I discussed the course history (designed originally by Bill Mitchell in 1961 and with Sam Snead as the touring pro) with Director of Golf Joey Rassett and Superintendent Tim McKenna. They spoke about some of the future modifications they hope to make as the entire course and facility goes under a multi-million dollar facelift. Tim is trying out a new type of grass for the course called Paspalum that stays green year round and resists the salt air to yield a great playing surface. Joey is looking forward to a revamping of the course by Jones as the actual tweaks are still being discussed.

The Islandside course measures 6,792 from the back tees with a couple of really strong par 3’s into the wind on the back nine. For most resort guests, the layout plays at 6,153 with a rating/slope of 69.6/129. Joey Rassett (who played on the Walker Cup and the PGA Tour in the 1980s) played some golf with me on the Islandside to point out the way around the many lakes and ponds that dot the course. Bring some extra balls for your first trip over this track. A few miles up Gulf of Mexico Drive, there is also the Harborside course with three nines that overlook Sarasota Bay that I plan to visit in the near future.