Pelican Women’s Championship

The inaugural Pelican Women’s Championship Presented by DEX Imaging & Konica Minolta will be held Nov. 16-22. Featuring 108 players battling for a portion of the $1.5 million in purse money. To be played at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Fla.

The world’s greatest women professional golfers will be in attendance, like Sierra Brooks. Sierra Brooks, an All-American at UF and a rookie standout on the Symetra Tour, will compete in her first LPGA event as a professional at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair. Go Gators!

Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pelican Golf Club event will be lacking the normal number of spectators. LPGA officials made the call to have a spectator free event.  I believe it’s the only call for now!

Even so, a select number of exclusive Pelican Golf Club members and special guests will be in attending the event. Along with staff, media, and volunteers.

Although the event will broadcast on the Golf Channel starting Nov 19 to 22, it’s a shame golf enthusiast won’t get a glimpse of the elegant, fashionable Pelican Golf Club and all it has to offer.

I know many are disappointed. However, as disappointing as holding a spectator free event may be. The subject matter in the letter from the Town of Belleair Commission. Emphasizing how the Town of Belleair “are not in any way running the event”

Commission Meeting

Above all, he letter stated on 10/20/20 at a Commission meeting. Commissioners issued a “Major Special Relief Permit” for the spectator free event. Saying it was done to “ensure this event has the best interest of Belleair residents in mind.” This best interest of Belleair residents?

Wow! Belleair News thinks that’s a bold statement! Although a timid statement. Compared to many previous statements made over the past four or five years.

First of all, how can the Town of Belleair Commission now say they “are not in any way running the event” When in fact, the Pelican Golf Club logo was prominently displayed? On the town’s website for months.

Likewise, the town’s website expressed how “excited the Town of Belleair is to host an LPGA tournament.” Links from Belleair’s website. Took fans directly to a landing page to purchase Pelican Golf Club LPGA tickets, links be a volunteer, and at the same time, posting a FAQ page on the town’s website.

With 8 or 9 FAQ “softball question” most with commercial links to promote and benefit the Pelican LPGA.

There was one nonpublic relations FAQ. Reminding residents that STR renting their homes via Airbnb and VRBO was forbidden. Just one example of a good for the golden egg goose isn’t good for the gander. For example, I’d love to know how many LPGA officials, staff, media, and special guests are couch surfing at certain Belleair residences?

However, what puzzles and allows residents time to pause for thought. Which if I was under a political spotlight. Is the last thing I’d want?

Why would Belleair and its officials, many of whom are very interwoven with the Pelican Golf Club, owners and employees, change course, taking a different tack and try another approach. Distancing their involvement regarding Belleair and the Pelican Golf course? Why would Belleair decide at the last-minute about-face with their involvement and affiliation with the Pelican Golf Club?

Did someone get called on the carpet? Did residents find fault with using town resources? For a private enterprise. Did all the hubbub regarding conflict and ethics complaints. Get someone’s attention? Did a state or federal oversight commission warn officials their sailing into uncharted waters?

Why change course?

Despite all this absurdity, the question remains, why? Why change course? Why attempt to distance Belleair and its elected officials. From Belleair’s involvement with the Pelican?

I read an article on tbnweekly.com. That two members of our five-member Town Commission. Abstained from voting to approve a special permit for a “fan-less” tournament. Recusing themselves not to vote on an already instituted arrangement that represents absolutely nada. It is an insult to residents and a prized example of how certain officials. Truly believe they’ve got a new bulletproof Brinoi suite!

I may be a little off. But after going over Town Commission meeting details from May 2017 to Oct 2020 concerning the Pelican Golf Club. Not only didn’t any Town Commissioners recuse him or herself from voting even if their voting had the appearance of a possible conflict of interest. Every request that was presented by Pelican Golf Club to Town Commissioners. We’re talking nearly 70 to 90 applications/requests. All passed unanimously! Is that even possible? Someone, please correct me if I’m wrong?

Even Putin’s United Russia party occasionally tells him da nyet, navernoe – meaning “Yes, no, maybe.”

Pelican Golf Club

It’s not a secured NSA secret that the Town of Belleair has a unique rapport and affiliation with the Pelican Golf Club. Which is what it is, and I, for one, have no problem with the relationship. Unless it affects my lifestyle,

Instead of going as far as the town officials did. By deleting all traces and undertones of any possible quasi-partnership or strategic alliance from the town’s website? Do they think this eliminates what they said for nearly a year?

Why not try something different. Like explaining to residents. Honest mistakes may have been made. Perhaps certain choices made by officials could have been better? Candidly inform your constituency why you made certain choices. Tell voters you’ll try to be more transparent. Knock on some doors of new residents or old ones. Ask them how you could better do your job instead of taking offense to valid questions with condescending answers. Try to remember these are the same people you, as elected officials, work us.

There was also one amusing FAQ on the recent letter sent by Belleair. Q1: If I live on the course, can I watch the tournament from my Property? A1: Yes. Homeowners living along the course may watch the event from their Property. That’s ever nice of Belleair.

For a second, I thought the “Bosses of Belleair” would pass an ordinance; we couldn’t sneak a peek at the Pelican Golf Club while the event was being played or until the sunset! A1 continued saying may not walk onto golf club property, as it is homeowners.

News flash

News flash, even though the Belleview Biltmore Golf Club was an asset of Belleair and its residents. It was profitable and just signed a 10-year lease. In theory, that would have been a net profit of $6 to 10 million dollars for Belleair? While allowing all residents to enjoy the green space, have a nice lunch or dinner, and play a round of golf.

Pages: 1 2