Mark Cardon

NAPLES —- Famous for its manicured golf courses, the City of Naples has been a long-time supporter of the Champions Tour.

Without a doubt, Naples is the No. 1 destination on the West Coast of Florida to watch senior pros.

Back in the day, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino and Hale Irwin were just of a few of the seniors golfers to compete there.

Now, there is a new cast of players led by former champions John Daly, Ernie Els, David Toms, Mike Weir, Steven Alker and PLAYERS Champion Stephen Ames that headline the latest commitments to the 2024 Chubb Classic Presented by SERVPRO, Feb. 16-18
The final field will be announced Friday at 5 pm ET
Tickets are on sale at www.ChubbClassic.com.

NAPLES, Fla., Feb. 7, 2024 – The 2024 Chubb Classic presented by SERVPRO will feature an elite international field with the addition of Major Champions John Daly, Ernie Els, David Toms, Mike Weir, Steven Alker and PLAYERS Champion Stephen Ames headlining the latest wave of commitments. Taking place Feb. 16-18 at

The tournament will be held at Tiburón Golf Club’s Black Course, the Chubb Classic is Naples’ flagship PGA TOUR Champions event, now entering its 37th year.

Daly, the 1991 PGA Championship and 1995 Open Championship winner, will make his first appearance at the Chubb Classic since 2020. A perennial fan favorite, Daly recorded a hole-in-one at the 2018 Chubb Classic en-route to an eighth-place finish, his best finish at the Chubb Classic.

Els, a two-time U.S Open (1994, 1997) and two-time Open Championship (2002, 2012) winner and a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, has over 75 professional victories worldwide during his illustrious career. He finished T10 at the 2023 Chubb Classic.

Toms, the 2001 PGA Champion and 2018 U.S. Senior Open Champion, finished T6 at the 2023 Chubb Classic. Including the U.S. Senior Open, Toms has four PGA TOUR Champions victories, including two in 2023.

Weir, the 2003 Masters champion, will be the first Canadian to captain the International Team at the 2024 Presidents Cup, which will take place at Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, Quebec.

Alker, the 2022 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship winner, 2022 Charles Schwab Cup winner and 2023 Charles Schwab Cup runner-up, also has won the last two events on the PGA TOUR Champions: 2023’s season-ending event, the Charles Schwab Cup Championship and the 2024 season-opening event, the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai.

Ames, the 2006 PLAYERS Championship winner, is a six-time winner on PGA TOUR Champions, including four wins in 2023.

They join Hall-of-Famers, past champions, former World No. 1 players and legends of the game as part of the 78-player field competing in the 54-hole championship on the Black Course at Tiburón Golf Club Friday-Sunday, Feb. 16-18, for a share of the $1.8 million purse. Players have until 5 p.m. ET on Feb. 9 to commit to the Chubb Classic. Additional commitments will be announced leading up to the Feb. 9 deadline. GOLF Channel will televise all three rounds of play live.

“Our latest commitments underscore the stature of this event as one of the premier PGA TOUR Champions events, and we look forward to welcoming all of the legends of the game as the 2024 PGA TOUR season kicks off in full swing,” said Sandy Diamond, executive director for the Chubb Classic presented by SERVPRO.

Tickets on sale: Tickets are on sale for the 2024 Chubb Classic, including exclusive hospitality and general admission tickets offering a wide degree of entertainment and access. All 2024 tournament tickets will be completely digital and will be emailed after purchase. E-tickets can be viewed on either a mobile device or printed out to be scanned at the main gate.

All service personnel, including military (active, retired, reserve and veteran), service personnel (police, fire and EMS) and front-line healthcare workers (doctors and nurses) and a plus one will receive complimentary admission to the 2024 Chubb Classic, compliments of SERVPRO. In addition, they will receive admission into a special hospitality area – the SERVPRO Hero Outpost – adjacent to the 17th green. The SERVPRO Hero Outpost will provide complimentary food courtesy of Michelbob’s Championship Rib & Steaks, along with complimentary water and soda from Pepsi. Tickets must be reserved online and are available at www.ChubbClassic.com/Tickets. Reserved tickets and proper identification will be required for entrance into the SERVPRO Hero Outpost.

Children under 18 also will be admitted free into the tournament with a paid adult.

There are four ticket options for fans interested in attending the 2024 Chubb Classic (**Ticket prices do not include sales tax**).

Daily Grounds
General admission daily grounds, valid Thursday, Feb. 15 (Pro-Am), and Friday-Sunday, Feb. 16-18 (tournament rounds).
Thursday: $20
Friday: $40
Saturday: $40
Sunday: $50
The ticket prices above will be available through Feb. 11. All daily grounds tickets will increase by $5 during tournament week (Feb. 12-18).
Weekly Grounds
General admission daily grounds, valid Thursday-Sunday, Feb. 15-18.
$100 (Valid all days Thursday-Sunday)
Michelob Ultra Legends Lounge 17th Green Skybox
Semi-private luxury suite offering exclusive views of the 17th green and is the ideal area for patrons to enjoy an upgraded VIP experience. Includes a lunch buffet, afternoon snacks, water and Pepsi products and cash bar. Valid competition rounds, Friday-Sunday.
Friday: $175 (Limited Tickets Remaining)
Saturday: $175 (Limited Tickets Remaining)
Sunday: $175 (Sold Out)
Conditioned Air Club 18th Green Hospitality
Enjoy the thrilling final hole of the Chubb Classic from the best view on the golf course. Open-air, semi-private luxury suite overlooking the 18th green that includes catered lunch options, hors d’oeuvres, afternoon snacks and open bar. Valid competition rounds, Friday-Sunday.
Friday: $400
Saturday: $400
Sunday: $400 (Sold Out)
A portion of the ticket proceeds will be donated to local charities throughout Southwest Florida. The Chubb Classic has proudly supported more than 30 charitable organizations since the tournament’s inception in 1988.

