PGA Tour Players Arrive, Practice at Innisbrook

Nearly half the 156-player field checked in on Monday, as the week of the Tampa Bay Championship presented by EverBank got underway.

The first official event of the week was the Executive Women’s Day presented by Astellas with more than 100 women enjoying a VIP tour of the tournament plus a motivational and enjoyable presentation from sports agent Molly Fletcher.

Chi Chi Rodriguez Academy Pro-Am

Then, 20 pros joined their amateur teams for the Chi Chi Rodriguez Academy Pro-Am.  The team headed by pro Graham DeLaet was the net winner at 24-under-par.  Tom James, Ken Armstrong, Brad Welch and former MLB slugger Fred McGriff were DeLaet’s amateur partners. 

The Pro-Am, along with an auction afterwards, helped raise funds for the programs of The First Tee at Chi Chi Academy.  PGA TOUR pros George McNeill and Brian Harman will visit the academy at 3 p.m. on Wednesday for a clinic with the students.

Tuesday will be a day devoted to professional practice rounds with most of the remaining players expected to arrive.

Google+ Hangout

Other activities on Tuesday include a Google+ Hangout with pro Jimmy Walker and tournament director Kevin Krisle at 11 a.m. Here is the link to join in the Google+ Hangout.  Walker and Krisle will be available by webcam with viewer participation encouraged.

A special moment will occur around 9:30 on Tuesday morning when three Wounded Heroes will receive a fitting for a pair of custom clubs from Callaway Golf through Birdies for the Brave.  The Wounded Heroes are Army Specialist Maury Collett, Marine Infantryman Alexander Kelly, and SSGT Michael Winters, and they will also form a team alongside a top PGA TOUR pro in the Tampa Bay Championship Pro-Am.

Pro-Am Pairings

Pairings for the Wednesday Pro-Am, as will those for the tournament’s first two rounds on Thursday and Friday.  The Wednesday Pro-Am will be highlighted by some amateur celebrities.  Ronde Barber of the Buccaneers, former Lightning captain Dave Andreychuk, Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels and baseball Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt will play in the afternoon.  Darrell Green, the former Redskins cornerback who is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, will be in the morning wave.

Related-

• PGA Tour Tampa Bay Championship: Complete Coverage

Thanks to Rick Odioso for submitting this information.