My family has lived in the Forest Hills area 
of TAMPA since the mid 50's, and has golfed at "the babe" 
for over 20 years. Growing up in the Forest Hills area, the rolling hills and beautifully green landscaped greens at Babe Zaharias are a hidden little gem in Tampa, tucked back in forest hills.
The Mayor of Tampa, Pam Iorio, allowed for improvements to the golf coarse in recent years and the coarse has grown in popularity in vast numbers. When I picked up a gift certificate for fathers day, I admired it's fairlined beauty. 
Here is a bit of history behind "the babe"
In 1926 the golf course that is now affectionately known as "The Babe" was opened in northwest Tampa as Forest Hills Golf and Country Club. There were riding stables located on the south end of the property and a magnificent two-story clubhouse that included a ballroom. The original course layout had only 10 homes scattered around it. Unlike today the golf course meanders its way through a tree lined neighborhood bordered in many cases with homes and roads on both sides of the fairway.
In 1949 Mildred Ella "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias purchased the golf course. It's been said that "Babe's" actually lived on the second floor of the clubhouse. In 1954 Babe moved into a residence not far from the present clubhouse location. In September of 1956 "Babe" died of cancer in a hospital in Galveston, Texas. Following "Babes" death the golf course closed. In 1962 the once magnificent clubhouse burned. A contractor from Miami either purchased or wanted to purchase the golf course with the intent of building apartments and condos on golf course property. Fortunately the City of Tampa did not approve the zoning. It then became overgrown and a haven for motorcycle riders. Since that time the property has been re-zoned for use as a park or other recreational use.
Keeping "Babe's" name, the City of Tampa re-opened the golf course as Babe Zaharias in 1974. Now some 30 years later, "The Babe" has had a makeover. All 18 greens were be re-built and a new irrigation system has been installed. The work was completed on November 19, 2004. other minor changes to sand traps and tees were also made. With these changes our goal wass to continue to offer a golf course that is challenging for all levels of play and still remain the user-friendly course many of you have grown to know and love. 
Rates are as low as $9.34 (seniors and TSA Cards) Twilight 9 holes
to
$37.37 18 hole ride (golf cart) weekends 7am - 12 noon with No discounts (Senior and TSA Cards).
This is for the April 30th 2007 - November 19th 2007
Contact Babe Zaharias golf coarse for more information on tee times and green fees as well as availabilty. (813) 631-4374
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