TRINITY, FL - MONDAY, MAY 5, 2008

corner news!

I’m amazed how fast the Trinity Town Center, at the corner of Trinity Boulevard and Little Road, is coming together.  The expected completion date of August 2008 is just around the corner, and will be here in the blink of an eye.  Surely how time flies!

Be sure to visit the website www.trinitytowncenter.com.  The list of new tenants is impressive indeed – from bank, insurance and law firms to fancy dining and specialty salons, with lots of others.  From everything that I have read, it seems the intent is to keep it exclusive, yet family oriented, which is really what Trinity is all about.  

Trinity, which is home to The Champion’s Club, is the perfect example of a master-planned community in its glory. It’s all about new, young, fresh - and it's constantly changing as more families are drawn to its hometown flair. 

Someone has done their homework. One look around and you can tell the experts know the Trinity area is only going to continue to grow regardless of the economic times.

TRINITY, FL - THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2008

Ah, spring break!  That brings back memories, doesn’t it!  Of course, I grew up here and so it usually meant off to Colorado with the family for what we hoped was a relatively warm week of skiing.  We found winter skiing to be miserable at times.  Especially when you’re not accustomed to the below-zero temperatures and bundle up under so many layers you can’t bend over to lace your boots.

But for many, spring break was the time to load up the car, kids, dogs, grandparents, cousins and all, and head to the beaches.  For many of the snowbirds, it was an escape from the four feet of snow piled up along the sidewalks in a last ditch effort to save their sanity.

Pretty sure it all still applies today.  But honestly, we have paradise right here.  March and April are some of the best beach-going days of the whole year, whether you live here or not.  So you made a great choice if you’ve decided to become beach bums for the week!

Pasco County schools start their spring break vacation today.  This past week Pinellas and Manatee were out.  I guess they have to stagger them or no one would be at work! Parents need family fun time, too.

Have fun – a lot easier to do if you remember your sun block!

TRINITY, FL - MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2008

It's the place to be!

How we let this happen, I’m not too sure. But I am sure that way too often we who call Tampa Bay our home sometimes forget how lucky we are to live here. We are so close to the Gulf of Mexico and beautiful beaches and all that comes with that…pretty sunsets, walks on the beach, drives across the spectacular Sunshine Skyway, grouper sandwiches at Frenchy’s, boating out to the popular islands . . .  the list goes on and on.

But just yesterday a new prospect was quizzing us here at the Welcome Center about local attractions and how close we are to the beaches.  When I started pointing them out on the map, my face lit up and an entire list just spilled out.

My first thought was that my husband and I are overdue for an evening at Fred Howard Park & beach to watch the sunset.  It’s an amazing beach, less commercialized than some of the others and just 20 minutes from here. And just a little further south is Sunset Beach, where beachgoers with folding chairs and thrown-together  picnics gather at dusk to listen to live music, usually local talent seeking to expand their fan base.

To the north, is the Anclote River, with Tarpon Springs’ newest marina - a state of the art facility. The river winds into three large bayous, where fishermen are always enjoying a little solitude and hoping to snag a little dinner.  And all of that is right here, within 30 minutes of The Champions’ Club. Travel a little farther south and the beach destinations go for miles and miles.

What a great place to live - enjoy it!

TRINITY, FLORIDA - MONDAY, MARCH 3, 2008

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

Oh, there’s a buzz out here today.  Nearly 120 golfers (tour players and qualifiers) from all over the world have come to the Fox Hollow Golf Course qualify for the PODS tournament.  It’s their last opportunity to earn themselves a spot in this event which begins today, March 3rd, at the Innisbrook Resort a few miles from here in Palm Harbor.  The pressure is unbelievable, with only 4 spots open, they must bring their best game today.

This is just the latest in a series of exciting qualifying events held at Fox Hollow over the years in conjunction with PGA and Champions’ Tour events, bringing mostly undiscovered, ,but some very familiar golfers through the clubhouse and onto the course. 

Matt Cote, General Manager of Fox Hollow Golf Club, is understandably proud to have been chosen to host such a highly rated event for the second year in a row. The staff has been preparing for a long time, and is as excited and focused as the players attending today.  The greenskeepers have been double-cutting and rolling greens, marking hazards, perfecting sand traps and whatever it takes in the long and detailed process to stand out as a championship course.

Best of luck to all of them.  Of course all of us here are pulling for the gentleman qualifier here all the way from England, taking his best shot at getting into the tournament, and staying here with one of our members. After all, he’s almost family!      

TRINITY, FLORIDA - WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2008

OFF TO A GREAT START!

