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David Neveux

Golf in and around Sarasota / Tamap Area; Recommendations
« on: February 28, 2008, 08:28:32 PM »
A good friend of mine will be vacationing in the area for about a week.  He was asking if I had any insight as to where he should look for a game.  I'm unfamiliar with this area and figured I would turn to the GCA crowd, as you guys have never steered me wrong before.

Sarasota / Tampa area
Within an hour
Public Access


Thanks in advance, sincerely,

D.P.N

Tommy Williamsen

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in and around Sarasota / Tamap Area; Recommendations
« Reply #1 on: February 28, 2008, 08:51:20 PM »
David, I played a club called Sara Bay.  It is private but if your friend can get on it is pretty good course on some relatively ordinary land.  Ross did it and they just did some work on it.

Old Memorial is a treat.  Again it is private but it has great rooms and one of the best locker rooms in the country.  The owners own Outback so the steaks arae second to none, except maybe Sand Hills
Where there is no love, put love; there you will find love.
St. John of the Cross

"Deep within your soul-space is a magnificent cathedral where you are sweet beyond telling." Rumi

Greg Ohlendorf

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in and around Sarasota / Tamap Area; Recommendations
« Reply #2 on: February 28, 2008, 08:51:58 PM »
David,

This might be a few minutes more than an hour, but World Woods Pine Barrens Course in Brooksville, FL would be well worth the trip.

Greg

John_Cullum

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in and around Sarasota / Tamap Area; Recommendations
« Reply #3 on: February 28, 2008, 09:30:08 PM »
There's a pretty decent course near Brandon called Bloomingdale. Its public and pretty reasonably priced.
"We finally beat Medicare. "

Steve_Lovett

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in and around Sarasota / Tamap Area; Recommendations
« Reply #4 on: February 28, 2008, 10:51:15 PM »
I played the Legacy Club at Lakewood Ranch earlier this week (Palmer, 1997) with a business associate.  It's in Bradenton/Sarasota and very much a cart-ball real estate golf course, but it does have a few very wide interesting holes which invite alternative strategies.  It's far from great - but it's close.

In the Tampa area you'd be hard-pressed to beat the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook.


Andy Hughes

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in and around Sarasota / Tampa Area; Recommendations
« Reply #5 on: February 29, 2008, 10:37:01 AM »
The Venetian, just south of Sarasota (and ditto what Tommy said about Sara Bay, though you asked for public). 

World Woods is a fine course, but likely closer to 2 hours than 1.

"Perhaps I'm incorrect..."--P. Mucci 6/7/2007

Doug Sobieski

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in and around Sarasota / Tamap Area; Recommendations
« Reply #6 on: February 29, 2008, 12:02:11 PM »
David:

Within an hour of Tampa and public, have him try Bridgewater in Lakeland (Steve Smyers). It's right off I-4 and easy to get to. Brad Klein had a very favorable review in Golfweek after it opened. I played it a year ago, and for central Florida, it's a lot of fun.

Regards,

Doug

Tom Roewer

Re: Golf in and around Sarasota / Tamap Area; Recommendations
« Reply #7 on: February 29, 2008, 05:29:26 PM »
He should give Innisbrook Copperhead a try.  It's sooo good, and it will be soon after the PODS Tournament next week.

Chris Avore

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in and around Sarasota / Tamap Area; Recommendations
« Reply #8 on: February 29, 2008, 08:13:27 PM »
I was in Tampa Tuesday and played World Woods/Pine Barrens.  Definitely a unique track for the area and would recommend it.  Took only about 50 minutes from the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay to the course going against traffic.

I had originally tried to get on Innisbrook/Copperhead but they said they required overnight resort stays to be allowed on the course (no walk-ons, either).

There's a write-up of Pine Barrens on GCA too if you're interested...

------------------------------------------------------------------------
my photos from a few courses around the world:
http://flickr.com/photos/erova/collections/72157600394512195/

Jim_Kennedy

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in and around Sarasota / Tamap Area; Recommendations
« Reply #9 on: March 08, 2008, 12:34:24 AM »
I just played Bridgewater($50.00- quite a ride from Sarasota) and if they get the greens in shape it will be fun. There is not much worse(golf) than a good challenge spoiled by coarse, bumpy, patchy and predictably, slow putting surfaces. Although huge, you better have a good short game as just about every green is elevated and well protected. There are few trees and a ton of wind, but most of the holes are wide enough, even in the 30 mph I faced. 

