The Downs Golf Facility

The Downs Golf Practice Facility

Located just south of the racetrack, The Downs Golf Practice Facility celebrates the Tampa Bay area’s rich golf heritage while enabling visitors to stay attuned to the Thoroughbred action next door. The 22-acre facility includes 270 yards of open range for full-swing shots, plus putting, short-game and bunker areas. Betting machines are available for anyone wanting to combine horses with birdies. The facility has been the site of 10 weekend Golfest events, featuring celebrities such as LPGA legend Annika Sorenstam, world-renowned instructor David Leadbetter, major-championship winner Brittany Lincicome of nearby Seminole, Fla., and PGA Tour standout Andy Bean of Lakeland. The Downs Golf Practice Facility has also played host to local qualifying events for the annual Drive, Chip & Putt Championship for junior golfers. Golfest 2022 will take place on Friday, Feb. 11 and Saturday, Feb. 12. “Our goal in building the range was to make Tampa Bay Downs a total entertainment destination. With live racing, full-card simulcasting, golf, concerts and poker, we are realizing that vision,” said Peter Berube, Vice President and General Manager of Tampa Bay Downs. “We currently offer facility rental, fullservice dining and group plans catered to our patrons’ needs, rounding out the total experience.” The Downs Golf Practice Facility is committed to offering the finest learning and practice environment in the community, featuring 45 grass-tee stations that are rotated daily to give the golfer near-perfect practice conditions every day. A recent addition is a 250-foot artificial grass teeing area that will be used occasionally to help the grass fill in for pristine conditions. Not a fan of mats? Not to worry, as grass hitting areas will always be available. Concerned about the heat? We have you covered, literally, with a 100-foot covershot that allows up to 10 hitting areas of covered shade. The Pro Shop features equipment and golf products from all of the top brands, guaranteeing a fine selection of balls, hats, clubs, gloves, apparel and much more. Joey DiPompo, Director of Golf at The Downs Golf Practice Facility, is responsible for day-to-day operations, including the Pro Shop, range, instruction, food and beverage and grounds maintenance. “We have developed a first-class golf practice facility to introduce more players to the game and to help experienced golfers keep their practice habits on the right track,” DiPompo said. The Downs Golf Practice Facility offers top-of-the-line instructional clinics that cover a range of topics, from swing and short game to specialty shots. Matt Mitchell, a PGA Class A professional with more than 30 years of experience, conducts lessons, clinics and schools on an ongoing basis. He is highly respected as one of the area’s premier instructors. Another option for learning the game and improving players’ skills is Fun Golf, a monthly instructional program offering unlimited clinics and lessons for a monthly fee. The range is uniquely designed with the look and feel of a golf course, encouraging players to bring every club in their bag. There are numerous bunkers and practice-green areas to help golfers fine-tune pitching, chipping and approach shots. The nearly two-acre short-game area consists of: • 8,000 square feet of putting green surface • 6,000 square feet of greens for practicing chipping and sand game • 7,000 square feet of greens for approach shots from 10 to 65 yards Best of all, golf enthusiasts can practice 362 days a year (closed Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day), while enjoying simulcast racing and wagering from the convenience of The Downs Golf Clubhouse, a first in the nation for any racetrack or golf facility.