Laurel Oak Country Club & Laurel Oaks Estates

An upscale country lifestyle is the theme of Laurel Oaks. No more than 430 homes will be built on its 813 acres and are surrounded by two 18-hole golf courses designed by Gary Player.

Laurel Oak Country Club is a private, member-owned club located in Sarasota, Florida. Its outstanding facilities include two championship golf courses crafted by Gary Player. The older course has been recently redesigned by Rees Jones, the famed "U.S. Open Doctor". The club's other amenities include 12 Har Tru tennis courts, a full-size heated swimming pool and a beautiful, newly renovated 45,000 square foot clubhouse.

The club is nestled on over 800 peaceful acres near downtown Sarasota with its renowned arts and cultural district, and within easy reach of the finest beaches in Florida. The club is sited in a magnificent gated residential community of over 400 single family homes. However, because the club enjoys such a widespread excellent reputation, a majority of the membership resides outside the community.

Currently in MY Florida Regional MLS:

There are 34 active home listings priced from $399,000 to $1,750,000.

There are 3 Sale Pending homes priced from $475,000 to $699,000.

There have been 14 homes Sold this year priced from $400,000 to $1,050,000.

There are currently 4 Short Sale homes available for sale.

The Herron Group / RE/MAX Alliance Group Nick Herron and Kathleen Herron would like to show you any of these Laurel Oak homes for sale or any other of our Sarasota area golf course communities.

Beach, Bay or Back Nine…Live the Dream

Sarasota's Golf Courses Produced for The Herron Group

Several of Sarasota Florida's Golf Course communities.

"The Oaks Club" One of Sarasota’s Premiere Country Clubs in Osprey, Florida

Just North of Historical Spanish Point in Osprey, Florida is the “Oaks,” one of Sarasota’s premiere Country Clubs offering two eighteen hole courses and some of the best tennis facilities. The Oaks community is divided into three areas. The Oaks Bayside is just North of Spanish Point on the Bay and the Oaks Clubside is across the street with single family homes around the golf courses. The Oaks also has a third area called the Preserve it is just North of Oaks Bayside and has some single family and the Meridian condos overlooking the Bay.


According to My Florida Regional Multiple Listing Service as of this date:

Oaks Bayside: There are 14 active single family homes on the market for sale priced from $535,000 to $8,990,000. There is 2 sale pending and there have been 5 sold this year.

Oaks Clubside: There are 36 active single family homes on the market for sale priced from $699,000 to $3,600,000. There is 1 sale pending and there have been 8 single family homes sold this year.

Oaks Preserve: There are 9 active single family homes on the market for sale priced from $209,000 to $639,000. There have been 2 single family homes that sold this year.

Oaks Preserve: There are 22 active condos for sale priced from $245,000 to $1,975,000. There are 3 condos sale pending and 5 condos have sold this year.



Nick Herron & Kathleen Herron of the Herron Group would be glad to show you any of the properties listed in the Oaks or on Sarasota Barrier Islands of Casey Key, Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Lido Key, Manasota Key, and Island of Venice. Call 941.350.5035.

Beach, Bay or Back Nine…Live the Dream

"Bird Watching in Sarasota" Baltimore Orioles sign on for Spring Training

When we mention bird-watching in Sarasota; herons, egrets, & spoonbills come to mind, but we are talking about a whole different bird – the Baltimore Orioles baseball team.

When the Cincinnati Reds decided to make Goodyear, Arizona their new Spring Training home, Sarasota’s Ed Smith Stadium was left without a team. After negotiations with different teams, including the Boston Red Sox, it was the Baltimore Orioles who finally signed on, bringing along with them one of the most revered names in baseball, Cal Ripken.

Starting in 2010, Sarasotans can watch the Orioles catching flies at Ed Smith according to an agreement signed with the County and City. This agreement includes the establishment of a Cal Ripken Youth Baseball Academy on the grounds of Twin Lakes Park, where the Orioles’ Spring Training operations will be based.

So when you think of bird-watching in Sarasota, add America’s Favorite Pasttime to your list, because just like their avian namesake, the Baltimore Orioles will make their migration south for the winter in 2010.

Nick Herron & Kathleen Herron of the Herron Group would be glad to show you any of the properties listed on any of the golf course communities or Sarasota’s Barrier Islands of Casey Key, Manasota Key, Siesta Key, Lido or Longboat Key. Call 941.350.5035

Beach, Bay or Back Nine...Live the Dream

"The Legacy Trail" Connecting Venice to Sarasota and a Link to the Past

With its grand opening in March of 2008, the Legacy Trail became the largest public recreation project to be constructed in Sarasota County. More than 10 miles in length, the trail runs from south Sarasota to Venice and is a Sarasota County Rails to Trails project, following the old CSX railroad corridor.