Despite the media’s negative play on the real estate market, there’s a lot to talk about here at The Champions’ Club ... a lot of positive, that is.  It was just two weeks ago that Campagna Homes hosted a Wine Tasting Soiree and Open House for well over a hundred guests at their gorgeous new Villa Sorrento home in Florencia.  What a hit that was! The “wows” never stopped until they closed the doors and turned off the lights at 10:00 pm.  

On that very same weekend Mark Maconi Homes featured their newly-staged inventory home with a great turn-out, all responding to radio spots and ads in the local papers.  Their home is lovely, an amazing transformation with the addition of some well-chosen furnishings and that personal touch to bring it all home.

Now, just two weeks later, Costanza Homes has moved into their new model in Mirasol.  They are still working on those final touches, and I am anxious to go out there myself.  Every day you see something that’s been added that makes you want to swing back through for another look. Yet another success story!

Did I mention one lot closing and two contracts since the first of the year! We’re off to a great start in 2008, and looking forward to a great year with a lot more great things to come.  Hope to see you out here! 

TRINITY, FLORIDA - THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2008

A Chill in the Air?

I hate to admit this, when so many are experiencing such harsh winter conditions, but I’m looking forward to the cooler days and chilly nights here.  My husband will throw a few pieces of aged wood into our outdoor fire pit and we will sit outside for hours on the weekends. 

Just last week, June and I attended an open house and wine tasting at Campagna’s model home in Florencia.  The evening was cool, misty and overcast and a perfect evening to showcase their lanai and beautiful spa/pool and the fire-pit island surrounded by a moat.  Did I mention, the fire-pit was gas and lit by remote control - the epitome of all fire pits. 

Especially here in the south, the outdoor fireplaces, built-in pits, chimeneas, etc. have become so popular.  It’s hard to justify indoor fireplaces when the only benefit is the ambiance.  After all, how many times would the temperature dip low enough to really use it?  Certainly not enough to have a cord of wood delivered and stacked alongside your home, only to rot waiting for the next cold spell.

We’re lucky to live in a climate that allows us to enjoy the outdoors year-round, albeit with a few props here and there. With all the horrible weather up north this particular week, we’re all enjoying it a little more than usual. 

TRINITY, FLORIDA - MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 2008

MARK MACONI HOMES STAGES INVENTORY IN FLORENCIA

June and I just came back from previewing the newly-furnished inventory home by Mark Maconi Homes right here in Florencia at The Champions’ Club.  If you appreciate the art of fine living, you owe it to yourself to do the same. 

Overlooking the first fairway of the Fox Hollow Golf Course, this 4,384 square foot, four-bedroom/four-bath home has been recently furnished to showcase the special features of this magnificent residence by Mark Maconi Homes.  The home includes a study, home theater, second-story bonus room and 3-car garage.

With the golf course vista as a backdrop, this is a great home for entertaining, with an indoor and outdoor kitchen plus a built-in wine captain center.  What we found particularly interesting was the “art gallery” with large built-in shelving and tiers to showcase collectibles.  Nothing like great views inside and out for guests!

If you’re around this weekend, I would strongly encourage you to take the time to visit this newest masterpiece at The Champions’ Club by Mark Maconi Homes during their mini grand opening … Saturday and Sunday, the 26th and 27th of January. 

TRINITY, FLORIDA - MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2008

TRINITY MEDICAL CENTRE

Every time I pick up a local paper or magazine, there is more popping up about the Trinity Medical Centre.  It will be the region’s first new hospital in more than twenty years, so no wonder there’s an excitement throughout the whole tri-county area of Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.

We have already seen professionals from the medical field moving into the area and will continue to do so as the Centre will be one of Pasco’s largest private employers.  Trinity and the entire SR-54 corridor has been exploding with new shopping, restaurants and service-related businesses, and now we know a big reason why. 

To find out more about the Centre itself and the services to be offered, you will want to visit

http://www.trinitymedicalcentre.org.  You may be as amazed as I was at the fact that it will be built exclusively with all private rooms, but there’s more to learn…see for yourself. 

TRINITY, FLORIDA - FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2007

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

The busiest group of folks out here these days is the Adult Activities Committee, who have been keeping everyone happy and in their best partying form. New this fall has been the monthly adult socials, typically held on a Friday evening at the club and themed differently each time. Let’s see, the last two were South of the Border and a Luau, so not sure what to expect for December.

This activities committee is also finalizing plans for a huge New Year’s Eve party at the club – anticipated attendance is over 200! Complete with catered yummies, tent and dance floor on the back lawn, music and merriment of all kinds, it promises to be a wonderful night. We’re obviously lobbying Mother Nature for a nice mild night, but the area heaters are rented, just in case it gets chilly out on the pool deck.

