Designed by Gordy Lewis, the course measures 7,344 yards from the tips, but a friendlier 6,034 from the men’s regular Silver tees. The USGA recently came and gave these ratings/slopes: Black tees – 74.2/129, Gold – 71.1/122, Silver – 68.8/116, Jade – 68.7/113.

After playing the course, I think that the USGA folks may need to come back soon and re-rate this track. I love the player friendly wide fairways and large greens. At Sarasota National it’s all about the greens. For a brand new golf layout, the greens (as well as the rest of the course) are in great shape - smooth and relatively fast. But when you get to the green you still have a real challenge getting the ball in the hole. Partially due to the size of the greens and the various pin placement options, but more owing to the multi-sectioned greens that often slope from center to back, putting here is a real test of your touch and green reading skills. Putt well and you’ll shoot an excellent round.

The signature holes are the brawny #7 Par 5 that is called the “Boomerang” (since it has that shape as it moves along the large lake on the left), the strong, visually tough Par 3 #8, and the testing #16 Par 4 that requires a threaded tee shot through the trees off the Gold tees (“Gordy’s Revenge”).

I don’t recall ever having played a golf course so new to the world. Just think. You could be the person to shoot the course record (at least for now). Maybe be the first to drive the short, but tricky #13 Par 4 and make the first eagle there. No one had their name up on the Hole-In-One plaque. Why not put your name at the top for golfers to admire for years to come? Sarasota National is a blank canvas. Paint your masterpiece.