“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

Sarasota Golf Course Homes

Some of the finest golf courses in the US are located in Sarasota, Florida. Ample sunshine, southern breezes and temperate climate create the perfect backdrop for all types of outdoor recreation.

Sarasota, Florida boasts a variety of public and private golf courses; many associated with resort style amenities and gated communities. Home owners enjoy twelve months of tee times, award winning greens and relaxed play. It is truly a “Golfer’s Paradise” with magnificent courses, beautiful year round weather, tropical foliage and lush greens have created a perfect environment for the avid golfer.

Voted among “Best Places to Play” 2008-2009 Golf Digest by their readers selected the Legacy Golf Club at Lakewood Ranch offers service and greens you would find at private world-class facilities.

Also at Lakewood Ranch is the Lakewood Ranch Country Club course which is a gated single family development. There 82 homes on the market for sale, priced from $274,000 to $3,500,000. Eighteen homes have sold so far this year and there are eighteen sale pending.

If your interested in looking at golf course homes at Lakewood Ranch or at any of Sarasota’s other great golf courses please call Nick Herron and Kathleen Herron, the Herron Group, RE/MAX Alliance Group 941-350-5035.

Beach, Bay or Back Nine…Live the Dream

Summer Golf in Sarasota

Ask any golfer and they will tell you it is always a good time to play golf in Sarasota, Florida. Well summer is here and most of the snowbirds are leaving so the golf courses are not as busy.

This is the time of year when the Golf Courses and Country Clubs put together their list of reciprocal golf courses. This is where the different courses agree on discounted golf fees with each other. It is a great time for golfers who belong to one club to have the opportunity to play other clubs in the area.

This is also the time of year that most of the golf clubs will be doing maintenance on their course. So if the golfer’s home course is closed for the day or has just been aerated they can play another course on the reciprocal list.

A lot of the public golf courses and some of the private Country Clubs also honor what is called the “Big Summer Golf Card”. The “Big Summer Golf Card” cost around sixty dollars, but will entitle the golfer to play at discounted rates. Some clubs will have different rates in the morning than if you play in the afternoon; usually cheaper in the afternoon. The golf courses are hopping to entice more play for their course and more revenue for the club.

There are all different golfing events that the golf clubs put on in the summer for their members. One event for couples is usually played on Thursday or Friday afternoon starting around four. It is usually a nine hole event with dinner following. It gets some interesting names, because you never know if it is going to get rained out or you are just going to get a little wet. One club that I know calls it “Thursday Thunder”. In Sarasota in the summer time we often get thunder storms in the afternoon. They may only last five minutes. It is the warm air currents crossing the state (land) and they come in contact with the cooler sea currents off the Gulf and we get our summer showers.

Summer in Sarasota is also a great time to buy in one of our many golf course communities. The Herron Group, Nick Herron and Kathleen Herron with RE/MAX Alliance Group (941-350-5035) would be glad to show you what great golf clubs we have to offer you in the Sarasota area.

You might even want to play a round or two with us.

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

“Sarasota Golf Course” Stoneybrook Golf and Country Club Member Guest Tournament

The Stoneybrook Men’s Golf Association put on their “Seventh Annual Stoneybrook SMGA The First Tee Member-Guest Tournament April 2, 2009”. They had good participation with 54 golfers. The Stoneybrook Men’s Golf Association contributes and supports each year The First Tee Sarasota/ Manatee.

The First Tee is an initiative of the World Golf Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in St Augustine, FL at World Golf Village, home of the World Golf Hall of Fame. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing learning facilities and education programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf. Since its inception in 1997, The First Tee has introduced the game of golf and its value to over 2.2 million participants and students in 48 states and five international locations- Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and Singapore.

This is the third year that I have participated as a guest in this great golfing event.

If you would like more information on Stoneybrook Golf & Country Club or any of the other Sarasota golf course communities e-mail Nick Herron, the Herron Group, RE/MAX Alliance Group or call 941.350.5035.

