The Oaks Club is a private club in Osprey, Florida which offers diversified living. The lavish clubhouse is the scene of many culinary events.

Just North of Spanish Point 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 Bay Side:
There 15 Active single family listings priced from $699,500 to $8,990,000.
There is 1 single family Sale Pending priced at $849,000.
There have been 7 single family homes sold this year priced from $780,000 to $3,175,000.

Oaks Club Side:
There are 44 Active single family homes priced from $699,000 to $3,600,000.
There is 1 single family Sale Pending priced at $799,000.
There have been 10 single family homes sold this year priced from $599,900 to $1,150,000.

Oaks Preserve:
Single Family:
There are 10 Active single family homes priced from $329,500 to $639,000.
There have been 3 single family homes sold this year priced from $205,000 to $455,000.
Meridian Condos:
There are 24 Active condos priced from $224,900 to $1,875,000.
There is 1 condo Sale Pending priced at $570,000.
There have been 8 condos sold this year priced from $283,600 to $1,500,000.

The Oaks Golf Club:
Address: 650 N. Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL 34229Phone: (941) 966-2191Fax: (941) 966-2192Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.Website: http://www.theoaksclub.com/Head Golf Professional: Tim Beckwith

Course Description: The Eagle, a Ted McAnlis-designed course, runs fairly straight and narrow along the perimeter of the 1,000-acre property. The second course is the more intensely challenging interior Heron Course designed by William Byrd. Its winding greens have recently been rebuilt with more doglegs.

Rates: Guest fees $45 - $94

Course Slope/Ratings: Black 73.4/140, Blue 71.4/133, White 69.1/117, Gold 66.5/114, Red 70.5/117

Yardage: Black 6,700, Blue 6,400, White 6,000, Gold 5,500, Red 5,000

Community Description: Between Sarasota and Venice, The Oaks offers three distinct low-density neighborhoods ranging from $224,900 to over $9 million for homes and condominiums. A private equity country club offers two popular courses.

Amenities: Driving range, two putting greens, chipping green, pro shop, rentals, lessons, renovated clubhouse, men’s and women’s locker rooms, 14 Har-Tru tennis courts, and junior Olympic-sized swimming pool.

The Herron Group, Nick Herron (941-350-5035) and Kathleen Herron would be glad to show you any of the Oaks properties or other Sarasota Golf Course Communities. We also specialize in Sarasota’s Barrier Islands of Casey Key, Manasota Key, Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Lido and Bird Key.

Beach Bay or Back Nine...Live the Dream

Life After Golf------IN SARASOTA

A glance through this week’s issue of Sarasota Magazine’s Weekend Insider reminds us of the vibrancy of our area. So much to do and see! Golf may be your main attraction, but variety is the spice that keeps life interesting. So after 18 holes, here are a few ideas for your Valentine’s weekend.

· If you’re a runner, join 2,000 of your running buddies for the fourth annual ABC7 Sarasota Grouper Marathon early this Sunday morning, Feb. 15. The race begins and ends at the Ringling Museum.
· View designer elegance at its finest on Siesta Key as the Sarasota Orchestra Association’s Designer Showcase kicks off Friday the 13th. Eighteen of the area’s top designers have created enchanting spaces in two condominiums in the new Summer Cove development, located at the old Summerhouse Restaurant.
· Love luxury cars? Ferraris and Exotics on St. Armands kicks off a weekend of fun, starting the party at the Rectrix Aerodrome on Friday, displaying the four-wheeled works of art on St. Armands Circle, and including fine dining at the Ritz-Carlton Beach Club.

And don’t forget to treat your Valentine to something special. Here’s an idea: why not pick up a gourmet picnic from Whole Foods, toss a blanket into the trunk, and take your love on an old-fashioned picnic? You could start with a drive up and down one of our lovely keys—Casey Key, Siesta Key, Lido Key, Longboat Key—so many beautiful island drives to choose from! Stop at one of the nature parks or one of the off-the-beaten-track beaches so prevalent in Sarasota’s barrier islands. Breathe in the sea air, toss a crumb to a sea gull (never mind—that creates a mess!), pick up one colorful shell as a remembrance, and cherish the time together.

Happy Valentines’ Day from your Sarasota and Casey Key luxury real estate specialists, Nick Herron and Kathleen Herron with The Herron Group, RE/MAX Alliance Group. Call 800-789-6580 or email Nick for more information on Sarasota real estate, waterfront homes, and golf course living.

The Heart of Sarasota’s Cultural District
800 N Tamiami Trail, #412, Sarasota, FL
$495,000
MLS #A3896138

Great split floor plan in this spacious and bright condo right in the heart of Sarasota's cultural district. Alanari at Rosemary Place is one of the newest buildings in this coastal city in South West Florida. Top of the line luxury appointments and plenty of gracious amenities are offered in this building. Close to waterfront, downtown shopping and restaurants. Sarasota could be your home town!

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

New Model Opens at The Concession

Sarasota Becoming a Golf Destination

With new golf courses and redesigned golf courses at The Concession, the Founders Club and the Oaks, Sarasota is becoming a golfer's dream. Homes in these gated communities aren't inexpensive as residents enjoy the ultimate in luxurious surroundings beginning with their professionally designed course. The Concession's core course (no houses border the fairway or greens) was designed by Jack Nicklaus with Tony Jacklin. Golf Digest lists this course as #5 in Florida "Best in State". In 2006 The Concession was named "America's Best New Private Course."

The Muirfield model home opened this week at Nicklaus Manor, outside the Concession. Interior design was created by Lusia Shafram of Landmark Design, who worked in conjuction with Landmark Development Group of Naples, the developer of Nicklaus Manor. The Muirfield is priced in the upper $3 millions.

If "you want your fridge stocked before you come to town," Nicklaus Manor's concierge service will take care of it. Want them to plan a party? They'll do that too. This golf course community in Sarasota offers the ultimate in luxury living. Read entire article about the Muirfield opening at Nicklaus Manor in the Herald Tribune.

If you are looking for a golf retreat, Annette Smith and Nick Herron, the Herron Group, RE/MAX Properties, are experienced in Sarasota golf course real estate sales and are ready to assist you in finding the perfect golf course home. Email us for a list of luxury Sarasota real estate available if Florida is your choice.