Amongst all that fun, the developer also puts on several events each year – first a Trunk or Treat Halloween party, gate decorating contest and neighborhood Trick or Treating. Club director Frank Oliveto does this kind of thing great, and we received lots of comments about people happy to have such a great, safe option for kids right here in their own community. The developer puts on a delightful Holiday Family Gathering – coming up this weekend – which will include a visit and story time with Santa, a holiday musical presentation from the Seven Springs Middle School choir, tree decorating, a cookie exchange and light refreshments.

These are all wonderful ways to get neighbors and families to meet and enjoy some rewarding fellowship despite such busy daily lives. It’s all good cheer for the holidays.

TRINITY, FLORIDA - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2007

DAYDREAMING!

It is getting SO hard to go to work these days, particularly so when you look out the window and see golfers teeing up their ball all day long and taking on Fox Hollow. For the non-golfers, they still can enjoy a view that's hard to describe, with a beautiful 14-acre horseshoe lake reflecting blue skies and green fairways. But for the golfers, there's a Robert Trent Jones, Sr. masterpiece out that window. Those in the know consistently rate Fox Hollow as the finest semi-private course in the Tampa Bay area. Give it a try and you will surely understand their thinking.

Course superintendent Terry Teets is not only a turf expert, but also an excellent golfer, and he knows what kind of condition golfers should enjoy on a great course. Beautiful tee boxes, tight but not too tight fairways, beautifully maintained collars and fringe around every green, and of course, near perfect putting surfaces that are fast and true. It must be that new Seashore Paspalum grass they re-did the greens with two years ago.

Yep it’s hard to go to work these days, between Fox Hollow and the beautiful weather. Maybe tomorrow . . .

TRINITY, FLORIDA - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2007

LET'S ALL BE THANKFUL!

Everybody is scurrying around to get ready for Turkey Day. Moms are cleaning house and baking everyone's favorite pies while Dads are ..... well, around my house Dad is cleaning the bird and getting it ready to stuff. A job I just despise.

It's funny really, our family looks forward to Thanksgiving, not only for the unbelievable smorgasbord of the most fabulous delectable dishes that you crave all year, but also for the traditional Macy's Parade and an afternoon of football. But now you can add to that list, standing in line to be one of the first to rush in as the department stores open their doors early Friday morning. Seems as though some as early as 4:00 am.

A friend of mine just mentioned that she and some girlfriends are going to camp out in front of a popular electronics store (not to mention any names), starting about 5:00 pm Thanksgiving night. Can you imagine? Oh well, old age is setting in. That is just way too much work to save a few dollars.

Well, seems that's one more thing for which I am thankful this year...none of my girlfriends were looking for a camping partner.

Happy Thanksgiving to All of You!!

TRINITY, FLORIDA - FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2007

TOO LITTLE TIME

Now is when you wish everybody had two weeks off to enjoy this incredible weather we are having. November…April, hard to say because both are at the top of my list as favorite months of the year. One thing for sure, we aren’t having to savor the sunny days knowing that the cold, cloudy, blustery, winter days lie just around the corner. No indeed, there are many more of these to come.

With picture-perfect weather as a backdrop, there are endless events taking place across the Tampa Bay area this weekend and continuing right up until the holidays. You name it, there’s something for everybody. Between jazz festivals, art shows, medieval fairs, chili cook-offs, rib and seafood fests, guided hikes and the Ford Ironman World Championship 70.3 on Clearwater Beach, there is no excuse to be a couch potato. Unless of course, you are glued to the flat screen cheering on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or your favorite collegiate football team. Allowed, but only for an afternoon.

All I know is, there's no keeping me inside this weekend!

TRINITY, FLORIDA - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2007

FRIDAYS ON THE GOLF COURSE

On a recent Friday I had the pleasure of greeting, meeting and playing in a golf tournament at Fox Hollow, since The Champions' Club was one of the title sponsors. The Gulf Coast Injury Center put on the tournament, and donated $10,000 to The Mike Alstott Family Foundation to help needy families in the Tampa Bay area. Mike Alstott was present to autograph memorabilia for participants. It was such an honor to meet him and to see such a fine example of a professional athlete dedicating his time and effort to supporting such a worthy cause.

TRINITY, FLORIDA - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2007

FALL IS IN THE AIR

It’s great fun to be out and about in the neighborhood these days…a lot of our homeowners have so creatively decorated their mailboxes and entryways for Halloween. The last day of October, just around the corner, can you believe it? We say it every year, but truly, it does seem to come faster every year. And certainly retailers are in their heyday now, the beginning of the holiday season.

