SARASOTA, Fla. — Sarasota's historic Bobby Jones Golf Course shut down in 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since then, the clubhouse has been demolished, and the nearly 300-acre property has become overgrown. But the park could see new life in 2022, and Sarasota county commissioners are set to decide what that future will look like.
On the agenda for Monday's special city commission meeting are a number of decisions regarding renovations for the Bobby Jones Golf Course site, including:
- a proposed development contract to build 18 regulation golf holes, 9 adjustable holes and a driving range
- a proposal for the design and construction of a new clubhouse
- a request from Sarasota County to develop a regional playground on 12 acres of the property
- a request to continue negotiations with Indigo Golf Partners for management of the golf course
- and a proposed conservation easement between the city and the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast for 261 acres of the property and a fundraising agreement for the nature park.
An agreement with the conservation foundation would allow for the protection and conservation of the waterways, native plants and animals on the property. The foundation is working to ensure that the site always remains an outdoor recreation space for the public.
According to the foundation's website, the Bobby Jones Golf Course property plays a significant environmental role for the region as it's home to more than 45 species of birds and many other wildlife species.
It also notes that "enormous volumes of storm water" are retained and filtered by the property before flowing into Sarasota Bay.
An architect who wants to restore the course to its former glory - originally designed by Donald Ross, the man known for designing Pinehurst in North Carolina - Richard Mandell told 10 Tampa Bay about the vision for the new course.
“We’re faithfully restoring those Ross holes per his drawings and notes. The only difference is the presence of great lovely live oaks that weren’t there in 1925. The course was pretty much barren at the time and so without creating undo expense for the city of Sarasota we’re trying to preserve a good amount of those live oaks," Mandell said.
The Bobby Jones Golf Course, named after the famous golfer, has historical ties in Sarasota dating back to 1904.
Sarasota city commissioners' meetings are streamed live on their website. You can voice your comments about the future of the Bobby Jones Golf Course and listen in to the commissioners' discussion here.
