The 2017 Valspar Championship hasn’t even finished its first round… darkness halted play Thursday for four groups still on the course… but it’s been one of the more bizarre weeks of golf in quite a while as legends compete and fans anticipate the closing concert by country music star Toby Keith.
Valspar Championship Comes To Life with Golf and Music Legends
So what do I mean by bizarre, for one, defending champ Charl Schwartzel got hit by an amateur’s golf ball during Wednesday’s Pro-Am. The amateur hit into the woods left on number-10. He tried punching out, but the ball hit a tree and ricocheted off of Schwartzel’s wrist. He was forced to withdraw but played the first round in 1-under-par 70 on the Copperhead course.
And, the first round leader, Jim Herman… a 39-year-old from Cincinnati who fired a first-round 62… he is a golfing buddy of President Donald Trump's, and still sponsored by the President. He worked for Trump early in his career.
Throw in the only amateur in the field… Tampa’s own Jimmy Stanger, who said about his first experience at playing professional golf, “I didn’t feel my body until hole 12.”.. and you’ve got a potentially wild and crazy show.
Tournament officials were thrilled by Thursday’s big turnout, and the weekend is expected to be very, very big with large crowds coming in to see renowned musician Toby Keith take the stage following the close of play. To learn more about Toby Keith and the Valspar concert see Things To Do Tampa Bay | Toby Keith to Headline Valspar LIVE.
I'm still going with my pick to win it all, Ryan Moore. Moore fired a 2-under 69, good for a 24th-place tie. Moore has played well of late, and he’s coming off of back-to-back top 5’s at the Valspar.
No matter what happens, this will be a Valspar Championship to remember! Tickets are still available for the tournament and the Toby Keith concert, March 11th, at approximately 6:30 pm, on the Osprey Driving Range.
Looking for more great Things to Do in Tampa Bay, look no further than 813area.com, your place to connect!
