Sarasota - Help!

[hos]

Going to be in Sarasota in a couple weeks and looking for suggestions or recommendations. I did a search on the forum and came up with University Park. Looks decent on the website. Was curious on a few of the more centralized (staying on Siesta Key) like Bobby Jones a few others. Thanks in advance for your help!

[shawnee]

Your gonna hafta drive a little to play, I live near the SK bridge.

Here is what I know today from recent experience over the last few weeks.

Bobby Jones - Budget Muni Golf 5-6 hr rounds, wont find me there in season.

Stoneybrook - Heritage Harbor best value right now, played it Sunday and the greens are perfect.

River Strand - Heritage Harbor - very difficult and in perfect shape tee to green, find a coupon and
get 20 off the 90 dollar rate. The best semi-private club in the area. My home club.

Waterlefe in great shape, played there 2 weeks ago.

other layouts that are worth mentioning, Univ. Park, Tara Preserve, Sarasota National.

PM me if I can help you out in any way.

[hos]

Great info - Thanks Shawnee

[Funderpants]

Hos,

A couple course I like to play at least once or twice a month, they are a straight shot up Bee Ridge Road, Bent Tree and Misty Creek. These are probably the closest decent course to you as well...depending on which side of the key you are staying. Remember to check golfnow for rates, it always have some good discounts on most of the courses in the area, including those Shawnee mentioned.

Bent Tree is a older style course, completely new sand and greens this summer and did a great job. It's also walker friendly. People either love it or hate i though... I like the course. They used to host a LPGA tourny and Pro-Ams back in the day where Nancy Lopez won a bunch. Played this past weekend.

Misty Creek is a really great course, doesn't have too many houses so you can feel tucked away in the woods for most of the holes. The back nine has 2 really tough par 5's. The course doesn't get packed and has a great pace of play. Played last weekend.

University Park is always in top shape and a well established club. It has three, 9's with some tight fairways and fast greens. The restaurant isn't too bad either. I usually wait to play it in the summer when the rates are super cheap. You can't go wrong with this one, it really is one of the better clubs and courses in the area. Played during Christmas.

Lakewood Ranch Country Club has a 2 day VIP club membership. It has 3 awesome courses with 2 Arnold Palmer designs.

Legacy is also an Arnold Palmer design. It's probably one of the more interesting courses in the area, the 11th might be my favorite hole in Bradenton. I just wish they took better care of the tee boxes and greens for a $100 green fee.

Bobby Jones is awesome in the summer, but like Shawnee said, 5-6 hour rounds this time of year sucks. Sarasota National is the one of the course I'm not a huge fan. It has tons of potential but they've pretty much let it go to crap and can expect some terribly slow rounds.

My buddy and I play about twice a week and all over the place, so if you want to play a round or just have questions about the courses in the area just shoot me a PM.

[highscoreinky]

I agree with Shawnee that River Strand and Waterlefe are two great tracks in the Sarasota/Bradenton area to play. It is highly unlikely that I would ever play Bent Tree again(never say never). Played there in April of this year and the changes Funderpants talks about had not taken place at that time.

My dislike of Bent Tree wasn't just the course conditions or the total lack thereof it was also due to the absolute indifference that bordered on rudeness of the staff in the pro shop and the lounge/bar area.

To Funderpants: Have they actually done anything with that joke of a driving range they had in April?

[Funderpants]

[quote name='highscoreinky' timestamp='1296442721' post='2938745']
I agree with Shawnee that River Strand and Waterlefe are two great tracks in the Sarasota/Bradenton area to play. It is highly unlikely that I would ever play Bent Tree again(never say never). Played there in April of this year and the changes Funderpants talks about had not taken place at that time.

My dislike of Bent Tree wasn't just the course conditions or the total lack thereof it was also due to the absolute indifference that bordered on rudeness of the staff in the pro shop and the lounge/bar area.

To Funderpants: Have they actually done anything with that joke of a driving range they had in April?
[/quote]

You should give it another shot, they did a great good job fixing the place up. Pope golf management took it over and must have replaced a lot of staff, everyone is always friendly. I'll tell ya, the place must have been absolutely terrible before the change though. Because you're not the first to say the place was absolutely horrid.

The driving range is...eh. It's fine for warming up. Come to think of it, it seems most public and semi-private courses around the area have pretty crappy driving ranges. It's one of the reasons I've been looking at either joining Prestancia, University Park or The Meadows. Besides having nice courses, the practice facilities are great.

But, everyone raves about Sarasota National and I had the same experience in late October, closed driving range, 6 1/2 hour round, when I said something in the pro shop he was indifferent, course was in terrible shape and nothing scenic about the place at all. Yet, people rave about it.

[shawnee]

[quote name='Funderpants' timestamp='1296481400' post='2939418']
[quote name='highscoreinky' timestamp='1296442721' post='2938745']
I agree with Shawnee that River Strand and Waterlefe are two great tracks in the Sarasota/Bradenton area to play. It is highly unlikely that I would ever play Bent Tree again(never say never). Played there in April of this year and the changes Funderpants talks about had not taken place at that time.

