PALM HARBOR, Fla. – If the inaugural Pro Cup event that took place at Innisbrook last week serves as any indication of how future events will be run, then they are sure to be lauded by all those involved.
From the Copperhead Course to the field of 48 retired professional athletes to the staff assisting attendees, the week was nothing short of first class.
The competition, seeking to tame Copperhead with three days and 54 holes of doubles and singles play, was pretty impressive as well. A field of four 12-player teams representing each of the major sports included Hall of Famers such as John Smoltz, Jerome Bettis, Brett Hull and Ray Allen.
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“We have some great partners behind this that were strategizing with a vision to create an event and concept that provides a competitive series for these athletes,” said Nick Clark, general manager of the Pro Rivals Open, a tournament series of which the Pro Cup was the first. “We know they are so passionate about competition and once they retire, they are looking for those opportunities. Golf brings that together.”
Smoltz was drafted by the Tigers in 1985 – 22nd round, if you can believe it – and began his professional baseball career as a 19-year-old taking the mound for Class-A Lakeland. That was also the year he began golfing. While he won 213 games and saved another 154 in a career spent mostly with the Atlanta Braves, he also became an accomplished golfer shining in celebrity tournaments playing with the likes of Tiger Woods, Annika Sorenstam and Lee Janzen. Hence, he knows a few things about golf courses, tournaments and how they should be run.
“I think this will be the most memorable tournament of any that these guys play because it is unlike anything else we have ever done,” said the 57-year-old, noting the challenge and pristine condition of the Copperhead Course and classy touches that included, but were not limited to, personalized lockers. “I am a big fan of this tournament and I hope that I can stay in shape and play in it for a long time.”
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That should not be a problem for Smoltz, who captained the baseball team to victory. Meanwhile, the organizers set out to make the Pro Cup, with a purse of $378,000, the memorable event Smoltz and others said it was. To that extent, the Tampa Bay area and Innisbrook checked major boxes.
“Florida golf in general, and this market in particular, has such a great reputation where there are tons of great courses,” said Clark. “Innisbrook, specifically, is a golfer’s destination having hosted PGA events (including the Valspar). We wanted to make sure we took care of the player experience because these players are going to be our biggest ambassadors going forward.”
What is slated to follow in 2025 are tournaments for each baseball, basketball, football and hockey. The desire is to bring together retired and active players. While there has been no official announcement on locations and dates, it would not surprise if at least one of the events takes place in Palm Harbor.
“That’s our goal,” said Clark.
That would be fine with former NHL star Dan Quinn, who has participated in 23 celebrity tournaments in Lake Tahoe and caddied for Ernie Els in several PGA events, including the Masters.
“It blew me away,” said Quinn, who scored 266 career goals, of the Pro Cup experience. “Every single detail was immaculate. The treatment with the players’ rooms, the golf course, travel, everything.”
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