Sadly, another interesting Steve Smyers course with poor greens is Cypress Creek($37.00-exit 240). They swapped out their surfaces to (I think) Champion grass. Unless I am mistaken, this stuff sucks, period.

The University Club($50.00-exit 213, I think) has opened up for some public play but it's greens are, once again, less than fun to putt. See Bridgewater.

OakFord's($50.00-exit 210) greens were a step above all the above ^, but not as good as past seasons.

The Arthur Hill's course, River Strand($40.00- exit 220),  has some interesting holes and very good  putting surfaces, but is somewhat disjointed due to some incredibly long rides. Two nice touches, a Biarritz on the front and a rectangle green w/rectangle bunker at the par 5, 18th.

Sarasota National ($70.00-a few miles south of Venice on rt 41) was fun and the greens were OK.

Bobcat Trail($30.00- exit 179) is fun and it requires some thought, but they too swapped out their green surfaces and they are very slow, I tired out around the middle of the round.
 
The best greens for putting on any of the course I played are at Ron Garl's Kingsway GC ($45.00-exit 170), they were firm, fast, smooth, and the ball rolled where you aimed it. It's a private club that lost it's clubhouse and a few 1,000 trees in the last devastating hurricane, which is why they are open for some outside play. Another course that requires some thought.   

One thing that most of these places had in common were very tight and firm fairways, you really need to be concious of roll.  Also, most of the prices I quoted are afternoon rates.


Hope this was useful.       
"I never beat a well man in my life" - Harry Vardon

Wade Whitehead

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in and around Sarasota / Tamap Area; Recommendations
« Reply #10 on: March 08, 2008, 11:30:55 AM »
Pine Barrens is a must play, and Rolling Oaks isn't far behind.  If you're anywhere near by, and can work out playing either or both, I urge you to.

In January, I played a small club near the St. Pete airport called Bardmoor, and enjoyed it.  There were several good holes, and it was in great shape.

I was also impressed with Southern Hills Plantation, a new Dye design.  Like Bardmoor, it's private.

WW

Tom Roewer

Re: Golf in and around Sarasota / Tamap Area; Recommendations
« Reply #11 on: March 12, 2008, 12:01:14 PM »
ww - Bardmoor is not private.  There is a private club - The Bayou Club that was built where the original East and South Bardmoor courses were, but Bardmoor is open to public play and used to host the Penney's Mixed Team Event (PGA 7 LPGA 2 player teams) before it moved to Innisbrook for a brief time.

SL_Solow

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in and around Sarasota / Tamap Area; Recommendations
« Reply #12 on: March 12, 2008, 05:07:41 PM »
Jim;  Interested in an elaboration of your critique of Champions bermuda.  How long since it was propagated.  Flaws?  Speed?  Smoothness?  Coverage?

Jim_Kennedy

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in and around Sarasota / Tamap Area; Recommendations
« Reply #13 on: March 13, 2008, 12:27:08 PM »
SL,

The swaps were less than one year old,  done late spring/summer of '07.

-The blades of grass seemed coarse/thick.
-Speed was poor/slow.
-Bumpy ride to the hole.
-Patchy coverage

It was very hard to predict how the ball would react when pitched or chipped, sometimes they would bite, others would skip.

Ball marks were nearly non-existent, even on watered surfaces, and trying to repair one was like stretching carpet.

These greens don't break!!!!! Seriously, if you have what looks like 6" in a 10' putt, just slam it straight at the cup 'cause it won't take the break. This happens whether or not you are putting away from, into, or at an angle to the sun. There is no rhyme or reason in assessing the grain.

Maybe Champion is a slow-to-mature hybrid and my assessment of it is all wrong, I'll let you know in '10.  ;D




 
"I never beat a well man in my life" - Harry Vardon

Bill Crane

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in and around Sarasota / Tamap Area; Recommendations
« Reply #14 on: February 06, 2018, 01:09:10 PM »
Hello Treehouse.   Will be in Sarasota,FL Friday Feb 9, Sat 10th and Sunday 11th and looking for a game.


Trying to find a connection to Sara Bay but no luck yet.   May have to get the Pro from our club involved.


Happy to meet any GCAers at any reasonable course for a round.


Also - happy for suggestions public access wise.


Thanks in Advance - and a good opportunity to update the info on this thread.


