The spectacular par 3, 4th hole at Legacy Golf Club
For those who prefer their
Florida
golf-travel destinations on the quieter, less crowded side, consider
Sarasota.
This medium-sized city on the Gulf Coast just south of
Bradenton
and about 50 miles south of
Tampa
has a leisurely feel to it with a modest skyline of bank and apartment buildings that lets you breathe.
First settled by the Scots around 1884, the city is noted for citrus and fishing.
A long established winter retreat for snowbirds, Sarasota was also the winter home
of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus until it moved to
Venice
a few miles further down the coast. The reason the circus wintered here was the railroad.
The Circus Museum remains one of Sarasota's featured attractions.
When you visit, don't forget the keys to the city. Separated from the city to the west on
the other side of the intracoastal waterway is a whole chorus line of barrier islands including famed
Longboat
and Siesta keys. These thin strips of land stretch for miles and miles and feature upscale waterfront
homes and Mediterranean style mansions, clean gated apartment complexes, yacht clubs, and golf clubs.
The keys' jagged edges form quaint coves that make wonderful exploring in an easy-to-rent motor boat.
When you tire of golf or boating (fishing?) and want to go shopping or just browsing, Sarasota has
bookstores, art galleries and shops offering all kinds of curios and fine restaurants. You won't want
to miss St. Armands Circle, an enclave of shops and restaurants located just off the
Ringling Causeway and just south of Longboat. Attracting strolling shoppers from all over the world,
the circle is a traffic circle turned into a bazaar with a small lushly landscaped park in the center.
For pricey but outstanding gourmet seafood, try Charley's Crab House.
Pack Your Clubs...on to the Courses
The 90-mile stretch from
Tampa
down to Venice
includes dozens of fine golf courses, most of which are located in the many developments typical of the
Sunshine State. While population growth and development is not as fast in
Sarasota as
elsewhere in the state, it looms as a threat to the old-style atmosphere. And while the merchants and
politicians might welcome growth, some traditionalists don't look forward to the changes. "When you
head back north," one golf partner said, "don't write about us."
I was in Sarasota over the Christmas holidays in 1999 into early 2000 and played the
following courses. Keep in mind, course conditions vary throughout the year. It always
pays to phone ahead and inquire.
University Park
Located a few miles west of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport on University Parkway
is University Park, a sprawling upscale development with 27 holes. Designed by Ron Garl,
the holes weave around lakes, environmental areas and ranch-style homes. There are lots
of trees on the site and some modest elevation changes. The holes are well designed and will
be enjoyable for players of all levels. The price tag is quite high, an irritant given the relatively poor
condition of the greens. Overseeding had not yet taken hold and the greens were a bit coarse. If money
is no object, go ahead and play this excellent course anyway.
Legacy Golf Club at Lakewood Ranch
Five miles east of University Park on the same parkway is this Arnold Palmer design. Managed
by Troon Golf, one of the best course management companies, the course and conditions were
excellent. The front 9 offers some of the best holes I have ever played in the U.S. and include the
very long par-5 second, the 380-yard 3rd, and the 200-yard 4th, the signature hole. Number 2 is
539 yards from the back and requires a tee shot over a marsh to the bend of a left dogleg. From
there the hole veers slightly uphill to the green. Number 3 requires a drive to a plateau landing area
over a corner of a large lake. It, too, is a dogleg left to a green adjacent to the lake that also serves
as the major feature (and hazard) of the spectacular 4th, a 200-yard exercise in nerve steadying.
Here, you either hit the green or your wet left or sandy right. But regardless of score, this is a visual
delight. The rest of the course continues to take an interesting, varied route around lakes and ponds
and over mounds (in some places). On the back 9, development of homes mars an otherwise savory
golfing jaunt that ends with a treacherous finishing hole of 470 yards from the back tees. Not to worry,
there are five sets of tees on this par-72 layout stretching from 4,886 to 7,067 yards. The fee is also a bit pricey.
Heron Creek
This Arthur Hills layout in Venice is also recommended, for its quality and fair fee. Opened in early 1999,
the course is not yet matured but the layout is excellent with lots of interesting designs around water,
pines and marsh. The front nine is a bit more beautiful than the back, but both nines will offer fine
shotmaking opportunities, visual treats and one or two frustrating moments. A great deal of earth moving
was done to create the course, particularly on the 10th hole and adjacent practice area. It is promoted as
one of the highest points in Florida,but accept that with a grain of salt. It is still an interesting landscape.
Arguably the best hole is the 8th, a 360-yard dogleg over a marsh to a very tight landing area flanked right
by traps and left by a lake. Navigate the tee shot safely and you have a wedge in to a fairly severely sloped
green. Put it on your list but expect hard greens, due to their immaturity.
Pelican Pointe and Heritage Oaks
Pelican Pointe and
Heritage Oaks
are two medium-priced development courses typical of Florida. They are definitely worth playing for the
price but don't look for pristine scenery except in snatches. Lots of homes are going up around both courses.
Calusa Lakes
Calusa Lakes
is one of the best development courses in the area, a delightful design of Ted McAnlis, a local favorite.
A moderately challenging and delightfully sculpted layout stretching up to 6,700 yards from the back, the course
has generous fairways and lots of water, with some mounding. Trees also abound on a course whose scenic
features are preserved because the homes on generous lots are well set back. The price is right, too.
Bent Tree Country Club
Bent Tree Country Club,
a private golf club a few miles east of I-75 (the major north-south route west of the city) features a
superior traditional layout that is truly a delight to play. Attractive homes are well out of play on this
venue that hosted the LPGA's Sarasota Classic from 1978 to 1988. Nancy Lopez loved it. After all,
she won her first professional tournament here and her 35th, putting her into the Hall of Fame. This is a
small, member equity club that is seeking to enhance revenues. As of January 2000, the club was
considering a number of proposals including exclusive arrangements with several Sarasota hotels, in the
same fashion as The Dunes in Myrtle Beach. In the meantime, call Director of Golf Mark Trotter and tell him
I sent you. 