Back in the game

The latest news in the golfing world is Tiger Woods’ return to the course. Woods returned to competition play at the Accenture Match Play Championship two weeks ago. Now Woods is in Florida preparing for more match play and ready to get back in the game.

On Tuesday, fans gathered at Doral before the break of day to watch Woods tee off at a practice round. Woods is certain to play four rounds this week at the CA Championship, which starts today on Doral’s Blue Monster. It will be his first tournament since he won the U.S. Open in June, a week before reconstructive surgery on his left knee.

In talking with reporters, Woods said “for me, I just need rounds under my belt, and this week will obviously be a very positive week for me — four rounds and no cuts, which is exactly what I need.” Woods went on to say “It was a big shot of confidence for me to get out there and play again and feel physically sound.”

Is it time for you to get back to your golf game and start playing more regularly?

The perfect opportunity to get back to your golf game and play as often as you like is to live in a golf course home. Finding your perfect home in or near a Sarasota golf course community is easy with the assistance of Nick and Kathleen Herron of The Herron Group, RE/MAX Alliance.

As knowledgeable and established Realtors® in the Sarasota real estate market, Nick and Kathleen Herron can help you find a dream home that matches your preferences for golfing and other amenities in Sarasota, Nokomis, Osprey, and the surrounding barrier islands of Casey Key, Siesta Key, and Longboat Key.

To find a home within a Sarasota golf course neighborhood or with nearby access to the links, contact Nick by phone at 800-789-6580 or email him for more information on golf course living in Sarasota.

Like Tiger Woods, start getting on the course more often and get back in the game. It will take your mind off the economy!

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

Our Mother’s House event at The Plantation Golf and Country Club

The Herron Group would be glad to show you any of the Golf Course and Country Club communities or water front areas such as Casey Key, Siesta Key, Manasota Key and Longboat Key.

The Herron Group attended the 2009 Wine Tasting, Dinner and Auction which was the eight annual event last night at the Plantation Golf & Country Club. In spite of the economy it was one of the best attended with over 400 participants. There was a Chinese Auction, a Silent Auction followed by a Live Auction to raise money for Our Mother’s House.

Our Mother’s House is a program of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice. Their Mission is to provide single mothers and their pre-school children a safe and secure environment in which to achieve increased self-sufficiency through education, vocational training and personal growth.

The Plantation Golf & Country Club is located in South Venice, Florida. The large development runs from Center Road over to US41. There are single family homes, villas, and condos available. Ron Garl designed 36-holes of championship golf, feature two distinctively different layouts on the Bobcat and Panther courses for both the amateur and professional. I personally find them to be great courses and real challenging. Impeccably maintained year-round, Plantation’s courses continuously attract those who demand the finest playing conditions. Plantation Golf & Country Club is home to the LPGA's annual Tour Qualifier.

The Herron Group also donates as part of every closing to the local Children’s Miracle Network hospital.

If you would like to see any homes in any of the golf course areas, Plantation Golf & Country Club, The Oaks, Venetian Golf & River Club, Laurel Oaks, The Concession, Founders Club, Heritage Oaks Golf & Country Club, and Stoneybrook Golf & Country Club please e-mail Nick Herron or Kathleen Herron or call 941-350-5035.

News in our Golfing World

THE WORLD & NATION: Feb. 5, 2009—today marks the opening tournament of the 20th season of the Nationwide Tour, the official proving ground for younger players striving to reach the PGA Tour. The Nationwide Tour was the brainchild of former PGA Tour Commissioner Deane Beman who helped launch this significant golf series as a system that offered younger players the opportunity to learn to compete at a near-PGA level. The Nationwide Tour opens in Panama City. Panama is one of five countries and 18 states that are part of the Tour schedule.

