Renovated Bobby Jones Golf Club, nature park reopens to the public
SARASOTA — Its name will remain the same, the Bobby Jones Golf Club, but considering the modernization done to the facility named after the founder of the Augusta National Golf Club, a tagline might be appropriate.
Back to the future.
Friday, from 9 a.m. to noon, the public gets the chance to participate in the grand reopening of the nearly 100-year-old club and new nature park, located at 1000 Circus Blvd.
“This will be a day to celebrate and remember,” Sarasota mayor Liz Alpert said. “Our historic municipal golf course has been restored and is a beautiful amenity for the community. There’s no question Bobby Jones will be an urban oasis for those who enjoy green space and being outdoors, for generations to come.”
Friday’s free event will include self-guided tours of the 199-acre course, tours of the 90-acre nature park, remarks from local dignitaries, a ceremonial first ball tee-off, and a commemorative keepsake for the first 450 attendees.
Those familiar with the former Bobby Jones Golf Course should notice the differences. Following extensive community discussion over a period of five years, last year, the City Commission unanimously approved downsizing Bobby Jones from 45 holes to 27. The non-golf green space, totaling nearly 100 acres, was designated a nature park.
The 18-hole course was designed with six tee boxes at varying distances, enabling golfers of all abilities to enjoy the course. The course yardage extends from 4,583 yards to 6,714 yards. For those who want to experience the course as famed architect Donald Ross originally planned, a special set of “Ross tees” allow golfers to play the par-71 course from the Ross distance of 6,240 yards.
In addition, there’s a driving range with 70 hitting stations, a 3.75-acre short-game area with three chipping greens and two teardrop target greens, and a 21,000-square-foot putting green. “There are an infinite number of shots and an infinite number of yardages that you can replicate,” course architect Richard Mandell said. “A temporary clubhouse exists, but will be replaced by a permanent one over time.
Mandel was asked about the course’s difficulty. “How good of a golfer are you?” he responded. When the guy said,“terrible,” Mandell said he would do fine. “And the reason you’ll be fine,” he said,”is because it’s got the wide fairways. Also six different sets of tees that work for you and your swing speed, and you’ll find it very manageable. It’s a forgiving course.
“The people who never saw it before, they’re going to come out and be very happy and impressed. If we embraced Donald Ross and we restored Donald Ross, it’s going to be fun and enjoyable, because that’s what he was all about.”
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Restored Bobby Jones Golf Club and nature park reopening to the public
