Gator Creek Estates

Located near the Myakka River State Park, east of I-75 and about 14 miles from downtown Sarasota, Gator Creek Estates is an equestrian and golf course community environment surrounded by natural splendor and the ultimate in privacy. This deed-restricted community was purposely developed with a limited number of homes to fully preserve the natural surroundings and provide solitude for its residents.

The centerpiece of this community is the Gator Creek golf course, a private championship 18-hole golf course. The course has three sets of teeboxes offering a challenging round of golf for all levels of play. The downside to Gator Creek is that Gator Creek golf course and country club is for men only. Hard to believe in this day and age, but true.

Horses are allowed in this equestrian-friendly neighborhood and for those with horses, the community offers a scenic 1 1/2 mile bridal trail.

Homes range in price from about $450,000 to nearly $1.5 million for the largest executive homes. Virtually all of the upscale homes in Gator Creek Estates are set secluded from the street on very large lots, most in excess of 5 acres.

Laurel Oaks & Laurel Oaks Estates -

A Sarasota Florida Haven for Lovers of Golf


Laurel Oaks, located 1.5 miles east of I-75 off Bee Ridge Road, is a gated golf course community where homeowners enjoy the casual golf course lifestyle in elegant homes.

Laurel Oaks features two two beautiful golf courses, an 18 hole course designed by Gary Player, and another appealing 18-hole course recently re-designed by Rees Jones. set amid a pristine environment of wetlands and nature preserves. The Club is private and member-owned. Amenities at the recently renovated 45,000 square foot clubhouse include 12 Har-Tru tennis courts, a junior Olympic size heated swimming pool and Jacuzzi.

Most homes range in size starting at 2,800 to about 4,000 square feet and are priced from about $700,000 to $1.5 million. The more luxurious estate homes up to 10,000 square feet can range in price up to $3 million. All of the upscale homes in Laurel Oaks Estates sit on very large lots. Architectural styles vary with each builder. The community is laid out with a limited number of homes in order to fully preserve the natural surroundings and provide a quiet solitude.

An avid golfer as well as a competent Sarasota Realtor, Janet Dugan or Sarasota real estate specialist, Bob Henley would be happy to show you around this very appealing Sarasota golf course community.

University Park Golf Course Community

University Park, located right on the border between Sarasota and Bradenton, is one of the most sought after golf course communities in the Sarasota - Bradenton area. As you drive through the gated entrance and along the golf course you will appreciate the lush tropical foliage that other newer communities lack.

University Park offers a multitude of home choices. You can purchase an elegant mansion on the golf course, a cozy maintenance free patio home or single family home overlooking a lake or condo. A diverse mix of residence style and residents make University Park a wonderful place to live.

The setting at University Park Country Club is magnificent, gently nestled in a natural enclave, far removed from the urban pace. Here nature has been carefully preserved to provide a backdrop of rare beauty -- the perfect location for the area’s award winning residential community and premier country club lifestyle. The country club also offers golf, tennis, croquet, lawn bowling and a very active social scene.

There is a golf course home among the University Park real estate offerings that is just right for you and your family whether you are a young family, a retiree, or a single professional. Experience the paradise that is Sarasota Florida and its many attractive neighborhoods like University Park.

Providing you with Sarasota real estate information on homes and condos for sale in all price ranges is the primary goal of the Sarasota Realtors who provide this blog. They invite you to learn more about Sarasota from either Connie Belmont, an experienced Sarasota realtor, or Judie Berger, Sarasota and Siesta Key realtor. If you are more interested in the Bradenton area, you may wish to contact Brian Ward, a certified Bradenton Real Estate Buyer Representative. Amy of these Sarasota area Realtors would be delighted to be of assistance.

Rotary Club Donation Aids Special Needs Kids Playground

The Sarasota Herald Tribune recently reported on a noteworthy donation by six area Rotary Clubs to assist special needs children to enjoy a playground built especially for them even during the heat of the Florida summer.

Students, staff, friends, and families of Sarasota's Oak Park School, which serves exceptional students, some with hearing or visual impairments, gathered at Oak Park School's playground under a new canopy. They were there to dedicate the school's latest donation from area Rotary Clubs, additional playground equipment including the sunshade canopy erected recently over part of the Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible playground area.

Special equipment at the Oak Park School playground allows students to use wheelchairs or other heavy equipment to feel the freedom of swinging in the wind and the thrill of descending the curved slide as well as a shaded area for learning situations. "The temperatures can rise very high out here in the summer and students use the playground all day long to increase sensory skills or practice Braille. The playground is an integral part of our curriculum," said Oak Park Assistant Principal Phyllis Frederic. "Having the canopy out here is wonderful."