The parties have already started. Last weekend’s Halloween Costume Party at the Champions’ Club Clubhouse was a big hit. There were well over a hundred adults dressed in lavish costumes – from scary, to funny, to not-so-sure what – who danced the night away with friends and neighbors. And not to leave the kids out, the concierge and staff have had a ghoulishly good time planning for them as well for the "Trunk or Treat" festivities on October 31^st.  And rumor has it that many of the neighbors are hosting "Join Us if you Dare" events.

But, it’s not just partying in disguise, or filling the bags with candy, but the long-awaited feeling of fall in the air that adds a spark to our spirit.

Four of our luxury home builders – Arthur Rutenberg Homes, Campagna Homes, Costanza Homes and Samuelsen Builders – entered their respective models in the 2007 Tampa Bay Luxury Home Tour. Wow, what a great first two weekends!

You’ve all seen and heard about the various Parades and Tours put on at different times of the year by the local builder associations, and they really turn out the traffic. But this is very specifically targeting those looking for luxury homes in very upscale communities, and so far the response has been far better than anyone expected.

A little Chamber of Commerce weather hasn’t hurt either, so a lot of people are finding their way to The Champions’ Club to check out these stunning model homes. If you have a little time this weekend, you should take a look, too. This is the final weekend of this year’s tour, so don’t miss the opportunity. You may even want to check out Fox Hollow Golf Club while you’re here. Wish I were out there right now, but, alas, still on the clock.

TRINITY, FLORIDA - THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2007

DINING AT ITS BEST!

Oh, what a treat! A very nice young man just dropped off some coupons for free appetizers at the recently-opened Tijuana Flats. Along with so many other new restaurants in the area (Outback Steakhouse, Bonefish Grill, Buffalo Wild Wings, and the Trinity Grille to name a few), Tijuana Flats has been well received, according to him. The Trinity area certainly needed a Mexican-themed restaurant. Some of the other recent openings nearby include Crispers, Up the Creek and Shane's Rib Shack. It is exciting to drive around the area these days, because everywhere you look there is something new under construction or getting ready to open.

My husband and I lived in Texas for 14 years, and we became very fond of the Tex-Mex cuisine. If we couldn't get our weekly fix, we were not happy campers. From what I'm reading here, Tijuana Flats is authentic Tex-Mex. "Honey, will you be home on time tonight? We're going out for dinner!"

Luxury Home Tour

Coming to The Champions' Club

There's an army of fixer-uppers skittering all around The Champions' Club in preparation for the upcoming Luxury Tour of Homes, which starts next weekend. All four of our builders with models on site - Arthur Rutenberg Homes, Campagna Homes, Costanza Homes and Samuelsen Builders - have entered this upscale tour, which is sponsored by Tampa Bay Homebuyer and promises three consecutive weekends of visits from some of the area's most discriminating buyers.
 
Everyone is in touch-up mode, and landscaping is being freshened up all around to put our best foot forward. According to organizers, we should be expecting hundreds of visitors over the next three weekends, each here to soak in the magnificent designs, architectural elements and elegant furnishings they see often in their dreams of the perfect home. Even in this challenging market, there are still people out there who know just what they want, and also know when they see it.
 
So you might want to watch and listen for details about the Luxury Home Tour and come on out for a visit. In the meantime, I need to go sweep the stoop. We have company coming!

Trinity, Florida - Thursday, September 6, 2007

School bells are ringing, parents are singing!!! 

Trinity, Florida – September 3, 2007

Welcome To The Champions’ Club!

We did it! After months of brainstorming and lots of meetings with some really smart people, we’ve completed our redesign of ChampionsClubFla.com. We’re very excited to welcome you to our new site.
 
Research indicates that nine out of 10 people start their search for a new home online. So our goal is to bring you to our site, encourage you to spend some time getting to know all you can about our beautiful, luxury community, and convince you to keep The Champions’ Club on your “must see” list. Over the next few weeks we’ll be adding photo galleries and video tours of the community, our stunning model homes by some of the areas finest luxury builders and the private members-only clubhouse. We will also be showing off Fox Hollow Golf Club, home to the last course designed and built by the legendary Robert Trent Jones, Sr. You can enjoy photographs of The Champions’ Club right now by clicking on the Photo Tour button.
 
There’s something going on everyday at The Champions’ Club, and our staff at the Welcome Center will be keeping you up to date on all the activity right here on our new CC Blog. We’ve made it easy for you to talk to our staff or request a private tour of the community. Consider this a standing invitation to visit June Place at The Champions’ Club Welcome Center, where you will be treated to a wonderful overview and tour of our community. Welcome! 

                                                                                                                - June A. Place
                                                                                                            Licensed Real Estate Broker