Sarasota Golf Scene

60 Miles Closer to a World Without Breast Cancer-by Jean Couser

Chances are you know someone whose life has been affected by breast cancer. Last year I walked the 5K RACE FOR THE CURE in St. Pete with my “sister” Carole, whose Mom was battling the disease. This year we will walk to honor her memory during The Breast Cancer 3-Day Tampa Bay, October 19-21.

It is a 60-mile, three-day walk that benefits the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the National Philanthropic Trust (NPT) Breast Cancer Fund. It is unlike other events in that, for many, it is a life- changing journey that starts months in advance with training and fundraising.

Great Getaways That Aren’t Far Away

There is the Florida we’ve all heard about and visited many times before; destinations that roll off our tongue and memories that come quickly to mind. There is, however, another Florida that for many remins a mystery. We're talking about places where the same beauty and adventure await, but without the sense of “been there, done that.” Perhaps then, now is the time to meet those parts of the Sunshine State.

It could be as short as an overnight excursion, or a mid-week surprise. How about a weekend near the water, or a week-long opportunity you’ve put off way too long? Whatever the trip, Florida’s backyard is waiting, with great golf values and Stay-and-Play packages that can make your summertime getaway a whole lot more about relaxation and a lot less about relocation!

Since its grand opening in 1991, University Park Country Club has consistently earned awards from independent readers’ surveys, professional golf writers and planning and homebuilders’ associations, establishing it as the premier golfing and country club experience in the region.

When Golf Digest recognized the beautiful and challenging 27 holes at University Park with its 4-star rating for the tenth year in a row, its 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. Golfweek’s readers’ poll placed University Park in its “Florida’s Top Fifty,” as did Florida Sportsfan. And since 1999, statewide acclaim has been showered on University Park as readers of Florida Golf News voted the course No. 1 in Southwest Florida and one of the top 11 in the state!

Located in the heart of the Lakewood Ranch community, Legacy Golf Club features a distinctive, challenging and enjoyable Arnold Palmer-designed course and clubhouse facility. The club will be offering three membership programs for the 2003 season.

These opportunities will provide golfers with a quality golf experience in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Players can choose from either a single membership, family membership or corporate membership plan. As a bonus, if you sign up for a membership now, you will receive the rest of 2002 for free.

Legacy has made several changes to the professional staff including the appointment of Rob Randall to the position of general manager and Greg Rubino as new head professional. Rob and Greg were both re-located from other Troon Golf properties. Rob was in Las Vegas at The Revere Golf Club and Greg was in San Antonio at The Westin La Cantera Resort, the home of the PGA Tour’s Texas Open.

Watermark Communities, Inc. (WCI) continues in the tradition of developing fine, quality golf course communities with its 18-hole luxury golf course at Waterlefe Golf & River Club.

Waterlefe is situated on the banks of the tranquil Manatee River is located near Bradenton, off Upper Manatee River Road. The course incorporates conservation areas, surrounding marshes and the scenic river, creating vistas of extraordinary grandeur and drama. The course opened to the public on February 2, 2000, and has since experienced increased interest in, and appreciation of, its spectacular location and design.

If you look at the world’s finest courses, they all have one thing in common - memorable holes. Waterlefe shares at least that much with the world’s finest, for it has not only memorable, but unforgettable holes. Designed by course architect Ted McAnlis, Waterlefe is composed of not one, but a collection of signature holes.

Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club, which recently topped Venice Gondolier‘s “Best Golf & Country Club” category for 2002, has expanded its Ted McAnlis-designed golf course from 18 to 27 holes. The new nine holes, which measure approximately 3,500 yards, will open for play in November 2002 and will enhance the original 7,192-yard Pelican Pointe course, which is rated at 75.1 with a slope of 138.

Situated in the Hatchett Creek nature preserve, the new nine features old-growth Florida forests and abundant foliage. The first three holes are heavily tree-lined, with nature as your only companion. The natural theme is carried throughout the course by the use of shell pathways which meander through the course and expand adjacent to wetland areas to form waste bunkers. The greens are generally large but heavily guarded by the many elements of water, sand and wetlands.

Some may consider it a stroke of genius. This brand new 18-hole, par-72 luxury golf course is quite a masterpiece. Bordered by the tranquil Myakka River and surrounded by native Florida landscaping, the perfect day of golf begins here.

With over 660 acres of the 1,000 acre-span devoted to the golf course, lakes, wetlands and conservation areas, it would be tempting to play the course based solely on the view. However, this 18-hole championship golf course is so much more. It’s a true adventure packed with challenging opportunities and thought provoking prospects. Bordered by old growth forest and the Myakka River, Venetian Golf & River Club is unique to Sarasota County and is one of WCI’s finest projects. Both the golf course and community will participate in the Audubon Signature Cooperative Sanctuary Program aimed at providing a comprehensive approach to environmental planning and education.

Taking Tradition to a Higher Level

April 2008 Club and Course Renovation

Long regarded for it’s historical place in the annals of Sarasota golf history, Bent Tree Country Club is blending the old with the new as it embarks on a major club enovation project beginning April, 2008.

After 31 years full of history and tradition that includes hosting thirteen consecutive LPGA Sarasota Classic professional tournaments (1976-1988), seven consecutive Florida State High School Championships (1980-1986), and multiple U.S. Open qualifiers, Bent Tree will undergo what some may consider an “Extreme Country Club Makeover.”

The private country club has parlayed the development of club villas and/or town-homes around the clubhouse into what will amount to an approximately $8-million total facility renovation.

It is easy to have good shots on a golf course where there are no bad holes. It’s also easy to get accustomed to having a professionally trained caddy measure the yardage, read the greens, repair the divots, rake the bunkers and even provide a little strategy for your game. Golf, like life, is easier if you have someone behind you to help you along the way, and anticipate your every need. And although that doesn’t happen often in life, it does at The Ritz-Carlton Members Club, where the philosophy is to make life easy, relaxing and enjoyable by providing the ultimate in service.

Located off University Parkway and Lorraine Road, just east of I-75, on 315 acres of pristine rolling landscape, this very player-friendly course is magnificently sculpted to reflect the natural beauty of its environment. Renouned golf course architect Tom Fazio moved an estimated 1.9 million cubic yards of earth to create five to 40-foot elevation changes. The earth moving also shaped an extensive system of picturesque lakes and wetlands that wind through the property.

In the rich history of Florida golf, there is one golf community which stands out as a legend... Palm-Aire Country Club. This unique, member-owned equity club has certainly stood the test of time. Palm-Aire Country Club offers two superb 18-hole, par 72 championship golf courses, The Champions and The Lakes.

The original golf course, The Champions, was built in 1957 to challenge some of the world's finest players. Golf enthusiasts across America had their first glimpse of this pristine piece of property when the Champions course debuted on Shell's Wonderful World of Golf - the first nationally televised golf program. The show featured legendary names such as Gary Player, Sam Snead, and Ken Venturi, who came to compete at Palm-Aire Country Club. Today this course, designed by world-renowned golf course architect Dick Wilson, also provides the avid golfer an enjoyable golf experience.