TAMPA, Fla. (Jan. 8, 2015) – Now that the calendar has flipped to 2015, Tampa is ready for fantastic sports of all sorts for the next 12 months.

It begins on the first tee with Tampa Bay area golf courses, which hold four of the top six spots on Golf Digest's list of the top 75 public golf courses in Florida. Streamsong's Red and Blue courses were No. 1 and No. 3. The Pine Barrens course at World Woods Golf Club in Brooksville is No. 4.  Innisbrook's Copperhead Course, home of the PGA Tour's Valspar Championship March 12-15 is No. 6.

The Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic on Feb. 21-22 is the first of two sporting events during Tampa Bay's three-month Gasparilla season. The two-day event attracts thousands of runners, from casual athletes competing in the 5K Stroller Roll to world-class athletes competing for prize money in the half-marathon.

The streets of downtown Tampa turn into a mini Tour de France course during the Gasparilla Criterium and Action Sports Festival March 21-22.  It's the kickoff event on the National Criterium Calendar for professional racers, but the fun also includes children's races, a corporate team charity relay and a 3K Beer Dash for those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground!

Play Ball! The familiar sound will be heard around Florida in February for spring training and in Tampa Bay, the 27-time World Champion New York Yankees begin their quest for number 28. The Bronx Bombers first game in George M. Steinbrenner Field is March 4 against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Amalie Arena will be the center of the women's college basketball universe April 5-7 when Tampa Bay hosts the NCAA Women's Final Four for the second time.  The city already has landed the 2019 Final Four.

A new era has begun for the Tampa Bay Rays. Kevin Cash has replaced Joe Maddon as Manager and Matt Silverman has taken over as President of Baseball Operations from Andrew Friedman.  However, All-Star 3rd baseman Evan Longoria is still around and leads the Rays against the defending American League East Champion Baltimore Orioles in their home opener at Tropicana Field April 6.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on the clock. The team owns the number one pick in the NFL Draft April 30-May 2 in Chicago.  Will the Bucs choose Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston or Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota to become the next face of the franchise?

The Tampa Bay Lightning began the year with the best record in the National Hockey League. Jon Cooper's club would like to end it by hoisting the Stanley Cup for the second time in franchise history. The Lightning's exciting, fast-paced style, led by captain and perennial All-Star Steven Stamkos, consistently brings sellout crowds to Amalie Arena.

In the fall, University of South Florida head football coach Willie Taggart hopes to lead the Bulls back to a bowl game for the first time since 2010. USF kicks off the season at home Sept. 5 against Florida A & M.

The end of the year is capped off by what will be the start of 2016 with the Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium Jan. 1. The 2015 game between Wisconsin and Auburn, an overtime thriller won by the Badgers, was the most-watched program in ESPN2 history.

###

ABOUT VISIT TAMPA BAY

Visit Tampa Bay leads the effort of economic development through tourism. The mission of Visit Tampa Bay is to create vibrant growth for the Tampa area by promoting, developing and expanding a united visitor industry. The independent not-for-profit organization represents more than 700 businesses throughout Tampa Bay and promotes the area as a choice destination for conventions and visitors.

For additional information about Gasparilla Season, go to www.visitampabay.com