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Longboat Key Club Islandside Course Provides Tropical Links
May 02, 2008
Situated on the island of Longboat Key just west of Sarasota on the southwest Gulf Coast, the Longboat Key Club and Resort has all a golfer could want on an island vacation. The course sets on a true piece of links land complete with a good sea breeze. With the upcoming renovation design work of noted architect Rees Jones, this layout may have even more of a Scottish look and feel about it in the future.

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.

From luxurious ocean view guest rooms to the spa, fitness center, practice range and short game area ,you’ll find plenty to do here and lots of attention to service from the helpful staff. Find out more on their website: www.longboatkeyclub.com.
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Longboat Key Club and Resort Entrance
Credit: Frank Fenton, VISIT FLORIDA Golf Expert
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