Sarasota Golf & Country Club Real Estate

Heritage Golf Group, the owners of the 36 hole Prestancia golf club, have redesigned their membership program to suit the times. In other words, more affordable. There are too many membership options to go into detail here, but the most likely membership for a local Sarasota golfer would be the unlimited membership for $15,000 plus monthly dues. This allows you to play both the Stadium and Club courses, plus local reciprocals in the summer months, plus access to all the Heritage Golf properties around the country.
Drop me an e-mail if you are interested in receiving information on the other memberships available, or if you want to learn more about the excellent property selection currently offered in this gated community.

Here’s a look at a few summer golf memberships. University Park Country Club offers all you can play right up to October 31 for only $500 plus tax plus cart fees. The Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice allows full golfing priviledges until September 30 for $535 including tax. Sara Bay Country Club is $639 ( including taxes ) right up to October 31. The Meadows is the most aggressive at $500 plus tax right up to November 30. And finally, The Founders Club is offering play up to October 31 for $1000 plus tax and cart. All are unbelievable values for the golfer who spends the full summer here.

     This months edition of Golf Magazine ( February, 2012 /  page 99) responds to a readers question about where the best golf course values are under $75 in the Sarasota/Bradenton area. The answer, as written in full below, is actually quite accurate.

     “The course that’s King of the Sarasota area for value-oriented public ( semi-private, actually ) golf is the Arnold Palmer-designed Legacy at Lakewood Ranch ($45-$99) where you will face wide fairways, massive splashes of sand, and water everywhere, notably at the par-3 17th known as “Arnie’s Island”. You’ll pay $69 after 1pm in February. Even more of the wet stuff awaits you at the 27-hole University Park($49-$99) with its flattish, oak and pine framed terrain. The most unforgettable one-shotter here is the 193 yard, par 3 5th, which runs along the main drag (University Parkway) so you’ll likely have a gallery as you attempt the forced carry over a lake, wood planks and a bunker. A final bargain is the River Club ($35-$68) which boasts an unusual, though memorable island green par 4, the 416 yard 16th.”

     Call or e-mail for information about home ownership options in all three communities.

     When “season” would arrive ( roughly mid December to mid March ) the local Sarasota County semi-private golfer would brace for large tee time price jumps. But, from what I can tell, the increases have been more modest this year than in season’s past. Take Bent Tree for example. One can still get in 18 holes from $25 to $39 without much difficulty. A round at Misty Creek runs only about $40 with cart. I have seen Stoneybrook for as little as $39 even during “peak” playing times during the day.

     Keep in mind that I scout prices on-line through TeeOffSarasota.com or EZLinks.com or through GolfNow.com. But any local golfer can do the same. River Wilderness has times for $44 and Rosedale has afternoon tee times for as little as $29 after 12. Looks like the local golfer is still winning as all of our semi-private clubs continue to compete for the same golfers. So the lesson here is if you do your homework, you can play golf for mid summer prices.

     It’s funny how things turn out. My mandate in 2011 was to play, and report on, a new golf course community every week. To that end I did review some 30 different courses along with their housing options ( see history of previous blogs). But then, along came an amazing membership offer from The Founders Club, which I simply could not resist. Playing good, semi private ( or even some public ) courses is fun, but it just can’t compare to the full, private club experience. Better course conditions, better opportunities to meet people, and off course social activities you can experience if you are so inclined. So far, I have truly enjoyed The Founders Club membership.

     And it’s not too late for this opportunity. Memberships that were $47,500 remain available for only $15,000 for a limited time. This is a traditional Scottish Links design with moss-covered centuries-old oaks, pines and palm trees in a lush setting. The Clubhouse is spectacular with an outside dining area second to none. To illustrate the social aspect, recent clubhouse events included the Chef’s table Dinner, a casual Dinner & Trivia Night, a Couples Cooking Class and Brunch with Santa.

     Last week I took three clients out to the member-guest day ( which we won ! ) and all three were remarkably impressed with the course and its conditioning, along with the professional treatment by all club and restaurant staff.

     And let’s not forget the real estate options. This remains one of the newest, high end gated golf course communities in the County. Homes on estate size lots can still be had for well under the million$ mark. New construction is currently available. Call or e-mail me for specific listings. Happy holidays.

     Left my home club The Founders for a round at Palm Aire Country Club with three friends I met at University Park. Played The Lakes…a little over 6000 yards from the whites but can stretch to 6,443 from the blues and 6,698 from the gold tips. Good condition, good speed of play. The Champions course is a better test I’m told…over 7000 yards from the back tees. This is a mid level golf course community but interesting enough for the price and a challenge for any level of play.