Tiburón Golf Club, managed by Troon, is the only facility to host a PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions and LPGA Tour event in the same calendar year, features two 18-hole Championship golf courses, The Gold and The Black. The Black Course, which opened in 2001, has a very distinctive look with its pine straw-lined fairways, crushed coquina waste areas and undulating greens nestled amidst acres of pine trees and native Florida foliage. The Black Course is designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary by Audubon International to protect and enhance its natural surroundings.

For more information on the Chubb Classic, visit www.ChubbClassic.com, and on social media @ChubbClassic on X (formerly Twitter), @ChubbClassic on Instagram, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ChubbClassic.

About The Chubb Classic presented by SERVPRO

The Chubb Classic presented by SERVPRO has been held in Naples, Fla., since 1988 and features stars from the PGA TOUR Champions competing over 54 holes for a share of $1.8 million in prize money. Past champions include legends of the game such as Gary Player, Lee Trevino, Fred Couples and Bernhard Langer. The event is owned and operated by Outlyr, a global marketing and event management agency that operates a number of professional golf tournaments, sporting and lifestyle events across the country as well as managing the sponsorship portfolio for several blue-chip clients. Visit www.ChubbClassic.com for more information.

About PGA TOUR Champions

PGA TOUR Champions is a membership organization of professional golfers age 50 and older, including 35 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. The Tour’s mission is to provide financial opportunities for its players, entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back and generate significant charitable and economic impact in tournament communities. Follow PGA TOUR Champions online at PGATOUR.com, on Facebook, on Twitter (@ChampionsTour), on Instagram (@pgatourchampions) and on TikTok (pgatourchampions).

All events are televised in the United States on Golf Channel, the exclusive cable-television partner of PGA TOUR Champions. Internationally, PGA TOUR Champions coverage is available in more than 170 countries and territories via 22 media partners.

About Chubb

Chubb is a world leader in insurance. With operations in 54 countries and territories, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London, Paris and other locations, and employs approximately 40,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at: www.chubb.com.

About SERVPRO

For more than 50 years, SERVPRO has been a trusted leader in fire and water cleanup and restoration services, construction, mold mitigation, biohazard, and pathogen remediation. SERVPRO’s professional services network of more than 2,200 individually owned and operated franchises spans the United States and Canada, responding to property damage emergencies large and small – from million-square-foot commercial facilities to individual homes. When disaster strikes, homeowners, business owners, and major insurance companies rely on SERVPRO to make it “Like it never even happened.”

About Tiburón Golf Club

Located in Naples, Florida, Tiburón Golf Club, managed by Troon Golf features two 18-hole, Greg Norman-designed golf courses, The Gold and The Black. Tiburón also is home to the CME Group Tour Championship and the Grant Thornton Invitational and is consistently rated among the top 20 golf facilities in Florida by Golf Digest and GOLF Magazine. Tiburón’s Gold Course opened in 1998 and the Black Course opened in 2001. Both courses play to a par of 72 and feature five sets of tees. The Gold Course can play as long as 7,382 yards, while The Black Course can play up to 6,949 yards from the championship tees. The 295-room Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón, sits adjacent to the two award-winning courses, while the 450-room Ritz-Carlton Naples is just a few miles away. The semi-private club has been designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary by Audubon International. Tiburón’s 27,000-square foot Mediterranean-style clubhouse features three dining rooms, private member locker rooms and lounge areas, as well as an award-winning golf shop.

About Florida’s Paradise Coast

The Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) is the official source for area travel and tourism information about Florida’s Paradise Coast. Located in Southwest Florida, this premier vacation and meeting destination offers leisure and business travelers a variety of exceptional year-round amenities and attractions. Set along a 30-mile Gulf of Mexico coastline ribboned with white-sand beaches, visitors will discover a sophisticated yet casual atmosphere highlighted by a lively social scene, robust arts and culture activities, exceptional restaurants, luxury boutique shopping and plenty of outdoor adventure experiences. Home to over 90 public and private golf courses, sports enthusiasts have access to a variety of championship courses; pickleball and tennis facilities; and water activities ranging from kayaking to sailing charters. Outdoor adventures include exploring the world-famous Everglades – the only sub-tropical mangrove wilderness in the U.S. and home to endangered wildlife and over 350 species of birds. Florida’s Paradise Coast is truly where the high life meets the wildlife. Recent accolades include being named the No. 1 “Best Beach Town in the U.S. to Live In,” No. 1 “Healthiest and Happiest City in America” and “One of the Best Small Cities in the U.S.” Located just two hours from Miami, three hours from Tampa, and four hours from Orlando, Florida’s Paradise Coast is easily accessible by Interstate highway. Travelers outside of the Sunshine State can fly into Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), Punta Gorda (PGD), Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Miami (MIA). For more information about Florida’s Paradise Coast, call 800-688-3600, visit ParadiseCoast.com, and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Past Champions and Former World No. 1s Headline Latest Commitments for the 2024 Chubb Classic Presented by SERVPRO, Feb. 16-18