Bill
_________________________________________________________________
( s k a Wm Flynnfan }

Rob_Waldron

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in and around Sarasota / Tamap Area; Recommendations
« Reply #15 on: February 07, 2018, 11:30:25 AM »
I have now lived in Tampa for nearly five years. Here is my list of the best Daily Fee Courses in the market in no particular order:


TPC Tampa Bay
Fox Hollow
Lakewood National
Lake Jovita South
Lake Jovita North
Southern Hills Plantation
World Woods Pine Barrens
World Woods Rolling Oaks
Innisbrook - Copperhead
Innisbrook - Island


Enjoy!




Conley Hurst

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in and around Sarasota / Tamap Area; Recommendations
« Reply #16 on: February 07, 2018, 03:50:16 PM »
My dad and I have visited the Tampa area a few times for a winter golf weekend. 


Not counting Streamsong, Innisbrook and World Woods are our favorite spots.


Old Memorial is a really special club and a fantastic course (highly underrated, I think) but can be tough to get on.


For a "hidden gem," check out Dunedin GC. A fun (albeit a little overgrown) Ross course that was the home of the PGA of America a while back. Greens fees are quite cheap. Ideal for a late afternoon game!

Terry Lavin

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in and around Sarasota / Tamap Area; Recommendations
« Reply #17 on: February 07, 2018, 09:36:33 PM »
...
« Last Edit: February 08, 2018, 08:52:20 AM by Terry Lavin »
Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people.  H.L. Mencken

Rob_Waldron

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in and around Sarasota / Tamap Area; Recommendations
« Reply #18 on: February 08, 2018, 10:02:38 AM »
Of course the three courses at Streamsong are also open to the public. In season rates are very high and caddies / fore caddies are required. Club typically offers discounted rates to Fl residents or those accompanied by FL residents in the off season.


There are several very good private clubs in the Tampa area. Most require that you be sponsored or accompanied by a member:


Palma Ceia CC
Avila CC
Old Memorial
Feather Sound
The Concession
Founders Club
Black Diamond Ranch
Belleaire CC
Cypress Run


If you are a member of a ClubCorp facility, you can readily access these courses that are owned by ClubCorp:
Countryside CC
East Lake Woodlands
Tampa Palms
Hunters Green


Concert Golf owns Carrollwood CC north of Tampa


BTW the temps are in the mid to high 70's all this week!




Kyle Harris

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in and around Sarasota / Tamap Area; Recommendations
« Reply #19 on: February 08, 2018, 10:49:27 AM »
Of course the three courses at Streamsong are also open to the public. In season rates are very high and caddies / fore caddies are required. Club typically offers discounted rates to Fl residents or those accompanied by FL residents in the off season.

Caddies are not mandatory at Streamsong. Walking only until April 1. Forecaddies required with all carts. Walking anytime.
http://kylewharris.com

Constantly blamed by 8-handicaps for their 7 missed 12-footers each round.

Thank you for changing the font of your posts. It makes them easier to scroll past.

JReese

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in and around Sarasota / Tamap Area; Recommendations
« Reply #20 on: February 13, 2018, 03:25:11 PM »

Bill - wondering where you ended up playing and if it's worth a look.  Heading down that way in a couple months and debating whether or not to stay close or make the drive to Streamsong.

Hello Treehouse.   Will be in Sarasota,FL Friday Feb 9, Sat 10th and Sunday 11th and looking for a game.


Trying to find a connection to Sara Bay but no luck yet.   May have to get the Pro from our club involved.


Happy to meet any GCAers at any reasonable course for a round.


Also - happy for suggestions public access wise.


Thanks in Advance - and a good opportunity to update the info on this thread.


Bill
"Bunkers are not places of pleasure; they are for punishment and repentance." - Old Tom Morris

Scott Senior

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in and around Sarasota / Tamap Area; Recommendations
« Reply #21 on: February 13, 2018, 03:55:28 PM »

Bill - wondering where you ended up playing and if it's worth a look.  Heading down that way in a couple months and debating whether or not to stay close or make the drive to Streamsong.

Hello Treehouse.   Will be in Sarasota,FL Friday Feb 9, Sat 10th and Sunday 11th and looking for a game.


Trying to find a connection to Sara Bay but no luck yet.   May have to get the Pro from our club involved.


Happy to meet any GCAers at any reasonable course for a round.





Also - happy for suggestions public access wise.




Thanks in Advance - and a good opportunity to update the info on this thread.


Bill






Question wasn't for me BUT Streaming IS worth the drive.

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