FLORIDA: Meanwhile, the PGA Tour is just a month away from arriving in Florida for what’s known as the Florida Swing. Florida PGA tournaments include: March 5, The Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens; March 12 at the Doral Golf Resort in Miami; March 19 at the Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor; and March 26, the Arnold Palmer Invitational at the Bay Hill Club in Orlando.

Also at the state level, Florida Governor Charlie Crist met recently with sports industry officials to discuss how sports—including golf, auto racing, fishing, baseball spring training, and college sports—supports Florida’s economy. Even in economic downturns, people still play and the state continues to attract events. The recent Superbowl was a huge success and Florida was proud to host it.

SARASOTA: In Sarasota golfing news, Sarasota City commissioners recently reviewed a report indicating that the city-owned golf course, Bobby Jones Golf Club, has untapped earning potential that could attract more golfers to Sarasota. The city hopes to make improvements.

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD: Do you live in a golfing community? No? Would you like to? Nick and Kathleen Herron of the Herron Group, RE/MAX Alliance, can help you locate the hidden gems and values in your ideal golf course neighborhood. We know the area and have been established in real estate sales for many years. We’ll help you find that golfing destination that you’ll call “home.” And you’ll love Sarasota’s beautiful barrier islands such as Casey Key, Siesta Key, Lido Key, and Longboat Key and our cities and towns including Sarasota, Nokomis, St. Armands, Osprey, Venice, and Anna Maria. Call or Email Nick or Kathleen to find out more.

New Years Hangover Open Golf Event Venetian Golf & River Club

I just received this photo from Brian Harrold that he took of our foursome on New Years day 2009 at the Hangover Open at Venetian Golf & River Club. In the picture is JC Craycraft, Steve Warren and myself (Nick Herron). Brian is from Great Britain out side of London and has returned home, but also has a home at the Venetian Golf and River Club, N. Venice Florida. Brian & his Family were on Holiday here during Christmas & New Years.

Brian and his wife Pat had invited our families to join them for Boxer Day. This is the day after Christmas day. This goes back to when wealthy in England had their servants work Chrismas Day, but let them off the day after. The servants were sent home with all the food left overs packaged up in the old Christmas boxes.

We sure didn’t feel like servants. We were fed a fantastic dinner and celebrated it with Crackers. Cracker bonbon is a small paper roll tied at both ends. Two people pull each end and it pops and the one with biggest part gets the small gift and reads the riddle that is inside and everyone tries to answer the riddle.

Speaking of Great Britain we have had a lot of interest in Sarasota Real Estate over the last year. Our web traffic has really picked up and buyers coming over to look for investment property or a Holiday home or condo. Both in golf course and country club communities, water front homes and downtown Sarasota condos

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Call the Herron Group with RE/MAX Alliance Group at 941- 308-6714. if you would like more information on Golf Course and Country Club or water front properties in the Sarasota, Florida area. Nick’s E-mail

Just Sold at Venetian Golf & River Club

Waterfront Home in Venice, FL Sold

After showing our buyers from Tennessee, the Founders Club, Prestancia, Laurel Oak Estates, they purchased a beautiful waterfront home in Venetian Golf & River Club in Venice. These customers were looking for a second home, golf course property to purchase for their future retirement. 197 Portofina, built in 2007, has over 4900 sq.ft.,
4 bedrooms, den and 5 1/2 baths. The listed price was $1,175,000.

After decorating their Venice golf course home, these new Floridians plan to lounge on their lanai overlooking the lake and disappearing edge pool as well as enjoy the Venetian's championship golf on signature gold course. Other amenities available at Venetian are a beautiful club house with one main and two private dining rooms, lounge, pool/spa, outdoor kitchen with huge entertaining area, day spa and fitness center. There are six tennis courts, two resort pools, nature walk and a canoe launch.

Currently, the Sarasota MLS lists over 80 homes for sale in this Sarasota golf course neighborhood. Prices range from $249,900 for a two bedroom, two bath villa to over $1 million for an estate home with over 3,000 sq.ft.