Six Past Champions In Field, Including Joe Durant, Lee Janzen, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Steve Stricker, Kirk Triplett and Two-Time Defending Champion Bernhard Langer

David Duval and Tom Lehman Join Langer as Former World No. 1s Entered in Field

Tickets On-Sale Now at www.ChubbClassic.com

NAPLES, Fla., Jan. 31, 2024 – The Chubb Classic presented by SERVPRO tournament field will feature a return of six of the tournament’s past champions as well as former World No. 1 players headlining the latest early commitments for the 2024 edition of the championship.

Past champions Steve Stricker (2021), Miguel Angel Jimenez (2019), Joe Durant (2018), Lee Janzen (2015) and Kirk Triplett (2014) join five-time champion Bernhard Langer as past champions currently committed to the Chubb Classic presented by SERVPRO.

Also joining the field as early commitments are two of the world’s former top-ranked players and major champions David Duval and Tom Lehman.

They join an elite field that features Hall-of-Famers and legends of the game who have previously committed, including Langer, Davis Love III, Colin Montgomerie and 2024 World Golf Hall-of-Fame inductee Padraig Harrington. Each will be among an elite 78-player field competing in the 54-hole championship on the Black Course at Tiburón Golf Club Friday-Sunday, Feb. 16-18, for a share of the $1.8 million purse. Players have until 5 p.m. ET on Feb. 9 to commit to the Chubb Classic. Additional commitments will be announced leading up to the Feb. 9 deadline. GOLF Channel will televise all three rounds of play live.

“We are thrilled about the return of many of our past champions and top-ranked players in the game in what is shaping up to be an incredible a world-class field as the 2024 PGA TOUR Champions season kicks off in full swing,” said Sandy Diamond, executive director for the Chubb Classic presented by SERVPRO.

Tickets are now on sale for the 2024 Chubb Classic, including exclusive hospitality and general admission tickets offering a wide degree of entertainment and access. All 2024 tournament tickets will be completely digital and will be emailed after purchase. E-tickets can be viewed on either a mobile device or printed out to be scanned at the main gate.

All service personnel, including military (active, retired, reserve and veteran), service personnel (police, fire and EMS) and front-line healthcare workers (doctors and nurses) and a plus one will receive complimentary admission to the 2024 Chubb Classic, compliments of SERVPRO. In addition, they will receive admission into a special hospitality area – the SERVPRO Hero Outpost – adjacent to the 17th green. The SERVPRO Hero Outpost will provide complimentary food courtesy of Michelbob’s Championship Rib & Steaks, along with complimentary water and soda from Pepsi. Tickets must be reserved online and are available at www.ChubbClassic.com/Tickets. Reserved tickets and proper identification will be required for entrance into the SERVPRO Hero Outpost.

Children under 18 also will be admitted free into the tournament with a paid adult.

There are four ticket options for fans interested in attending the 2024 Chubb Classic (**Ticket prices do not include sales tax**).

Daily Grounds
General admission daily grounds, valid Thursday, Feb. 15 (Pro-Am), and Friday-Sunday, Feb. 16-18 (tournament rounds).
Thursday: $20
Friday: $40
Saturday: $40
Sunday: $50
The ticket prices above will be available through Feb. 11. All daily grounds tickets will increase by $5 during tournament week (Feb. 12-18).
Weekly Grounds
General admission daily grounds, valid Thursday-Sunday, Feb. 15-18.
$100 (Valid all days Thursday-Sunday)
Michelob Ultra Legends Lounge 17th Green Skybox
Semi-private luxury suite offering exclusive views of the 17th green and is the ideal area for patrons to enjoy an upgraded VIP experience. Includes a lunch buffet, afternoon snacks, water and Pepsi products and cash bar. Valid competition rounds, Friday-Sunday.
Friday: $175
Saturday: $175
Sunday: $175
Conditioned Air Club 18th Green Hospitality
Enjoy the thrilling final hole of the Chubb Classic from the best view on the golf course. Open-air, semi-private luxury suite overlooking the 18th green that includes catered lunch options, hors d’oeuvres, afternoon snacks and open bar. Valid competition rounds, Friday-Sunday.
Friday: $400
Saturday: $400
Sunday: $400
A portion of the ticket proceeds will be donated to local charities throughout Southwest Florida. The Chubb Classic has proudly supported more than 30 charitable organizations since the tournament’s inception in 1988.

