Sarasota Golf Scene

University Park Country Club, the area’s premier semi-private country club, continues to be the must-play golf destination on Florida’s Cultural Coast. The breathtaking championship golf course is designed to reward the golfer whatever their skill level and provide an exhilarating golf experience against a stunning backdrop of native Florida. The impeccable conditions and beauty of the course as well as the club’s renowned friendly service offer the daily-fee player a private club experience that is surprisingly affordable.

Since it’s grand opening in 1991, University Park Country Club has consistently earned awards from independent readers’ surveys, professional golf writers and planning and home-builders’ associations.

In recognizing the beautiful and challenging 27 holes at University Park with its 4-star rating for the 11th year in a row, Golf Digest writers enthusiastically called it a “must-play” course. The Ron Garl-designed course also earned the designation as “Most Women-Friendly Golf Course” by Golf For Women magazine. 

The Golf Club at Capri Isles, Calusa Lakes Golf Club and Waterford Golf Club provide a spectrum of challenges, wherever one’s skill level. These courses are three of the most enjoyable in the area and offer, in total, 63 strong holes with a great variety of play. Each course uniquely challenges players to discover the strengths and weaknesses of their individual game. A true test of every aspect of golf awaits at the Golf in Venice clubs.

The Golf Club at Capri Isles … A Club of Strategy and Skill: This 18-hole course offers both physical and psychological challenges for the serious and the casual player. The character and playability of the course has been enhanced with: numerous expanses of strategic water features on 14 of the 18 holes; exacting fairway and approach bunkers; receptive and true greens; and four set of tees. The Capri Isles par-72 course calls for golfers to play strategically in order to score well.

Once the exclusive hunting and fishing grounds of the Calusa Indians, Rotonda Golf & Country Club, with it’s natural beauty and abundant wildlife, still belongs to an elite fraternity- one that is made up of the very few golf and country clubs consisting of 81 holes under one flag.

Located on the Cape Haze Peninsula in western Charlotte County, close to the Gulf of Mexico, Rotonda is a comfortable, semi-private club catering to golfers looking for affordable golf without sacrificing quality. As the site of the Charlotte County Open for five of the the past seven years, the club proves its versatility and playability by being demanding enough for tournaments, yet ideal for recreational golfers. 

In November 2007 University Park Country Club introduced its new semiprivate club format which included daily greens fee access to the golfing community, a transition which further established it as the premier golfing and country club experience in the region. Golfers looking for an exceptional golf experience can also take advantage of several types of memberships including non-resident and corporate. Limited summer memberships in golf, tennis and dining categories are now available for the first time at Manatee and Sarasota's premier golf facility.

Daily fee players will be treated to exceptional values and “member-for the day” treatment throughout the summer with daily rates as low as $45, and even further discounts if you are using a Big Summer Golf Card. 

The Golf Club at Cypress Creek, located in Ruskin just west of Sun City Center, underwent extensive renovations during the summer and fall of 2007. The course is now in excellent condition. Cypress Creek was built within and around a beautiful 640-acre natural preserve with a minimal amount of earthmoving.

Improvements to the golf course include all new TifDwarf Bermudagrass greens. During renovations several greens were enlarged, four greens were rebuilt (#4, 6, 13 and 18) and slopes were altered on many of the putting surfaces. Tee boxes were rebuilt using Celebration Bermudagrass.

One of Florida’s top public golf courses earns it’s high ratings through a commitment to excellence. “It’s a beautiful day at Bobcat Trail!” That’s the cheerful expression you’ll hear when making a tee time at North Port’s 4-1/2 star rated semi-private golf club.

It’s also the attitude you’ll encounter from every employee you meet—from the time you pull up to the bag drop to when the bartender pours your drink at the 19th hole.

General manager Drew Pearson attributes the service oriented relationship with customers as one of the reasons the club has garnered recognition as one of the top Florida golf clubs.

When Bobcat Trail Golf Club opened in 1998, the golf course was to be the centerpiece of the 490 acre master planned development in North Port.

With steady growth predicted for the south Sarasota County area and the Toledo Blade Boulevard corridor, it has grown into one of the premier facilities in southwest Florida.

WCI, the premiere developer of golf communities in Florida, offers you a choice of three signature courses in the Sarasota/Bradenton area. Each golf course presents its own distinct personality and features a challenge for any skill level from beginner to scratch golfer. 

For a limited time, this Premier Private Club has released tee times for promotional unsponsored guest play.

Kingsway Country Club is a private, equity club owned by members who are dedicated to making it the finest facility in Southwest Florida.

Ron Garl, the original course designer and one of the foremost golf course architects in the industry, has made significant design improvements to what was already one of the finest golf courses in the area.

This championship par-72 layout is a challenging yet forgiving course incorporating rolling terrain, wide fairways, ample bunkers and spacious Tif Eagle greens with over 7000 yards of great golf. Fourteen holes border water and challenges are abundant, but with multiple tees all golfers, regardless of skill level, can enjoy the experience.

Just imagine a place with rolling greens, lush fairways, cool breezes, and outstanding customer service. Rotonda Golf & Country Clubs is that place. This hidden jewel is on the West Coast of Florida and is just minutes from sandy beaches and some of he best fishing in the world. Oh, and did I mention GOLF? Rotonda Golf & Country Club has 54 holes that challenge all skill levels.

Rotonda has been awarded a “Beginner Friendly Certification” from the National Golf Course Owners Association as well as the Charlotte Sun Herald’s Readers Choice award for being the best course in Charlotte County. That’s exactly how Rotonda Golf & Country Club’s three courses were planned. The Hills. The Palms. The Links. Three emeralds in a spectacular setting bathed by gulf breezes. Challenging, well-maintained fairways that provide a new golfing experience with every round.

It all began in 1972 when the Hills course, with its clever water hazards and elevated greens, opened to rave reviews from serious and casual golfers alike. The Hills is an 18-hole par-72 championship course in the Oakland Hills community. It is a true test of accuracy and course management skills.

The Big Summer Golf Card® is celebrating its 15th successful year of bringing discount golf fees to cardholders at the finest golf courses on the Suncoast. Introduced in 1993 with seventeen golf courses in the Sarasota area, the card has grown to now include over 60 great area courses, and has expanded it’s coverage from Ocala to Punta Gorda.

Big Summer Golf® is unique in many aspects and differs from other imitators in its commitment to the customer. Although privately owned, the BSGC takes much of its direction from the participating courses, with an advisory committee of operators and golf pros setting policy and governing cardholder benefits. The Big Summer Golf Card® has always been known for its focus on customer service at all of its courses.

For a $60. investment, golfers can gain unlimited prime time access to premium courses in over six counties, all within easy driving distance for very reasonable rates-some for as much as fifty percent off the regular public rate. Some courses also offer exceptional afternoon discounts, and also extend their lower golf prices beyond the six month period of the normal lifespan of the program.