Several speakers at the dedication ceremony expressed their appreciation of the way area groups pull together to benefit the community as a whole. This donation of funds and labor by the six Rotary Clubs is just one more example of the community-oriented spirit of so many Sarasota - Bradenton area residents and organizations. It is one more reason why so many people choose to live and work in the sarasota Florida area.

Jacaranda West Golf Course Community

With two challenging 18-hole courses, Jacaranda West in Venice, Florida is recognized as a premier golf and tennis community with an impressive clubhouse and a pleasant mix of younger families and active golf-loving retirees.

The Country Club at Jacaranda West is a private club with many social activities and a full restaurant. It is one of the rare Florida courses that allows golfers to walk our beautifully maintained course or use a golf cart if they prefer.

Jacaranda West was developed in the 1960’s and early 1970’s by renowned architects in the area who created single-family homes in a truly relaxing neighborhood setting. There are also maintenance-free condos and villas. Residents have delightful golf course views, easy access to downtown Venice and proximity to all Sarasota arts and cultural venues.

You may wish to visit the Jacaranda West Golf Course website. If you would like to know more about golf course living in the Jacaranda West golf course community or about other Venice and Sarasota Florida area golf course communities, I'd be happy to introduce you to this lovely golf community and other Sarasota real estate offerings in all areas and price ranges.

For more Sarasota County golf course community information on homes and condos for sale in Sarasota, Osprey and Venice Florida in all price ranges you may wish to visit Brian Ward's Sarasota real estate website at your convenience. Brian invites you to call him directly at 941-228-2321 or at his RE/MAX Office at 941-360-7777.

Laurel Oaks - Golf Course Community With a Bonus for Boat Lovers

Laurel Oaks, including Laurel Oaks Estates, located 1.5 miles east of I-75 off Bee Ridge, is a gated golf course community where home owners enjoy the casual golf course lifestyle in larger, more elegant homes than in some other golf course communities.

Laurel Oaks features two two beautiful golf courses, an 18 hole course designed by Gary Player, and another appealing 18-hole course recently re-designed by Rees Jones. set amid a pristine environment of wetlands and nature preserves. The Club is private and member-owned. Amenities at the recently renovated 45,000 square foot clubhouse include 12 Har-Tru tennis courts, a junior Olympic size heated swimming pool and Jacuzzi.

Members of the Laurel Oaks Country Club, who also like boating, are offered a unique opportunity in that Laurel Oaks has a partnership with the Bird Key Yacht Club allowing its members use of the facilities of Bird Key Yacht Club year-round.

Most homes range in size starting at 2,800 to about 4,000 square feet and are priced from about $700,000 to $1.5 million. The more luxurious estate homes up to 10,000 square feet can range in price up to $3 million.

All of the upscale homes in Laurel Oaks Estates sit on very large lots. Architectural styles vary with each builder. The community is laid out with a limited number of homes in order to fully preserve the natural surroundings and provide a quiet solitude.

If you'd like more information on this golf cpommunitiy, I'd advise you check out the websites of either Rich Stover, Sarasota Golf Course real estate expert and avid golfer or Bob Henley, a Sarasota Bradenton golf course homes realtor. Another fine Sarasota real estate professional we've worked with is Dick Plumb of Hunt Florida Realty. Any of these gentlemen would be more than happy to assist you.

Heritage Harbour - New Bradenton Florida Golf Community

Heritage Harbour is a new master planned golf course community in Bradenton, Florida bordering the Manatee River just east of I-75. Heritage Harbour is situated on more than 2,500 acres of riverfront property including 200 acres of island in the Manatee River.

According to Brian Ward, an astute Bradenton real estate observer and Realtor, Heritage harbour residents enjoy numerous amenities offered by this popular new community including golf, convenient shopping and the many outdoor activities. The community is comprised of manicured natural preserves and lush landscaping, beautiful boulevards and the grand Signature Lighthouse adjacent to Central Park. The centerpiece of the community is 70-acre Beacon Lake surrounded by a trail for walking, jogging, skating,and biking. In this wonderful park, you and your family can enjoy swimming, tennis, basketball and volleyball, as well as fishing, canoeing and just relaxing in a gazebo.

Rich Stover, expert golfer and Sarasota golf course specialist reports that the Stoneybrook golf course at Heritage Harbour is a test of championship caliber golf. The 18-hole, par-72 course plays through a landscape highlighted by mature woods, wetland preserves, ponds, and lakes.

If you would like to know more about the Heritage Harbour golf course community, I can recommend several Sarasota area Realtors who would be happy to introduce you to this wonderful new Bradenton Florida golf course community.

Contact Bob Henley, a dedicated Sarasota real estate agent or Dick Plumb of Hunt Florida Realty, a prominent Sarasota Bradenton golf course homes specialist Realtor, or Judie Berger, an avid golfer as well as a competent Sarasota homes for sale expert.

Any of these real estate professionals would be delighted to be of service to you.