Sarasota’s city-owned Bobby Jones Golf Club—located between Fruitville Road and 17th Street—has seen many changes since it first opened to the public nearly a century ago, but it’s on the cusp of maybe its biggest makeover yet. After years of neglect, followed by a long process of rehabilitation and reinvention while it was closed for business, the club is set to reopen in early November with a major new element: a public nature park. 

Bobby Jones used to be home to 45 holes, but that number has been reduced as part of the City of Sarasota’s plan to revamp the facility. The new layout will feature one 18-hole course and a driving range with 65 hitting stations that will open in early November, plus a nine-hole, par-three “short course” that will open at a later date. According to city parks and recreation team member Sue Martin, it’s just a matter of waiting for the grass to grow in before the extra holes will be available. 

Freshening Up 

The original Bobby Jones opened in 1926 and was mapped out by influential course designer Donald Ross. As part of the rehab process, course architect Richard Mandell was hired to add subtle tweaks to Ross’ original design. Holes are being lengthened, for example, because advances in club design have made it easier to hit the ball farther than it was 100 years ago. Each hole will also have seven tee boxes to allow people of all ages and abilities to compete—creating what is known in the industry as “tee shot equity.”  

Transitional Housing 

Don't expect a full clubhouse at the new course just yet. While future plans do call for a permanent clubhouse, a temporary modular building will serve as the clubhouse when it reopens. Still, you can expect all the normal amenities, like restrooms, food and beverage service, and more. 

Short and Sweet 

Mandell designed the new nine-hole short course so it can be played in multiple ways. That means the configuration of the holes can change from week to week or even day to day. The goal is to offer golfers a different experience each time they play, and to give them a reason to return for multiple rounds. 

Take a Walk 

Besides golf, the property will also be home to a nature park streaked with concrete and crushed shell paths for walking and biking. The park will be free and open to the public from sunup to sundown, with water features and plenty of natural elements to attract wildlife. (In addition to alligators and several bird species, predators like bobcats have been spotted on the property.) The park is also designed to act as a natural filter for water that flows from the north into a canal that eventually leads to Phillippi Creek, providing an ecological benefit to the whole region.