Tiburón Golf Club, managed by Troon, is the only facility to host a PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions and LPGA Tour event in the same calendar year, features two 18-hole Championship golf courses, The Gold and The Black. The Black Course, which opened in 2001, has a very distinctive look with its pine straw-lined fairways, crushed coquina waste areas and undulating greens nestled amidst acres of pine trees and native Florida foliage. The Black Course is designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary by Audubon International to protect and enhance its natural surroundings.

For more information on the Chubb Classic, visit www.ChubbClassic.com, and on social media @ChubbClassic on X (formerly Twitter), @ChubbClassic on Instagram, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ChubbClassic.

About The Chubb Classic presented by SERVPRO

The Chubb Classic presented by SERVPRO has been held in Naples, Fla., since 1988 and features stars from the PGA TOUR Champions competing over 54 holes for a share of $1.8 million in prize money. Past champions include legends of the game such as Gary Player, Lee Trevino, Fred Couples and Bernhard Langer. The event is owned and operated by Outlyr, a global marketing and event management agency that operates a number of professional golf tournaments, sporting and lifestyle events across the country as well as managing the sponsorship portfolio for several blue-chip clients. Visit www.ChubbClassic.com for more information.

About PGA TOUR Champions

PGA TOUR Champions is a membership organization of professional golfers age 50 and older, including 35 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. The Tour’s mission is to provide financial opportunities for its players, entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back and generate significant charitable and economic impact in tournament communities. Follow PGA TOUR Champions online at PGATOUR.com, on Facebook, on Twitter (@ChampionsTour), on Instagram(@pgatourchampions) and on TikTok(pgatourchampions).

All events are televised in the United States on Golf Channel, the exclusive cable-television partner of PGA TOUR Champions. Internationally, PGA TOUR Champions coverage is available in more than 170 countries and territories via 22 media partners.

About Chubb

Chubb is a world leader in insurance. With operations in 54 countries and territories, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London, Paris and other locations, and employs approximately 40,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at: www.chubb.com.

About SERVPRO

For more than 50 years, SERVPRO has been a trusted leader in fire and water cleanup and restoration services, construction, mold mitigation, biohazard, and pathogen remediation. SERVPRO’s professional services network of more than 2,200 individually owned and operated franchises spans the United States and Canada, responding to property damage emergencies large and small – from million-square-foot commercial facilities to individual homes. When disaster strikes, homeowners, business owners, and major insurance companies rely on SERVPRO to make it “Like it never even happened.”

About Tiburón Golf Club

Located in Naples, Florida, Tiburón Golf Club, managed by Troon Golf features two 18-hole, Greg Norman-designed golf courses, The Gold and The Black. Tiburón also is home to the CME Group Tour Championship and the Grant Thornton Invitational and is consistently rated among the top 20 golf facilities in Florida by Golf Digest and GOLF Magazine. Tiburón’s Gold Course opened in 1998 and the Black Course opened in 2001. Both courses play to a par of 72 and feature five sets of tees. The Gold Course can play as long as 7,382 yards, while The Black Course can play up to 6,949 yards from the championship tees. The 295-room Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón, sits adjacent to the two award-winning courses, while the 450-room Ritz-Carlton Naples is just a few miles away. The semi-private club has been designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary by Audubon International. Tiburón’s 27,000-square foot Mediterranean-style clubhouse features three dining rooms, private member locker rooms and lounge areas, as well as an award-winning golf shop.

The Bradenton Country Club will host the 2024 LPGA Drive On Championship. The 72-hole event will be held Jan. 25-28 and feature a field of 120 players competing for a $1.75 million purse.

More than likely, the Korda sisters, Jessica and Nelly, will play in their home town event.

“We are incredibly thankful to the leadership and membership of Bradenton Country Club for sharing their beautiful venue with us for the 2024 LPGA Drive On Championship,” said Ricki Lasky, LPGA Chief Tour Business and Operations Officer. “This event celebrates the LPGA’s long-standing mission – using our sport to showcase our elite players and our continued push for excellence. We know that the Bradenton community is in for a treat when the world’s best come to town in January.”

Fans can purchase tickets or view details on ticket options at SeatGeek.com and LPGA.com.

Bradenton Country Club will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2024, with the LPGA Drive On Championship serving as one of its signature celebratory events. Founded in 1924, the club boasts a classic Donald Ross design, restored in 1999 by Ron Garl and renovated in 2018 by Tony Jacklin. Located on the majestic Gulf Coast of Southwest Florida, Bradenton Country Club has hosted numerous Florida State Golf Association championships and USGA qualifiers. Among the club’s membership are Hollis Stacy, an 18-time LPGA Tour winner and 2012 World Golf Hall of Fame inductee, and Paul Azinger, a 12-time PGA Tour winner.

“The membership of Bradenton Country Club is excited to welcome the LPGA Tour and the best female players in the world to our fabulous course,” said Bob Spencer, President of the Bradenton Country Club Board of Directors. “We also look forward to welcoming the public to share in this momentous event and celebrate our 100 years in Bradenton.”

This is the sixth edition of the LPGA Drive On Championship, first played at Inverness Club in 2020 and won by major champion Danielle Kang. Later that season, Ally Ewing won at Reynolds Lake Oconee to become a Rolex First-Time Winner on Tour, with Austin Ernst victorious at Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club in 2021 for her third career win. Leona Maguire became the LPGA Tour’s first Irish winner when she captured the 2022 LPGA Drive On Championship at Crown Colony Golf and Country Club, while Celine Boutier won at Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club for the first of her three season victories so far in 2023.

