2022 Media Day Recap

Media day is an exciting day for the towns surrounding media outlets and sponsors to hear what's been planned for upcoming events and to get an inside look at what's to come as well as what players and patrons can expect.

As many Tampa residents know, the Pelican Golf Club has a lot of history behind it and how it became. From a small Donald Ross course that was a start up for many young golfers, eventually becoming beat up and neglected, now to a championship course thanks to the Doyle family.

“We are rebuilding a golf course!” Dan Doyle Jr. owner of Pelican Golf Course explained to Justin Sheehan, the director of golf, who fired back asking “Okay! What do you think if we hold an LPGA event?”

“It was literally a pile of dirt,” joked Doyle Jr. “ There’s no way he’ll pull this off”. To everyone's surprise, the vision presented for the future of Pelican Golf Club came to life. The Pelican Women's Golf Championship is now coming into its third year. With many successes already, they are still well on their way to making it even better.

“How do we make it better? That's our mentality” said Marci Doyle, Pelican Women's Championship Executive Director. “We always want to present a better show…while having fun”

Following each championship the players are given a form to complete regarding feedback. What did they like, what do they want to see improved, preferred lunches etc. “ They probably don't think we read them… Technically I don't think we’re supposed to get them, but we do, and I read every one of them.” explained Doyle Jr.

Some of the improvements that were made for the event this year included a larger putting green. “The putting green was a little too small, so while we shut down this summer we doubled its size,” said Doyle Jr. “ We also gave away three Lamborghinis last year but all the ladies took the cash… insurance was too expensive, and there was no place to put their golf clubs. So instead this year we are giving away the Lamborghini SUV’s where you can fit your clubs and we are covering the insurance.” The purse you will also see increasing. This time around, reaching a LPGA high of two million dollars. Along with the purse, a tremendous week of programming. “November 11th is Veterans day… So all military active, reserved, and retired, they're all going to get a plus one. They're all going to have complimentary admission and get to enjoy our Hero Outpost!” said Jeremy Friedman, PR Director Outlyr.

The community is another huge factor in the decision making process for the event. There used to be professional events in St. Petersburg. “ I think this is a huge compliment to the city to bring professional golf back…Tampa is a huge golf community… to have the support is tremendous.” said Gary Koch, NBC Golf Analysis. “You feed off of energy from the crowd…people watching equate to people being there. The more people there equates to a successful event”.

What players should expect this year is nothing short of greatness. “When Dan says they're going to do something, they get it done,” explained Koch.” The course was in good condition last year but this year it's even better.

“With the weather cooperating, I'm sure the greens will be firm and fast. The greens already have a lot of character… which requires accurate approach shots to put the ball in the right place to be able to give themselves legitimate chances for birdies,” Koch said. “ I think the players will be very excited when they get here to see it.”

Following the high expectations presented for the championship. The Pelican family is excited to announce the onboarding of 2022 Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam. “We wanted a female version of Arnold Palmer, which I think we did just that with Annika,” Doyle Jr. explained.

Koch, who has worked with Annika in the past is a firm believer this will be the best way to elevate the tournament. “If you want this to be the best championship that it can possibly be, you bring in arguably the best women's golfer of all time - it's pretty simple. She's one to be very involved and make sure things are done the right way…she's really a wonderful representative of the game. I'm sure the community will be very happy and rally around her.

“What this means is Annika is now the title of the event. This is her baby ,along with the Doyles. This has never happened on the LPGA Tour and we are excited to create and maybe set a template in the game and take everything to a new level” Said Doyle.