PODS Championship

The name of the tournament may have changed, but the substantial impact of the PGA TOUR for Tampa Bay charities continued in 2007 as the first PODS Championship generated $1.2 million for area charities.

"We faced a terrific challenge with a March tournament after having our 2006 event in October," says Snow Martin, the general chairman for the 2007 tournament for Suncoast Golf - the tournament's organizing not-for-profit entity. "We're very pleased with this amount for the tournament in a shortened time frame in our first year with PODS. They are a great partner for us and very committed to further enhancing our charitable impact."

"We are excited to be back on a full-year schedule with an established date in the middle of the Florida Swing," adds Peter Jones who takes over as general chairman for the 2008 event.

Suncoast Golf has now raised more than $6 million in the past three tournaments to push the organization's 31-year total past the $21 million mark.

Most of the charitable impact was generated through the approximately 100 charities affiliated with the tournament's Birdies for Tampa Bay Charities program which will enter its eighth year in 2008.

The next PODS Championship will be held March 3-9, 2008 on the Copperhead Course at the Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club. Mark Calcavecchia will be the defending champion.