University Park Golf Course: A Premier Community and Golfing Destination

Sarasota and Manatee counties boast a rich golf history, with over 90 golf courses dotting the landscape. The story began in 1905 when John Hamilton Gillespie constructed the first nine-hole course in downtown Sarasota. For fifteen years, it stood as the area's only golfing option. However, in 1924, the course was sold for development, leaving Sarasota without a golf course. This void was later filled with the construction of the first 18-hole golf course at the Whitfield Estates Country Club, attracting famed golf promoters like Bobby Jones, "Sir Walter" Hagen, and George Adair. The course's prestige was further elevated by its architect, Donald Ross, who designed over 400 courses in his career, including four in Manatee and Sarasota County. Among these historical courses, University Park Golf Course stands out as a premier golfing and residential destination.

A Master-Planned Community

University Park is a master-planned community that offers a combination of natural beauty, upscale homes, and a range of amenities. Behind a secured, staffed entrance lies an award-winning, resident-owned community. The community spans 1,226 acres, featuring approximately one upscale home per acre. Residents enjoy 27 holes of championship golf, eleven lighted Har-Tu tennis courts, four pickleball courts, a fitness center, croquet facilities, and miles of tree-lined streets perfect for walking or biking. First-class dining options further enhance the living experience.

Located just four miles from downtown Sarasota, University Park provides convenient access to the city's vibrant arts scene, museums, shopping, dining, and healthcare facilities. A short 15-minute drive leads to some of America's finest beaches, outdoor recreation areas like Nathan Benderson Park, the Ringling Museum, boating opportunities, and St. Armands Circle.

The Vision Behind the Development

The development of University Park was a challenging yet rewarding endeavor. Pat Neal, along with his British partner Rolf Pasold, acquired the property in 1979-80 from State Farm insurance executives. Among these owners were influential Florida politicians, including insurance commissioner Bill Gunter and education commissioner Ralph Turlington.

Neal partnered with Pasold, an entrepreneur and England's largest manufacturer of children's wear, who provided the financial resources to bring the project to fruition. As a result of this partnership, University Park Country Club streets bear English names, such as Devonshire Place, Albermarle, and Notting Hill.

A Tranquil Entrance

One of the defining features of University Park is its entrance. The long, winding drive through a forest creates a sense of tranquility and escape. Becky Suverkrup, president of the University Park Women's Club, describes it as a feeling that soothes the spirit and lowers the blood pressure.

Pat Neal recalls laying out the entrance with his son, John, emphasizing the preservation of wetlands and old-growth forests. The twisting entry serves as a reminder of the property's history as a hunting preserve owned by the State Farm Insurance executives.

A Thriving Community

University Park Country Club is close to buildout, with new homes still being sold in neighborhoods like Grosvenor Gardens, Wimbledon, and Lansdowne Crescent. The community is home to a diverse group of residents, including inventors, authors, doctors, entrepreneurs, and personalities.

Residents are actively involved in shaping their community. John Whyte, the elected resident representative for the University Park Community Association, highlights the community's ability to mobilize when necessary. The association manages the privately owned roads, landscaping, sewage system, and retention ponds.

Championship Golf

University Park Country Club features 27 holes of championship golf designed by Ron Garl. The course has earned a 4-star rating from Golf Digest in their "Places to Play." Garl skillfully utilized the land's topography, creating a beautiful course from the woodlands and natural habitat. Many holes feature fairways lined with trees and natural Florida vegetation, offering ample landing areas off the tee. While water is visible on several holes, it primarily comes into play on about 12 of them.

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The course offers six sets of tees, accommodating players of all skill levels. Each nine-hole course presents unique challenges and opportunities.

Holes 1-9

From the back (Diamond) tees, Holes 1-9 play 3,548 yards. Most golfers will be amply challenged from the Platinum tees (3,023 yards), while the ladies’ yardage is 2,394 yards. Number 2 is a par 5 that will be reachable in two for many players and can help get a good round off to a quick start. It’s not often that bogey can be considered a good score, but it is on Number 3, the layout’s #1 handicapped hole. It’s a dogleg right that slopes to the right, so unless you know you have the length, cutting the dogleg is not a good idea; that is unless you enjoy hunting for golf balls. A good line off the tee is the fairway bunker on the left with a little bit of a fade. The par 3, number 5 is University Park’s signature hole and at only 140 yards from the Platinum tees, it provides many with a fitting challenge. You may want to consider hitting one extra club off the tee in an effort to clear the front bunker that sees a lot of play.

Holes 10-18

Holes 10-18 are roughly the same length as 1-9 (3,456 from the Diamond, 3,072 from the Platinum and 2,481 for then ladies), with water factoring into the equation on all but two holes (13 and 14). This side starts out with a somewhat short par 4 - 342 yards from the Platinum tees - but don’t let that fool you. Although the fairway opens up to the right just past the trees, there’s a pond lurking over there. If you can favor the left side off the tee, you’ll be left with a medium to short iron into a wide green. The two finishing holes on this side really set this nine apart. Number 17 is the #1 handicapped hole and, at only 359 yards from the Platinum tees, requires an extremely accurate tee shot to a very narrow landing area with water on the right. Number 18 (379 yards, Platinum Tees) has always been one of my favorites out here and I have yet to master it. There’s water on the right side off the tee and trust me, it is reachable. Shorter right off the tee and you’re in the fairway bunker. From here you’ll need to carry not only the water but also navigate around or over a couple of trees, all from the sand. Good luck! The left side is no bargain either as a cluster of bunkers await errantly hit shots. Find the fairway off the tee and your chances to score well here increase dramatically. There’s a large trap that guards the right side of the green, which is open in the front left.

Holes 19-27

Holes 19-27 play slightly longer than the other two nines (3,151 yards from the Platinum Tees, 2,468 for the ladies). Number 21 (384 yards from the Platinum Tees) is yet another hole at University Park that requires accuracy off the tee. Even a good drive is going to leave a long second shot that needs to be struck crisply. Hole Number 26 is a challenging par 5. Although water doesn’t - or at least shouldn’t -come into play, what it lacks in water, it makes up for in sand. You’ll need to avoid the fairway bunkers on the right off the tee; longball hitters may have an opportunity to go for the green in two. If you find yourself having to layup, there’s a series of three bunkers about 100 yards short of the green in the middle of the fairway. The green is best approached from the left side. The final hole is the shortest par 4 on the course. Playing a mere 330 yards from the Platinum Tees, a well struck tee shot over the first fairway bunker on the left will leave a short iron or wedge into one of the course’s smallest greens.

Amenities and Lifestyle

University Park Country Club offers a range of amenities and activities for its members. The club features a full-length driving range, a short game area, and a large practice green. The pro shop is stocked with golf apparel and equipment from top brands.

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The culinary staff, led by Executive Chef Roger Turtch, creates dining experiences using fresh ingredients. Members can enjoy lunch at The Park Grille & Café, which offers a diverse menu of burgers, sandwiches, soups, and salads.

The community also boasts a vibrant social scene. The Park Larks, a singing group drawn from the University Park Women's Club, performs throughout Manatee and Sarasota counties. The University Park Women's Club is actively involved in charitable work, supporting organizations like Just for Girls and All Faiths Food Bank.

Membership Opportunities

University Park Country Club offers various membership options, including 30, 60, and 90-day trial memberships, summer golf memberships, and annual memberships. These memberships provide access to the club's facilities and activities.

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