My dislike of Bent Tree wasn't just the course conditions or the total lack thereof it was also due to the absolute indifference that bordered on rudeness of the staff in the pro shop and the lounge/bar area.

To Funderpants: Have they actually done anything with that joke of a driving range they had in April?
[/quote]

You should give it another shot, they did a great good job fixing the place up. Pope golf management took it over and must have replaced a lot of staff, everyone is always friendly. I'll tell ya, the place must have been absolutely terrible before the change though. Because you're not the first to say the place was absolutely horrid.

The driving range is...eh. It's fine for warming up. Come to think of it, it seems most public and semi-private courses around the area have pretty crappy driving ranges. It's one of the reasons I've been looking at either joining Prestancia, University Park or The Meadows. Besides having nice courses, the practice facilities are great.

But, everyone raves about Sarasota National and I had the same experience in late October, closed driving range, 6 1/2 hour round, when I said something in the pro shop he was indifferent, course was in terrible shape and nothing scenic about the place at all. Yet, people rave about it.
[/quote]
Sarasota National is in Venice [url="http://www.sarasotanationalgolf.com/index.php"]The Link to Sarasota National[/url]
6 1/2 hour round and a closed range? That sounds like Sarasota Golf Club
[url="http://www.sarasotagc.com/golf/proto/sarasotagc/"]Sarasota Golf Club[/url]
a real choppers track if there ever was one...... would not catch me there or at Bent Tree, I don't care what they put
into that layout.... bottom line if you are a player, you need to drive a little to get to some of the courses that the local
people can speak of first hand about the current condition.... also it is always wise to call ahead if you are not familiar with
these courses and find out their maintenance schedule in advance..... sometimes they can even top dress without a lot of advance warning even at this time of year.
Always feel free to PM for specifics if I can help in any way.
Take care, Shawnee

[JB57]

I might as well throw in my two cent's as I have played quite a bit on vacation in the Sarasota area. First reguarding Bent Tree, I played there a year ago and found the course in poor condition and the help rude as was mention . Said I would never go back there, however it sounds as if there has been some changes made. Might try it again, but I also didn't find it that interesting. Now, Sarasota National located in Venice, I have never had a bad experience there or a slow round. I have played it at least 10 times and it has always been in great/top condition. I will say this last January, I wanted to hit some balls after the round and the range was closed as they were out of balls. The driving rage is a lake so I guess they have to wait until the balls float back to the shore.
My favorite courses:
1. Waterlefe
2. Misty Creek
3. University Park
4. Sarasota National
5. Legacy at Lakewood Ranch
6. Stoneybrook at Heritage Habour
7. River Strand

[Funderpants]

[quote name='shawnee' timestamp='1296949063' post='2954318']
[quote name='Funderpants' timestamp='1296481400' post='2939418']
[quote name='highscoreinky' timestamp='1296442721' post='2938745']
I agree with Shawnee that River Strand and Waterlefe are two great tracks in the Sarasota/Bradenton area to play. It is highly unlikely that I would ever play Bent Tree again(never say never). Played there in April of this year and the changes Funderpants talks about had not taken place at that time.

My dislike of Bent Tree wasn't just the course conditions or the total lack thereof it was also due to the absolute indifference that bordered on rudeness of the staff in the pro shop and the lounge/bar area.

To Funderpants: Have they actually done anything with that joke of a driving range they had in April?
[/quote]

You should give it another shot, they did a great good job fixing the place up. Pope golf management took it over and must have replaced a lot of staff, everyone is always friendly. I'll tell ya, the place must have been absolutely terrible before the change though. Because you're not the first to say the place was absolutely horrid.

The driving range is...eh. It's fine for warming up. Come to think of it, it seems most public and semi-private courses around the area have pretty crappy driving ranges. It's one of the reasons I've been looking at either joining Prestancia, University Park or The Meadows. Besides having nice courses, the practice facilities are great.

But, everyone raves about Sarasota National and I had the same experience in late October, closed driving range, 6 1/2 hour round, when I said something in the pro shop he was indifferent, course was in terrible shape and nothing scenic about the place at all. Yet, people rave about it.
[/quote]
Sarasota National is in Venice [url="http://www.sarasotanationalgolf.com/index.php"]The Link to Sarasota National[/url]
6 1/2 hour round and a closed range? That sounds like Sarasota Golf Club
[url="http://www.sarasotagc.com/golf/proto/sarasotagc/"]Sarasota Golf Club[/url]
a real choppers track if there ever was one...... would not catch me there or at Bent Tree, I don't care what they put
into that layout.... bottom line if you are a player, you need to drive a little to get to some of the courses that the local
people can speak of first hand about the current condition.... also it is always wise to call ahead if you are not familiar with
these courses and find out their maintenance schedule in advance..... sometimes they can even top dress without a lot of advance warning even at this time of year.
Always feel free to PM for specifics if I can help in any way.
Take care, Shawnee
[/quote]

lol, I guess we're all not players... Yup, Sarasota National in Venice. Closed range, 6 1/2 hour round. Guy in the clubhouse just kinda shrugged when we said something at the turn. I suppose everyone has bad experiences on great courses, I'll probably try it again this summer when the rates drop, no way I'd pay $60-70 with better and cheaper courses all over the place.

