Summer tournaments at the Meadows

Looking for a competitive game this summer?

Check out the tournament series - dubbed "Goin' Big at The Groves" - slated for the Groves course at the Meadows Country Club in north Sarasota.

The private club is on the Big Summer Golf Card, which went on sale in late March.

Beginning on May 6, the Meadows will host one tournament per month during the summer with playoffs to follow.

The cost is $18 per player, which includes golf (with cart), lunch and a drink at the club's Centre Court Lounge.

It's a best ball format for foursomes that starts at 9 a.m.

Other dates for the event are: June 10, July 8 and August 5.

Raffles with hole, team and individual prizes are also offered.

The Groves is an executive 18-hole layout, but has several par-4's and is a tricky track to navigate.

Call the Meadows at 306-3144 or drop by the pro shop for more information.

Big Summer Golf Card adds a new area course

Getting a Big Summer Golf Card in 2011 just got better for Manatee County.

River Wilderness Golf & Country Club has joined the course list for the first time.

The private course in Parrish is a Ted McAnlis-designed track and has various tees for different skill levels.

The par-72 layout will offer a $35 rate for cardholders in May and October.

During June through September, cardholders can play the course for $30.

River Wilderness is now the 10th Manatee County course on the Big Summer Golf Card list, which offers discounts at various courses throughout Florida to its members for the summer months.

Big Summer Golf Card available for 2011

With summer looming right around the corner, it's time to either purchase your Big Summer Golf Card for 2011.

The discount card offers savings at over 100 courses throughout Florida, including several in Manatee County.

Buying the 2011 card will cost $53 until Friday. After this Friday, the discount card will cost $60.

The original deadline for the $53 rate was last week, but was extended to this Friday.

The card is in effect May through October, but some courses offer savings during the peak season months.

For example, Palm Aire Country Club has a 50-player 8:30 a.m. shotgun on Sunday for BSGC holders for $60. Rosedale Golf & Country Club is giving $10 off and The River Club is giving $10-$15 off for BSGC members throughout April.

Cheap rates still around at local courses

The unofficial end to the summer golf season is Oct. 31. From November all the way through the end of April, the unofficial winter season wreaks havoc for anyone trying to play in a timely fashion.

However, it's Thanksgiving that marks the end to summer's blissful season that affords inexpensive rates and the feeling you have the entire course to yourself.

Sure, area venues have gotten busier in recent weeks, but snowbirds visit the Sunshine State at a much higher clip than other places right after the Turkey Day holiday.

So with that in mind, here's a couple good places to hit up for some discounted rates:

River Run Golf Links is home to the Bradenton City golf tournament series, which could give the notion that it costs top-dollar to play.

Not so much right now.

Players can navigate the narrow track while paying a summer rate throughout November.

Since it's a city-owned course, players are allowed to walk - and at a $12 morning rate for 18 holes, it's quite the bargain.

This isn't too far away in nearby north Sarasota, but Rolling Green Golf Club hasn't succumbed to the high-season rates just yet.

The course is offering a round for $30 plus tax in the afternoon. It's $10 more in the morning.

But the real deal-maker during the holiday season is the Big Summer Golf Card.

The discount golf card still offers some price slashing to your round of golf at certain participating courses for November and December.

And many courses offer deals through signing up as an online member for daily e-mail specials.

So talk to the PGA club pro the next time you're in the pro shop, and ask if that course offers special rates for joining as an online member.

Big Summer Golf Card is here

March Madness is over.

But I'm not talking about the basketball variety.

Golf's version of March Madness - the rush of people clogging up courses all over Manatee County - is just about over.

If it wasn't Easter signaling the change in weather to crisp, sunny days that usually means the end of the season, then it's Tax Day that serves as a memo to area players that the summer is approaching.

That's because the Big Summer Golf Card, a discount card designed for Southwest Florida residents, is available for purchase.

The middle of April serves as Tax Day, but the day after is the deadline for current cardholders or those new to the area to register for the 2010 edition at the price of $53 per card.

After April 16th, the card jumps to $60.

Head to http://www.bigsummergolf.com for more information.

The website advertises "save up to 40 percent on greens fees and carts," with "over 100 courses," and several tracks in Sarasota/Manatee County are on the list.

I've already renewed my card, and hope to see you on the links.