STAFF DIRECTORY

T.J. Heidel is the Director of Golf at Rogers Park Golf Course. He is responsible for the general administration, management, coordination and supervision of the day-to-day activities. Rogers Park Golf Course plays 30,000 rounds of golf and generates over $800,000 in revenue annually; with a staff of 35 employees and volunteers.

T.J. began his career with the Tampa Sports Authority in 1995. T.J. has held the position of Head Golf Professional at Rogers Park and Babe Zaharias Golf Course before being promoted to Director of Golf at Rogers Park Golf Course in 2013. T.J. has been teaching the game of golf to all ages since 2005. You are never too young or too old to learn this amazing game. His teaching philosophy is “Keep it Simple”. 

T.J. completed his B.S. in Human Services and Masters of Business Administration at Springfield College. T.J. is a Tampa native and lives locally with his wife Lisa, and their three kids. His hobbies are undertaking DIY projects, spending quality time with family and playing golf.

Carlos Marcelino is the Operations Manager at Rogers Park Golf Course. He is responsible for assisting the Director of Golf with the general administration, management, coordination and supervision of the day-to-day activities of the part-time and volunteer golf operations staff. He is also responsible for food and beverage operations, merchandise operations, and general maintenance of the course and facilities and their events.

Carlos’ career with TSA began in 2021 as a Cart-Barn attendant at Rocky Point Golf Course. He quickly transitioned to a new position as a pro shop and food and beverage attendant. In December 2022, Carlos was promoted to assistant Operations Manager at Rocky Point Golf Course. Shortly after that, in October 2023, Carlos was promoted to Operations Manager at Rogers Park Golf Course.

Carlos started playing the game in 2018 after receiving an Honorable Discharge from The United States Marine Corps. In 2019, Carlos’ dream shifted to wanting to become one of the greatest golfers who ever played the game, and he has been pursuing that dream since. Carlos’ passion is to help others discover how the game of golf can teach them valuable life lessons and help them overcome past traumatic experiences.

Jim Garrison was promoted to Vice President of Golf Operations for the Tampa Sports Authority in May, 2022. He is responsible for the general administration, management, coordination and supervision of the three City of Tampa owned golf courses- Rocky Point, Babe Zaharias and Rogers Park. Previously, he was the Director of Golf for Rocky Point Golf Course since March, 2014. 

Jim previously served as the Head Golf Professional at Temple Terrace Country Club from 1999 to 2014, where he was responsible for all aspects of the golf operation, including organizing and running over 30 member and charity tournaments annually.

In 1999, Jim was elected into the Professional Golfers Association, where he served as the West Central Chapter President (2008-2009) and North Florida Section PGA Board of Directors. Jim earned the coveted North Florida Player of the Year honors in 2005 which gained him an exemption into the 2005 PGA Tour Chrysler Championship and the 2005 PGA Tour Funai Classic.

Jim is a graduate of Brevard Community College and studied Engineering at the University of South Florida. Jim resides in Riverview with his wife Melinda, and has three wonderful children. His hobbies are fishing, playing golf and the entire Garrison family loves to travel.

ERIC D. HART, CVE

Eric is the President/CEO of the Tampa Sports Authority (TSA). He is a member of the Westshore Alliance, the Visit Tampa Bay Advisory Board and the Tampa Bay Sports Commission board.

The TSA manages Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the University of South Florida Bulls, the Hillsborough County Tournament Sportsplex and three City of Tampa municipal golf courses- Rocky Point, Babe Zaharias and Rogers Park. The TSA also serves as the landlord for Amalie Arena, home of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Steinbrenner Field, spring home for the New York Yankees.

Eric previously served as the President and CEO of the Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Authority. Prior to Lansing, Eric served as the Director of Event Services for the Minneapolis Convention Center and as Associate Director for the UIC Pavilion in Chicago. He began his career at the Iowa State Center in Ames, Iowa where he served as the Guest Services Manager and was later promoted to Event Coordinator.

Eric is actively involved in IAVM (International Association of Venue Managers), having served as Chair of the Venue Management School (VMS) and Dean of the VMS Graduate Institute, held annually at Saddlebrook Resort in Tampa. Eric earned the prestigious Certified Venue Executive (CVE) designation from IAVM in 2013. He was elected as the Second (2nd) Vice Chair of IAVM’s Board of Directors in 2019, the First (1st) Vice Chair in 2020 and served as the IAVM Board Chair in 2022 and currently finishing his term on the Board as past Chair.

Eric received a Bachelor’s of Science in Finance and a Master of Science in Business Education and Administration from Illinois State University.

He is happily married and the proud parent of two daughters. Eric loves to hunt, golf, fish, wood work in his shop and spend time with his family.