In case you did not know it, there is an outstanding golf organization in Sarasota dedicated to improving the lives of physically impaired.

The Adaptive Golf Association is a 501c3 non-profit organization that provides individuals with physical, cognitive or sensory impairments, the needed resources to learn, play and enjoy the great game of golf while enhancing their lives.

Adaptive Golf Sarasota holds weekly clinics on Thursdays at The Palms Golf Club at Forest Lakes, in Sarasota, FL.

During the winter months the clinics run from 2:30-4:30 p.m. (summer is 9:30-11:30 am). It hase been doing this for 26 years and is the longest running adaptive golf program in the country and the only program that runs clinics 52 weeks a year.
It provide golf lessons and best practices to adaptive needs persons including disabled veterans, injured military members, seniors, juniors, men and women of all generations, to get back out on the course and enjoy the company of other golfers. Impairments range from stroke, spine injury, limb loss, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, MS, MD, joint replacements, cerebral palsy, macular degeneration, Parkinson’s, spina bifida, low vision/blind, hearing loss, orthopedic, arthritis, diabetes and more.

It needs help to reach 57 million people in the U.S. with a disability (that’s 1 in every 5 persons) by offering them a rehabilitative outlet, through local Adaptive Golf Association clinics.

The feet, for those able to pay, is $20 per clinic to help defer some costs. The format calls for 20 minutes on the range to warm up and provide swing advice with our PGA Golf Professional and trained coaches. We then break into golf groups and head onto the course to play 5 or 6 holes, often with a friendly match to make it fun and interesting.

To learn more please contact either:
Doug Frazier [email protected] 302-373-4166
Allen Steiger [email protected] 860-574-4858
Visit our website: http://www.AdaptiveGolf.org or our Facebook Page: Adaptive Golf Sarasota

According to the National Golf Foundation, one of the byproducts of golf’s pandemic-fueled resurgence has been an uptick in course construction.

One example in the Sarasota-Bradenton area is the reopening of Bobby Jones Golf Club. It closed prior to the pandemic, underwenst a major renovation anf opened Dec. 16.

It’s important to note, however, that the U.S. isn’t in the early stages of another building boom. The best-supplied golf market in the world is still seeing more course closures than new openings.

But landowners and developers who were sitting on the sidelines for a while are finding opportunity in certain markets that can support it. Consider that this year’s new openings were heavily weighted in states like Florida, Texas and South Carolina.

Nationwide, NGF is currently tracking 69 new courses of varying lengths and type under construction, and another 47 that are in planning (see definition below.) When it comes to courses actively under construction, the current count is a far cry from the 400+ that were being built two decades ago, but almost double the recent three-year pre-pandemic average.

NGF members interested in learning more can purchase our Construction Report, which tracks projects from the planning stages to opening day. This year, there have been more new openings in the U.S. than any time in more than a decade, some of which you can read about in this Spotlight sidebar.

The figures above pertain specifically to all-new courses, whether it’s an addition to an existing course or a ground-up project. There’s even far greater investment across the industry in the form of ongoing improvements at existing golf facilities – from renovations and restorations to full rebuilds.

When it comes to current new course development specifically, there are some marked differences:

• About two-thirds of brand-new course projects are private clubs. By comparison, private facilities account for about 25% of the national supply.
• About two-thirds of new course additions are at public facilities.

Once the year-end numbers are finalized next month, members will be able to find more in NGF’s forthcoming Facilities and Golf Industry (Graffis) reports.

Dan Smith has been playing at Bobby Jones Golf Club since 1967, the year I arrived in Sarasota.

A low handicapper, Smith has played more tournaments at Bobby Jones than most people.

That’s why he pushed city officials to renovate the courses years ago. He could not be more excited about the new Bobby Jones.

“I knew it was going to be light years better, but I was stunned,” he saId.

” Right out of the gate, the subtle stuff that changed the look: the mounding, the bunkering, the connecting of fairways and tees. There was something really cool about every hole. It’s a game changer and the practice facility is outstanding.”
Other golfers are just as impressed.

“Richard Mandell’s faithful Ross restoration brings stately city park golf back to Sarasota in the form of a highly playable classic with mellow greens & plenty of eccentric fairway mounding. The #munaissance!” – Tim Gavrich, Senior Writer, NBC Golfpass

“Bobby Jones Golf Club is an ace. The greens are larger and have more nuances and character than I remember. The fairways are wider with more mounding. You get the impression the elevation changes, where truth be told, none exist on the property. Most impressive to me is the practice facilities. Mandell has given Sarasota a spectacular golf course. Bobby Jones Golf Club is absolutely stunning.” – Michael Duranko (Sarasota Golfer and Writer)

Soleta Golf Club Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony as Construction Begins

MYAKKA CITY—Soleta Golf Club recently held a groundbreaking ceremony to officially mark construction of the highly anticipated Nick Price Design golf course that expects to open for play in late 2024.