[AltusBeliever]

A friend of mine (who is a good player and knows golf courses) played Bent Tree last week and said it was in great shape and they had a good deal after noon tee off.
I'm headed to Sarasota next week. Looks like we get to play Gator Creek- the men only club!
I like Misty Creek too!

[Funderpants]

[quote name='AltusBeliever' timestamp='1296960053' post='2954702']
A friend of mine (who is a good player and knows golf courses) played Bent Tree last week and said it was in great shape and they had a good deal after noon tee off.
I'm headed to Sarasota next week. Looks like we get to play Gator Creek- the men only club!
I like Misty Creek too!
[/quote]

Wow, Gator Creek...nice score! That's about as exclusive as they come in SRQ.

My buddy and I usually play Wednesday late afternoon and Saturday early morning, if you're up for a round let me know.

Let us know how you like the courses and have fun.

[AltusBeliever]

[quote name='Funderpants' timestamp='1296960929' post='2954743']
[quote name='AltusBeliever' timestamp='1296960053' post='2954702']
A friend of mine (who is a good player and knows golf courses) played Bent Tree last week and said it was in great shape and they had a good deal after noon tee off.
I'm headed to Sarasota next week. Looks like we get to play Gator Creek- the men only club!
I like Misty Creek too!
[/quote]

Wow, Gator Creek...nice score! That's about as exclusive as they come in SRQ. Let us know how you like the courses.
[/quote]
I played it once before, maybe 25 hrs ago. Loved it. Also rumor we might play Founders Club, which is very nice I am told.

[Funderpants]

[quote name='AltusBeliever' timestamp='1296961996' post='2954784']
[quote name='Funderpants' timestamp='1296960929' post='2954743']
[quote name='AltusBeliever' timestamp='1296960053' post='2954702']
A friend of mine (who is a good player and knows golf courses) played Bent Tree last week and said it was in great shape and they had a good deal after noon tee off.
I'm headed to Sarasota next week. Looks like we get to play Gator Creek- the men only club!
I like Misty Creek too!
[/quote]

Wow, Gator Creek...nice score! That's about as exclusive as they come in SRQ. Let us know how you like the courses.
[/quote]
I played it once before, maybe 25 hrs ago. Loved it. Also rumor we might play Founders Club, which is very nice I am told.
[/quote]

I played founders last year, it's one of the only courses around here with caddies... Founders and the Ritz Members Club are actually it's the only one I can think of off the top of my head.

Sounds like you have the hook-up for some private course. If you're into golf history and some old courses, check out Sara Bay CC (formerly Whitfield Estates). It's a Donald Ross course, Bobby Jones (he was their real estate sales manager) and Walter Hagan played golfs "battle of the century" where Hagan destroyed Jones. Tommy Armour was their first golf pro and some of the pros of the day would go to play there on occasion. It was also the vacation spot for the Yankees, it has all of these old pictures of Babe Ruth and crew. I find all of that old golf stuff interesting.

[hos]

Wanted to thank everyone for their suggestions. Only got out twice and had to go to Bobby Jones British (got an invite to play from my father's friend and couldn't tell him no!), was pleasantly surprised at the experience. Course seemed to be decent shape and got a 4 some around in 4 hours for $37.
Per all your suggestions, had to try Misty Creek. Loved the place. Was out as a single at 7:30 and was 3 holes behind a 2-some and 3 holes ahead of a 4-some. Great experience and course. Can't say enough good things about the place. Shot an 81 with a triple on 9 from the middle of the fairway 117 out (ouch), but finally birdied in 16 and 18. Little rusty this time of year! Again, thanks for all your help.

[Titileist x7]

I just played at Sarasota National this past week.

The course, owned by Troon management, is everything that I expect out of a Troon course. The course was in great shape, the greens were pretty fast, wide fairways. A fun track.

The management is another story in and of itself. We were on vacation, so my dad was going just play out of my bag. There was no issue with this when we signed in, but the ranger chased us out to the first fairway to get his credit card to rent some clubs. They didn't have hot dogs (or any hot, non microwaveable food for that matter) and when we made a joke about this the guy working the counter (the pro?) made a smartass remark about how much money he makes out of the cooler.

I'd recommend the course in that it is very well maintained, the pace of play was fast (we tied off around 8 and were done before noon), price and the course isn't sandwiched between homes like most Florida courses. Don't expect 5* treatment or amenities though.