     There is a currently a “Try Us Out” membership…60 days for $1000…refundable should you join. A full golf membership for the family is $1000 in equity plus a $1,500 membership fee. Monthly’s will cost an additional $575, and an annual food and beverage bill of $900 is easy to use up. The current incentive is free carts for the first year, 50% off the equity and 50% off the membership fee…if you join before year end.

     Nicely situated just off University Park, this community boasts every living style…two story condo’s, semi-detached garden homes, villa’s and single family homes. Nothing in the high end, however. Anywhere from the $90′s to the upper $600′s. Again, this is a very accessible, mid level, friendly golf course community. One of the first five courses to be built in Sarasota. For more on the membership or property options, give me a call.

     Met withthe Founders Club general manager Hugh O’Donnell at the  after my round last week. I had heard that this exclusive and private Robert Trent Jones Jr. course was offering some enticing membership rates. What was initially $90,000 + to join, then dropped to some $45,000+ some two years ago.  Now they are offering full memberships for just $15,000 plus monthly fees….if you are one of the first 10 to take advantage. Then it will go up to $25,000 for the next 10 new members. Or, there is an associate membership for $3,750 that allows full play from May to October, then restricted t-times for the remainder of the year. I went for it. After I return from my holiday at month end, I will be an associate member come November 1st. I will keep you posted on my new home club. Can’t wait.

     Homes in the community are all on estate size lots. Starting in the $600′s moving well into the millions. E-mail me for sample listings.

     I returned to River Strand on Saturday and was most pleasantly surprised. I have played this course many times but always, for some reason, on the Estuary and Tributary 9′s. ( This being a 27 hole course.) This time we began on the Sanctuary course. I now have a new entrant for my favorite 9 holes in the Sarasota / Manatee area. For sheer challenge, beauty and condition, I was totally taken with this portion of the course. No homes in sight on most holes ( for now ) and just a true variety of holes designed by Arthur Hills. If you shoot close to par from the blue or gold tee’s, you are truly a player.

     River Strand is a Lennar bundled community, meaning anyone purchasing a property in that section becomes a member of the club.. They are also accepting outside memberships at a very reasonable $2,300 per year. As you begin the Estuary 9, there is a large sign at the first tee daring you to compare this rate to other courses…such as Waterlefe, Lakewood Ranch, River Wilderness and The Venetian. The Oaks comparison is a bit of a stretch, but one could certainly justify River Strand against those first four courses.

     Lennar has had a very successful year so far…an entryway banner boasts well over 100 sales to date in 2012. Properties are in all price ranges and styles. Condominiums, town homes and single family residences. Drop me an e-mail if you would like some samples e-mailed to you.

     Located west of I75 just off State Road 70, the fully private Tara Golf & Country Club is an attractive and affordable golf course community. Not just in membership terms, but in home choices. Single family homes range in price from $150,000 to $450,000, depending on size and the proximity to the course. Condo’s start for as little as $75,000 and rise to about $180,000. In addition to the golf, the community has tennis, a community pool and a fitness center. The social scene is very active with a nice blend of boomers, seniors and snowbirds.

     Originally designed by famed links architect Ted MacAnlis, the course has undergone a 2009 upgrade by Ron Garl to the tune of $7.5 million. Named after Scarlett O’Hara’s mansion in “Gone With The Wind” the clubhouse interior suggests a southern plantation. Inside the front entry, memorabilia and stills from the movie are on display. Simply an excellent course with excellent amenities at an affordable price. E-mail me with any questions, or to receive e-mailed listings of currently available homes.

     As reported in the Sarasota Herald Tribune, The Meadows appears ready to amend their bylaws in an effort to attract golfers and boost revenues. As reported by Mark Cardon, it is a sign of the economic times. Country clubs are simply no longer as private as they once were. Jacaranda West Country Club, Palm-Aire Country Club and Bent Tree Country Club all now accept holders of The Big Summer Card. Other clubs like Sarabay, Lakewood Ranch and The Founders have cut deals with promoters of discount play in the slow summer months.

     The Groves was always open for public play at The Meadows. It remains a fun and challenging executive par 65 course. But now The Highlands 18 will open for public play on October 16. Only The Meadows course will remain exclusive to the 411 existing Meadows members, although they will have priority booking on The Highlands.