Fore! Golfing in Sarasota

While thinking of things to do outside in the fresh air during the COVID-19 pandemic, I happened to drive by Bobby Jones Golf Course on my way home. I have not played golf in years, but enjoyed it when I did and now Bobby Jones is undergoing changes with a smaller course and adding walking park…right up my alley! This got me thinking about the history of golf in my home town of Sarasota. It’s a very popular pastime, especially for retirees who move to the Sarasota area.  

Did you know that there are over 90 golf courses in the Sarasota/Manatee area? But Bobby Jones was one of the first ‘real’ courses. Was this the first golf course in America? Some say so. Let's let others argue about who was first, but to be sure, Sarasota was certainly a precursor of golf in the United States.

According to Sarasota History Alive, John Hamilton Gillespie built Sarasota's first golf course in 1905. It was a nine-hole course located in what is considered downtown today. It was Sarasota's only golf course until the 1920s. In 1924, the course was sold for development and Sarasota did not have a golf course. The first 18-hole course built was Whitfield Estates Country Club. To help promote the new course, famed golfer Bobby Jones came to Whitfield Estates at the request of the developers. The City of Sarasota was eager to build a golf course and purchased 290 acres, located 2 ½ miles from downtown, from the Palmer Estate and the East End Land Company. The 18-hole course was formally opened on Sunday, February 13, 1927, before a gallery of 1,500 golfers, with Bobby Jones as the star attraction and it was decided to name the course after Jones to “give it prestige.” The first members of the club read like a who's who of prominent early Sarasotans. Some of these members were early politicians Hugh Browning, Harry Higel, and of course, John Hamilton Gillespie, physicians Jack and Joseph Halton, landowners Owen Burns, Ralph Caples, Honore Palmer and J.H. Lord. The club drew up rules for the organization and by-laws for playing golf on the course. To play golf for the winter season cost $10. For those who did not want to commit to an entire season, the fee structure was $5 for one month, $2 for one week and 50 cents for one day.

During its eighty three years, Bobby Jones courses have challenged such immortals as Walter Hagen, Tommy Armour, Gene Sarazen and even the “Babe”, George Herman Ruth. Past LPGA greats including Patty Berg, Babe Dedrickson Zaharias and Louise Suggs made Bobby Jones a regular tour stop in the mid 1950’s. The current British Course record is 62 set by Sarasotan, Paul Azinger, in 1980. Over the years, Sarasota’s Bobby Jones Golf Complex attracted visitors from around the world who come to play the fairways and greens steeped in golfing history. And even after taking a dip in membership and revenues, it has been given new life as a smaller course with 27 holes and the surrounding 130 acres given over to green space, bike paths and nature trails. Hurrah!

After Whitfield Estates/SaraBay and Bobby Jones came Bent Tree, TPC Prestancia, Concession Club and on and on until now we have over 90 golf courses in our area! Some people worry about the future of golf, but to be honest I believe this game will always have a place in people’s hearts, whether it be for enjoying nature, exercise or competition…just get out there and enjoy! And if you are looking to buy a home in the Sarasota-Bradenton area that offers golf, let me know and I'll help you find just the right thing!

Here is a handy list of Sarasota Courses:

https://www.golflink.com/golf-courses/fl/sarasota/