major. Innisbrook is a tough, tough golf course. If you slip for a moment, it's going to penalize you and you're going to pay the price."

Ira Kaufman