According to Managing Partner and developer, David Turner, “The Soleta project finally is underway with equipment on site for our private residential club community. A superb Nick Price course coupled with David Leadbetter’s 30-acre “field of dreams” signature practice facility presents a golf experience unmatched by any club in the state or elsewhere.”

The 7,400 yard, par-72 Soleta Golf Club course is routed separately from the location of the planned 93 luxury residences and many other amenities. Holes will wind through the undisturbed sanctuary-like land and of great importance is the commitment to the preservation of all wetlands with absolutely no impacts to these sensitive areas. Water conservation also is a critical issue, as is the enhancement of wildlife habitat and sound environmental stewardship. Price’s courses focus on the art of strategy and his designs embody a handcrafted approach that requires a significant investment of personal hours overseeing details from start to finish.

“It’s an honor to have the opportunity to design the golf course at Soleta,” said architect Nick Price. “We’re part of a great team assembled to create a special place for golfers to play, spend time with friends and have fun. The property has wetlands, uplands, open grassland and some great trees. We’ve laid out the golf course to take advantage and incorporate those natural features into the design of holes. Importantly, no wetlands will be impacted or eliminated anywhere on the property. These natural elements will be part of what gives the golf course its natural look and feel.”

According to Price, the golf course will have a natural and open feel incorporating sand and native areas.  Course conditions will be firm and fast and challenge golfers with a variety of shot making choices.

Renowned golf instructor David Leadbetter, who has coached touring professionals to major championship titles and worldwide tournament victories, discussed his design of a world-class  practice and indoor performance facility.  Aptly named “The Field of Dreams,” the grounds will contain different grasses, a variety of greens and elevation changes to help players fine tune their games to be tournament ready.  In addition to the expansive outdoor practice areas, the indoor center will include a state-of-the-art biomechanics studio, club fitting, a putting studio, simulators and other advanced training technologies. 

Three exclusive enclaves (The Sanctuary, The Ranch and Village Bungalows) will accommodate the 93 custom built luxury residences.  Two celebrated builders, John Cannon Homes and Anchor Builders, will design the perfect lifestyle retreat.  One-acre plus estates will be available.  All home sites are conveniently situated within one mile of the clubhouse.  Additionally, 14 club cottages will be reserved for members and guests.

A limited number of National Golf memberships, in addition to Full Golf, Sports and Social categories, are available now.  For more information, contact Membership Director Alan Pope at [email protected] or (407) 284-0888.  Visit www.soletagolf.com for updates on course construction and further details about the exceptional Soleta Golf Club lifestyle community.

               

       [email protected]         

