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.

Heritage Oaks Golf & Country Club-5288 Mahogany Run Ave.

One of Sarasota’s Golf Course Home communities is Heritage Oaks Gulf & Country Club. They just did a big “make over” of their club house. They added a new and real popular Grill Room and Bar redid their dinning room, locker rooms & exercise area. It was money well spent in bringing this club up with the other newer Sarasota Golf Course Communities.

This Sarasota Golf Club is one of the few that you don’t drive your golf carts on the rough. You have to keep your carts on the fairway. It allows the rough to grow and can be a lot more challenging and if they let it grow a little you never find your balls. I think half the membership has those glasses that will show the balls that are normally hidden to the regular eye.

This was a US Homes Community like Stoneybrook Golf & Country Club in Palmer Ranch. Both of them offer equity membership to every property owner. This is a great benefit for those wanting to live in a Sarasota Golf Course Home and be a member of a golf country club.

Heritage Oaks Golf & Country Club has four types of properties: Verandas which are two story condos, Club homes, which are single story four, six or eight connected villas, Villas which are two connected villas and sixty nine single family homes.

The Herron Group with RE/MAX Alliance Group just listed 5288 Mahogany Run Ave. It is a Club Home with out standing views over looking a lake and the twelfth hole. This home has two bedrooms and a den/office, two baths, tile floors in the living area, newer Berber carpet in bedrooms, crown molding, seven ceiling fans, hurricane shutters, and extended screened lanai with an electric sun awning over looking lake and golf course. All this for only $297,000.

Heritage Oaks Golf & Country Club also offers residents five heated swimming pools, and Har-tru tennis courts besides the Azinger-Lewis 18 hole golf course.

To view this property and any other Sarasota Golf Course Home contact Nick Herron 941.350.5035 or Kathleen Herron with the Herron Group.

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!

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.

Golfers just want to play golf—and Sarasota is the place!

"…in spite of everything else, people want to play golf," PGA of America's Chief Executive Officer Joe Steranka told reporters recently at the 2009 PGA Merchandise Show at the Orange County Convention Center. He said that despite the recession, golfers are still golfing consistently.

Sarasota golfers know this is true. But why? I recently asked my golfing friends why they love golf. Here are some of their answers.

Why I love golf:
1. Every shot is a challenge.
2. It’s competitive—I’m always trying to improve my game against my friends and myself.
3. I love sports—and this sport is easy on my knees and shoulders.
4. Wildlife, wide open spaces, lots of green grass and nature’s beauty.
5. Quality time with my friends and the chance to socialize at the club afterwards.
6. The first drive of every hole is like a brand new chance for doing something great.
7. The unhurried pace—it’s what retirement’s all about.
8. Requires concentration—so my mind gets a break from everything else.
9. The equipment—I love to get a new club.
10. The sweet feeling after a good shot.
11. Everything!

So why do you love golf? Or does that just about say it all?

For golfers, there’s nothing like living in a golf course home. A short walk or drive to the club, and then 18 holes of bliss—every day, if you’re up for it. Nick and Kathleen Herron of the Herron Group, RE/MAX Alliance Group, are ready to locate your ideal golf course home. Call the Herron Group at 941-308-6714. If you would like more information on golf course homes, country club amenities, or waterfront properties in the Sarasota, Florida area, email Nick Herron today!

Featured golf course home (click for a virtual tour):
158 Montelluna Drive, Venice
Reduced: $447,000
MLS #A351132

Wonderful Venetian Golf and River Club home with course views of second hole signature sand traps and green. Great outdoor living on lovely enlarged lanai, salt water waterfall lagoon style pool, spa & fire pit. So many upgrades: lighted tray ceiling, herringbone wood floors in the master bedroom, large ceramic tile on the diagonal in the living area, surround sound & extra speakers, granite kitchen counters, central vacuum, paver drive & lanai. Great room concept—The Correggio—with side load garage. Golf membership available at reduced rate! Call 941-308-6714 or email Nick Herron today to plan when you can move in!

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