My trip to the Transitions Championship during a four-day vacation to the Tampa, Florida area was brief but memorable. I was able to take my girlfriend to her first-ever professional golf tournament, watch Sergio Garcia make a birdie, see the #1 player in the world and watch Bubba Watson hit a tee shot (the thing I wanted to see most from the trip.)

At one point during our Friday visit we stopped to watch players hit into the Par 3 13^th hole. My girlfriend asked why we were waiting here and I explained that a few groups from now we’d see Paul Casey, Padraig Harrington, Rory Sabbatini and then Nick Watney, Martin Kaymer and Bubba Watson. I remember vividly saying, “we’ll just have to watch a few groups of less interesting guys like (I paused to glance at the pairings sheet) Gary Woodland.”

I owe an apology to Gary as he would be the eventual champion of the event and nothing is more exciting than winning.  A smarter man would have followed Woodland for a few holes.

I also owe a thank you to Transitions and the Innisbrook Resort. Our brief visit was enjoyable and the course looked spectacular. It’s always fun to visit a place that knows how to host a great golf tournament.

I promise more thoughts are coming soon. After four days away my return flight was delayed until about 2 a.m. I’m catching up and getting back in the groove.