BRADENTON –David Toms won Presidents Cups for the United States in 2005, 2007 and 2011, and now, 12 years after his last team golf victory, he can stake
a claim as a member of the winning team in the first World Champions Cup.
Toms made birdie on the eighth hole of the final singles group Sunday at The Concession Golf Club to put the Americans in the lead, then split the available
points on the ninth and final hole as Team USA held on for a victory that couldn’t have been any closer. Team USA’s 221 points was just two points better than Team International’s tally over the three-day tournament. Team Europe was third with 208.
“You know, I really didn’t think we had a chance (coming down to the last few holes), because in the middle of the back nine, last time I saw a scoreboard,
we were down like six points,” Toms said. “On No. 8 I had a putt to win the hole and one of the guys in the crowd said something to the effect that it was a big putt.
“Then I got to the (ninth) tee, and I heard ‘USA! USA’ after Billy (Andrade) made his putt and I was like, man, we have to be in good shape. And then to have
to play that hole, you’re the last guy playing that hole and it was tough. You’re just trying to finish. I hit a good tee shot; that was the big part of it, trying to get that in the fairway.
“Then to have a 4-iron, I made a comment to one of the guys outside, I said I’ve hit a lot of meaningful shots in my career just because I played golf for so
long and that one right there was one of the most nervous types of situations I’ve ever had having to hit a shot not quite knowing what was going on, but after I hit it, I obviously knew what was going on. Man, I was just, I guess I was ready for the moment,
I’m not really sure, but it felt good out there.”
The World Champions Cup is an annual three-team, three-day competition contested across nine-hole matches featuring team formats and singles play,
with points being earned for each hole won in each of the event’s 24 matches. Each of the three teams competing in the World Champions Cup consisted of six players, including a Playing Captain. Inspired by the passion and tradition of the Ryder Cup and Presidents
Cup, the World Champions Cup is officially sanctioned by PGA TOUR Champions.
Jerry Kelly led all 18 players in the competition with 61 total points. He scored double-digit points in five of the six sessions.
“These guys just fought, and I mean fought really hard,” Team USA Captain Jim Furyk
said. “I’m just so happy for them. It was a pleasure to be their captain. It was a pleasure to work with them all week. We’re
good buddies every week of the year, but to get together as a team is really cool. Just so
happy for everyone.”
Following Thursday’s opening day of play featuring morning six-ball and afternoon Scotch sixsomes (modified alternate shot), Team Europe held a slim lead, with
55.5 points to Team USA’s 55 and Team International’s 51.5. Friday brought the same format but slightly different results, as the International squad surged into the lead with 111.5 points, followed by Team USA with 111 and Team Europe with 101.5.
Team International continued to play well in Sunday morning’s singles round, though their 167 points heading into the tournament’s final nine holes hardly gave them a comfortable lead. Team USA was just a half point behind, and Team Europe was also within striking distance with 153.5.
Toms scored 11 of an available 27 points in his Sunday morning match, while Kelly totaled 12.5 and Steve Sticker had 10. In the afternoon groups, Toms and Kelly
each totaled 10, while Vice Captain Billy Andrade, pressed into action when Furyk’s back issues kept him off the course, scored 11 in a matchup with Miguel Angel Jimenez and Hall of Famer Vijay Singh. Andrade had never played in a Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup.
“Just being with this team is amazing,” Andrade said. “You know, I just wanted to not be the anchor. I really wanted to contribute as much as I could. I’m just
absolutely floored to be a part of this and have this experience, especially at my age.”
The International team got 12 points from Captain Ernie Els on Sunday morning, along with 10 each from Singh and Steven Alker. Stephen Ames scored 10.5 points
Sunday afternoon, Alker had 10, and Els and K.J. Choi each totaled 9.5, but it wasn’t enough.
The U.S. team played solid,” said Team International Captain Ernie Els. “Coming down the stretch, I played with Brett Quigley, he made a solid birdie on 17
and a solid par on 18. No. 18 was playing tough, and the U.S. guys just kept grinding out the 18th. We just couldn’t make that one putt up the hill. I missed it, K.J. missed it, Vijay missed it. Unfortunately, Retief had such a tough lie.”
“What a week, what a format. This thing works.”
Team Europe fell behind Sunday morning and couldn’t keep the pace Sunday afternoon.
“Yeah, it was brilliant. The whole event was fabulous,” Team Europe Captain Darren Clarke said. “It was great. We just — unfortunately we found ourselves with
a lot to do coming into today.
We knew that anyway. The International guys and the American guys just played better than we
have this week unfortunately. Made a few more putts than Team Europe did, but that’s what
a team event — that’s what golf is sometimes, especially in the team events.”
The Concession Golf Club was named the Best New Private Course in America by Golf Digest in 2006. The seed of what would become The Concession Golf
Club was planted in 1969, with Jack Nicklaus’ famous gesture of conceding the final putt in the Ryder Cup to Tony Jacklin, clinching the first tie in the competition’s history. Decades later, the two golf legends paired up to design and create The Concession
Golf Club — a championship, privately-owned golf facility with no houses lining the course. The course has hosted the PGA TOUR’s 2021 World Golf Championships-Workday Championship at The Concession, the 2015 Men’s and Women’s NCAA Division I championships
and the biennial Concession Cup.

The long-anticipated opening of the renovated Bobby Jones Golf Course in Sarasota is finally here and the community is invited to participate in the grand reopening celebration for the club and Nature Park from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, Dec. 15 at the restored historic municipal golf course and new nature park, 1000 Circus Blvd.

The free, family-friendly event will include:

Self-guided tours of the 199-acre golf course restored to the original layout as designed by famed golf architect Donald Ross
Guided and self-guided tours of the 90-acre nature park
Remarks from local dignitaries committed to enhancing water quality, conservation and recreation
Ceremonial first ball tee-off
Commemorative keepsake for the first 450 attendees
“This will be a day to celebrate and remember,” said Mayor Liz Alpert. “Our historic municipal golf course has been restored and is a beautiful amenity for the community. The new wetlands already are cleaning stormwater and attracting wildlife. And, the nature park and trails will be a destination for birders, bicyclists, and walkers. With a conservation easement on the property, it will be protected in perpetuity. There’s no question Bobby Jones will be an urban oasis for those who enjoy green space and being outdoors for generations to come.”


The Golf Course

The golf complex features:

Restored 18-hole Donald Ross-designed course
Renewed 9-hole adjustable Gillespie Course that can be played five different ways with 30 hole options
25-acre practice facility featuring:
Driving range with 70 hitting stations
3.75 acre short game area with three chipping greens and two teardrop target greens
21,000 square foot putting green
Temporary clubhouse with food and beverage service
“Bobby Jones Golf Club in Sarasota is as significant as they come because the land on which Donald Ross created this masterpiece is still intact, allowing us to restore his original plan,” said Richard Mandell, golf course architect. “The reintroduction of strategic mounding throughout the layout Ross planned long ago will be new and different from what many Ross golf aficionados are accustomed to playing. Bobby Jones has exceeded even my expectations as we approach opening day. I’m extremely excited to play the course myself.”

Mandell introduced “tee shot distance equity” offering six tee boxes at varying distances to create an enjoyable experience for all players and maximize club selection for all talent levels. The golf course yardage extends from 4,583 yards to 6,714 yards.

“By adding forward tee distances, we’re welcoming a wider range of golfers at different skill levels,” said Sue Martin, Parks and Recreation team member who managed the golf course and shepherded the restoration. “Traditionally, red tees have been the closest to a hole, then white and blue tees farther away. Golf is evolving. With three additional tee distances, more options are available for golfers at Bobby Jones to have fun and add variety to their game, whether they’re a novice or lifelong player.”