The Legacy Trail is a great recreational resource for our community; biking, rollerblading, running, or just walking the dog along the smooth pavement. Although there are a few crossovers at roadway intersections, the trail allows you to enjoy these activities without the dangers of traffic. Trailheads are located at the Venice Train Depot, Patriot’s Park, Nokomis Community Park, Laurel Park, Oscar Sherer State Park, and at McIntosh Road. Other than park benches and port-a-potties, amenities are not yet available, but as the county get funding, more will be added to the trail.

The naming of the Legacy Trail is said “to reflect the heritage of the former railroad corridor and the trails lasting legacy for future generations”. At the request of Sarasota socialite, Bertha Palmer, the railroad corridor was extended to Venice in 1911. The railroad lines were used to transport the US Army during World War II, the Kentucky Militia, and the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, who spent the winters in Venice from 1962-1992. It addition, it was the earliest way the area was discovered by future inhabitants looking for their spot in Paradise.

The Legacy Trail is easily accessed from many area Golf Course Communities, including Pelican Point Golf & Country Club, Venetian Golf and River Club, The Oaks, Stoneybrook Golf & Country Club, Prestancia, and Calusa Lakes Golf Club.


Nick Herron & Kathleen Herron of the Herron Group would be glad to show you any of the properties listed on any of the golf course communities or Sarasota’s Barrier Island of Casey Key, Manasota Key, Siesta Key, Lido or Longboat Key. Call 941.350.5035

Beach, Bay or Back Nine…Live the Dream

Snook Haven Retreat and Restaurant Experience the Natural Beauty, Tastes, and Sounds of “Old Florida”

The Myakka River, one of Florida’s “Wild and Scenic Rivers”, acts as a backdrop for this unique dining and entertainment experience. A Venice fixture for over 50 years, Snook Haven is Old Florida at its finest. Take a backwoods drive onto E. Venice Ave off of River Road down the old dirt road canopied by Spanish oaks and palms and enter into life along the river.

With its quirky décor and paintings of alligators and turtles, Snook Haven claims to be the “Home of the Killer Turtles”, rumored descendants of extras used in the 1930’s movie shoot of Johnny Weismuller’s Tarzan film “Attack of the Killer Turtles”. The restaurant serves up some authentic Florida favorites like gator bites, grouper nuggets, Southern style Okra, Fried Grouper sandwiches, BBQ pulled pork, and Catfish along with the more traditional selection of steaks, pork cutlets, ribs, and burgers. An indoor dining area and bar offers an array of seating, but to really experience “Old Florida” sit at one of the picnic tables on the outdoor deck overlooking the natural beauty of the Myakka River.

Live entertainment kicks up on the outdoor stage almost every evening and weekend with local favorites such as Smoked Mullet, Skunk Monkey, and Bruce Nye the Elvis Guy. Experience the river firsthand by launching your boat at the boat launch, renting one of Snook Haven’s canoes or kayaks, or by taking a leisure boat ride with your own personal tour guide on Captain Terry’s River Tour.

Snook Haven is close to I-75 on Venice Avenue and is conveniently located a short distance from several golf course communities and is accessible by canoe or kayak from the Venetian Golf and River Club.

Nick Herron & Kathleen Herron of the Herron Group would be glad to show you any of the properties listed on any of the golf course communities or Sarasota’s Barrier Island of Casey Key, Manasota Key, Siesta Key, Lido or Longboat Key. Call 941.350.5035

Beach, Bay or Back Nine…Live the Dream

“Venice Yacht Club” Not Far from the Golf Course

Founded in 1951, the Venice Yacht Club has played an integral part in the Venice area boating community. Providing extraordinary services and facilities to its members, this private yacht club is one of the 13 original members of the Florida Council of Yacht Clubs and is one of the few clubs situated right on the Intracoastal Waterway.

Conveniently located near Downtown Venice, there are many activities to enjoy at the Venice Yacht Club along with fine dining and the camaraderie of great friends. The Clubhouse offers two dining rooms both with expansive window overlooking the waterway. The marina has 47 slips for its members offering electric, water, and TV connections. There is an extra 300 feet of dockage for visiting yachts. The pool and its adjacent tiki bar provide a welcome relief after a long, hot day on the yacht.

The Venice Yacht Club also offers a Youth Program and the Venice Youth Boating Association which teaches beginning sailing and continuing education in sailing and racing techniques and emphasizes sportsmanship, seamanship, and water safety.

The Venice Yacht Club members are successful professionals and business people from our community and is conveniently located a short distance from several golf course communities including Venetian Golf and River Club, Pelican Pointe Golf and Country Club, Calusa Lakes Golf Club, Waterford Golf Club, Venice Golf and Country Club, Sarasota National Golf Club, and Plantation Golf and Country Club. Sarasota’s Barrier Island Casey Key is just North along the water and members often jump in their dinghies or boats and come down to the Venice Yacht Club for lunch or dinner.

Nick Herron & Kathleen Herron of the Herron Group would be glad to show you any of the properties listed on any of the golf course communities or Sarasota’s Barrier Island of Casey Key, Manasota Key, Siesta Key, Lido or Longboat Key. Call 941.350.5035.

Beach, Bay or Back Nine…Live the Dream