Great Golfing on the Gulf Coast

By Ryan G. Van Cleave | February 2022

Like so many kids of the 80s and 90s, I dabbled with golf as a child, but when the movie Happy Gilmore came out in 1996, I was hooked on golf for good. Now, I don’t take a running start or use a hockey swing in the tee box like Adam Sandler’s character does, but I do appreciate the incredible rush of satisfaction when my Big Bertha driver connects perfectly, and that ball just cuts through the sky like it’s never coming down. 

Lucky for me that my career brought me to Sarasota, where the golfing options are legion, and the courses are terrific. I haven’t yet had the opportunity to play them all, but I’ve been here since 2008 so I’ve gotten to try most of them. Without further ado, here are my some of my favorites (in alphabetical order, not in order of awesomeness or the golf score I got while there).

Founders Golf Club—I played in the Carlton Fisk Celebrity Classic here years ago and found this Robert Trent Jones Jr. design challenging—especially on the back tees. The Old Florida feel of the main golf hall is stunning.  Try the “Nine & Dine” package!

Heritage Oaks Golf and Country Club—The bunkers are fair, and the sand is fluffy. It’s earned a “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” designation through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, which is endorsed by the USGA. You’ve got to love a golf course that’s committed to valuing the environment.

Laurel Oak Country Club—A nice pool, loads of well-lit Har-Tru tennis courts, and two golf courses (one designed by Gary Player and the other by Rees Jones) that include multiple tees to challenge anyone, regardless of their handicap. Enjoy the native wildlife and vegetation that creates a great outdoorsy feel.

The Meadows Country Club—This private club got three golf courses (two are par 72, one is par 65), 17 Har-Tru tennis courts, and a junior Olympic pool. The carts have GPS, which is pretty darn nice. This lovely place would be fantastic for weddings or events.

Misty Creek Country Club—This Ted McAnlis designed par-72 course is set on 730 acres of wetland areas and live oak forests, so it’s incredibly beautiful and peaceful. Just watch out for raccoons—they sometimes sneak up from the vegetation and shadows to go after snacks in your cart! (Somebody owes me half a Snickers bar!)

The Palms Golf Club at Forest Lakes—Since this is mere minutes from the keys (Siesta, Bird, and Lido), this course is ideal for beach-area vacationers. This Gordy Lewis par 64 course is just challenging enough to meet the needs of most golfers. (The longest hole, the par-5 third hole, has water crossing the fairway about 220 yards out, and there’s big water on the left—go straight and long or go SPLASH!)

Sara Bay Country Club—Designed by Donald Ross, this private, member-owned course near downtown Sarasota is quite walkable. Enjoy wide fairways that are lined with Florida pines and mossy oaks. (For those who care about such things, I nailed seven pars on this baby pre-COVID. Oh yeah!)

University Park Country Club—This semi-private club has 27 holes designed by Ron Garl in a natural paradise setting and the club offers 11 lighted Har-Tru tennis courts. Both the Park Grille and Café and the Lakeside room now boast a contemporary coastal vibe that’s terrific. Inside the large dining room that overlooks the course and lake, there’s plenty of separation between tables, which is great for one’s peace of mind these days. (The signature hole is #5, which has an intimidating body of water and big bunker between you and the pin. Trust that the wide green will be there for you if you select the right club.)

Village Green Golf Club—With a lot of par threes (18-hole, par 58), this is an affordable place to get out those irons and practice, practice, practice. I find the pace of play to be pretty fast here, which is a good thing in my book.

University Park Country Club’s Head Golf Pro, Ashley Hayden, touts how important golf is to our community. “It generates an incredible amount of revenue by creating jobs and stimulating the economy. It’s also a haven for our members and a one-of-a-kind experience for our guests.” If you’re still struggling to get to—or under!—par, he offers this helpful tip, which has shaved a few strokes off my own game. “Golfers, get out of your head! Stop overthinking and be patient with yourselves.”

So, I’ll be working to keep my focus on the fairways and greens and not in my own head as I continue my ongoing task of playing every single course in Sarasota County. If you see me out on the links, come by and say, “Howdy!” Just not during my backswing.

And if you ever see me doing my Happy Gilmore impression in a tee box, just walk slowly away and pretend it never happened.