Sarasota Ritz-Carlton Becomes Florida’s
Newest Up-Scale Destination Resort
Story & Photos by: Ed Stone
Golfers and especially those with families looking for the best in golf, accommodations, special amenities and outstanding service need look no further than the beautiful area of Sarasota, Florida. This long-time appealing area for vacationers now boasts the recently opened Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club, Sarasota. In November 2001, the 266 room hotel opened as more of a ‘city hotel’” The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, Florida. The property makes a concerted effort of adding more family oriented amenities, a Mobil Four-Star spa, a 30,000 square foot beach club on the Gulf of Mexico and now the Tom Fazio designed golf course, it is truly a destination resort.
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Derik Draper & Javier Olirus welcome guest to The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota
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The Ritz Carlton, Sarasota, FL
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Upon checking into The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, the doorman graciously greets you (Javier Olirus or Derik Draper) dressed in top hats and tails. The registration personnel are just as attentive, providing information about your accommodations and the local area. As you are escorted to your room by a friendly bellman, he makes sure you are comfortable, gives valuable information and answers questions. Just what the discriminating traveler is seeking after a long day on the road.
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Tom Fazio reviews the layout of The Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club with Martha and Bob Buford
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Bob Buford, a self-made man, is the financier behind the development of this outstanding product. He is owner of Zenith Drilling Corporation in Wichita, Kansas. He and his wife, Martha, of nearly 50 years are not golfers. Bob was born in Bowlegs, Oklahoma, growing up in oilfield camps in Oklahoma and Texas. He graduated from Oklahoma State University and served seven years in the Army Reserve. In the late 50’s, his mentor, Bill Murfin, gave him the opportunity to join Murfin Drilling Company as Manager of Drilling operations. In 1966, Bob formed Zenith Drilling Corporation and is today one of the largest in the Midwest. Throughout the years he has been involved in other business ventures including cattle, land, and real estate development. (On a personal note, Bob Buford is one of the nicest people you will ever want to meet…ditto for Martha, too.)
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The Ringling Museum is one of Sarasota's finest
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The Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club is located approximately 10 miles from the hotel. The drive is very pleasant and directions are easy to find the facility. From The Ritz-Carlton, take a left on U.S. 41/U.S. Take a right at the Ringling Museum (A great place to enjoy some of the best art and circus memorabilia anywhere.), onto University Parkway and State Road 610. Travel approximately 5 miles to Lorraine Road and turn left. Go three miles and the entrance to The Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club is on the right.
The Tom Fazio designed Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club is quite impressive and offers many unique features. For starters, this course is not in a housing development. The practice facilities are the best…period. The 315 acres of tropical landscape for the course and facilities are dedicated to golf and golf only. Fazio, attending the grand opening of his latest Florida accomplishment, stated that The Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club course was the largest landscape budget he has ever had in the Sunshine State. From the entrance to the facility, to the practice tee, through all 18 holes, this is a showplace featuring native and indigenous plants, flowers, trees and ground covers making this a “must see and must play” golf course in the Southeast. No matter what the season, something is in bloom, i.e. plumbago, periwinkle, ice pink and purple oleander and bougainvillea.
With six sets of tees, from championship lengths of 7,417 yards to forward tees of 5,175 yards, golfers of all skill levels can play the course at a length that will challenge them. Says Fazio, "The strong low handicap player will want to attack the direct lines of play. But for the higher handicapper, we’ve created options and varieties around strong hazards."
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PGA pro & caddie, Bobby Britton poses for photo after round of golf with Fran & me
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Adding an extra special touch to the enjoyment of playing this course is the Caddie Concierge Program. The caddie is specially trained and understands the needs of the golfer. The website boosts that the Caddie is trained to “provide professional course strategy and design information, as well as chilled, rum-and-lime-soaked oshibori towels, fresh-cut Florida citrus fruit and your preferred refreshment throughout the game.” Golfers can walk the course with a caddie or use a forecaddie. The caddie for my cart was Bobby Britton and for the other cart was Tom Welch. Getting to know the course though the eyes and experience of the caddie allows you to have “local course” knowledge even if it is your first round.
Bobby is a handsome young PGA professional working until his club pro position is available in McDonough, Georgia in May 2006. He is a scratch golfer and earned his PGA card in 2002. He was very attentive and helped with straitening out my slice, but he is no miracle worker!
Tom is an interesting individual who hails from Manchester, New Hampshire and spent most of his career training hackney ponies. He recently spent a stint working as a caddie at Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Georgia. Tom is very affable and attentive to his player needs.
Glen Murray was recently hired as the Head Golf Professional. Murray states, "We have a world-class golf staff to meet the needs of the facility. Everything is new, so our team has an opportunity to be a part of something special and put the stamp of The Ritz-Carlton on an unparalleled facility." He was previously Assistant Golf Professional at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club Orlando, Grande Lakes. Prior to coming to Sarasota, he was Head Golf Professional with the Nick Faldo Golf Institute in Orlando.
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Tom Fazio, golf course architect
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Tom Fazio was the ideal person to design this golf course and was a delight to interview. His impressive credentials speak for his ability to create such an impressive facility. As an interviewee, he is articulate and he provides interesting background about the subject. During the opening of The Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club in Sarasota, he made the following comments:
- When planning and designing the Sarasota Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club golf course, he compares to having a blank canvas and a great frame to place his work. The land had been a tomato field and there were few obstacles he had to deal with in his design, i.e., grading elevations, lakes, etc.
- “Having the landscape budget was the icing on the cake with a cherry on top.”
- The course is not designed for a high or low handicap golfer. Tom had to design from the back tees, but the course is designed for all levels. There is a great variety from the tees and there are very few forced carries on the course.
- Having a practice area has become a major part of any golf course. Land has become so expensive, but the public demands such a facility. This course spared no expense in the expansive practice area.
- Biggest challenge in building the Sarasota Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club was dealing with droughts, hurricanes, erosion and keeping as many existing trees as possible.
- Respecting the environment and keeping it environmentally friendly was a primary objective and he was able to do so with a quality experience.
- “I do not have a specific style. Of the some 30 or 40 courses I have built in Florida, I tried to make each of them unique and distinctive.”
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The Sarasota Ritz-Carlton's beach club...very upscale.
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To those of us who enjoy the game of golf and first-class accommodations, the Sarasota Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club is the perfect place. Knowing an individual like Bob Buford with such strong character has created this distinctive facility; the course designed by Tom Fazio, a legend in his field and operated in the style of Ritz-Carlton…this is a place for all seasons.
As a reward for playing a great game or soothing the aching muscles, be sure to treat yourself to The Ritz-Carlton Members Spa Club. This is a full-service wellness destination featuring massage therapies, body treatments, facials and salon services inspired by indigenous natural treasures. There are 16 treatment rooms for massage therapy, hydro-therapy, facials and skin treatments, plus saunas, steam rooms, whirlpools and relaxation lounges to provide you the ultimate Spa experience.
Sarasota is blessed with good weather during the fall, winter and early spring. Mix in the fact that the city is strategically located on the Gulf of Mexico and is easily accessible via I-75 and an airport. Within the area there are plenty of public and private golf courses. This area has become very popular for the upscale-gated communities featuring golfing, boating and tennis facilities. So, when The Ritz-Carlton came on the scene a few years ago, the market was primed and hungry for what is now being offered.
The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota
1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive
Sarasota, Florida 34236 USA
Telephone: (941) 309-2600
Facsimile: (941) 309-2603