For those who want to experience the golf course as Donald Ross originally planned, a special set of “Ross tees” allow golfers to play from the Ross distance of 6,240 yards. The course plays to a par of 71.

The Ross Course will open for golf at 7 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. Reservations can be booked online at www.BobbyJonesGolfClub.com beginning Saturday, Dec. 2.

The redesigned 9-hole Gillespie short course will reopen in early 2024 and feature adjustable holes, meaning the maintenance crew can rearrange holes. As many as 30 different hole combinations will be available, offering golfers distinct, new experiences.

The permanent clubhouse is anticipated to be constructed and open to the public in approximately two years.

The City borrowed $20 million to fund the golf course restoration and new clubhouse.

Bobby Jones Golf Club will turn 100 years old in 2027.

Nature Park at Bobby Jones

The Nature Park at Bobby Jones encompasses 90 acres on the eastern portion of the property and features crushed shell and decommissioned golf cart paths repurposed into walking/bicycling trails around the newly created wetlands teeming with wildlife. The 1.57 mile Eagle Trail is the primary path with three offshoots:  Prairie Trail (.4 mile), Hammock Trail (.12 mile) and Osprey Trail (.07 mile). Access to the trails is adjacent to the driving range.

The nature park is free and open to the public daily from dawn to dusk. The park will be closed when the golf course is closed.

Conservation Easement

Following extensive community discussion over five years, the City Commission in 2022 unanimously approved downsizing Bobby Jones Golf Club from 45-holes to 27. The non-golf green space, totaling nearly 100-acres, was designated a nature park.  

The Commission also unanimously approved a conservation easement on the property in partnership with the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast. The agreement means the City-owned property will remain a protected, preserved green space in perpetuity.

“The grand reopening of Bobby Jones Golf Club and Nature Park is truly a joyous moment for our community,” said Christine P. Johnson, president of Conservation Foundation. “We worked for years, side-by-side with the City of Sarasota, citizens and community advocacy groups to ensure the permanent protection of this centrally located park. Benefiting people and nature, kids and grown-ups, wildlife and waterways – forever protecting Bobby Jones is a win for our entire community. We are thankful for the City’s foresight and willingness to conserve this special place.”

Water Quality

Covering 307 acres, the Bobby Jones property is the single largest green space in the City of Sarasota. It is a significant floodplain in the Philippi Creek watershed and filters stormwater for 5,800 urban acres as far north as University Parkway.

To improve water quality, nearly 20 acres of wetlands were created, almost 14.5 acres of native grasses planted and 49,000 nutrient-filtering aquatic plants installed, including sawgrass, fire flag and pickerel weed.

In addition, a diversion weir was constructed along one of the main Phillippi Creek tributaries to divert water into the newly created wetlands. The water flow is regulated with two control structures in the wetlands, allowing the wetlands to serve as a regional stormwater treatment system. Ultimately, the filtered water flows into Roberts Bay, the intracoastal waters between Sarasota and Siesta Key. It is estimated 900 pounds of nitrogen and 300 pounds of phosphorus will be removed each year.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) granted the City of Sarasota $1.5 million to support the water quality improvements and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) provided a $487,500 grant.

“We’re grateful to the State of Florida for helping to fund the construction of the wetlands to improve our water quality,” said City Manager Marlon Brown. “Thank you to our many partners and supporters including SWFWMD, FDEP, Sarasota County government and the Conservation Foundation. This truly has been a significant community effort to restore our historic municipal golf course and create a new urban nature park that will be a community treasure enjoyed by generations.” 

With the installation of new drainage pipes throughout the golf course and improved land grading, the property will drain quickly and efficiently following a rain event.

The American Society of Golf Course Architects honored Bobby Jones Golf Club and architect Richard Mandell earlier this month with a 2023 Environmental Excellence Award for improving stormwater retention and drainage, while reducing the risk of flooding. Bobby Jones is the only golf course in Florida to be recognized this year with the award and one of just eight in the United States. 

Golf Management

Daily operations at Bobby Jones will be handled by Indigo Sports LLC, a private management company. Green fees will be dynamic and include a 40% reduced rate on the Donald Ross course for City of Sarasota residents.

“Our commitment to providing an exceptional experience to players of all ages and abilities remains unwavering,” said John Sparrow, Bobby Jones Golf Club General Manager. “This beautiful golf club, practice facility and nature trail will ensure that we can deliver on that promise and more.”

“We appreciate Indigo revisiting the green fees schedule and offering that deep 40% discounted rate for our residents,” said Mayor Alpert.  “Bobby Jones is a municipal course and needs to be affordable for our City residents. Depending upon the month and time of day, a resident could pay under $10 to play while walking.  That’s a very good deal. We’re very pleased with this reduced rate.”

As part of the contractual agreement with the City, Indigo is expected to pursue certification for Bobby Jones in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, with the goal of becoming certified within two years after reopening.

During a recent annual bird count, the Sarasota Audubon Society documented 45 unique species on the property.

For more information about Bobby Jones Golf Club and Nature Park and to book online tee time reservations beginning Dec. 2 for the first day of golf Dec. 16, visit www.BobbyJonesGolfClub.com or contact 941-365-GOLF(4653).