Sara Bay CC
Hole 11 / 452 Yards / Par-4
Sarasota, FL, USA
Architect: Donald Ross (1926)
Updated Kris Spence (2018)
Founded in 1926, as Whitfield Estates Country Club, Sara Bay Country Club has flown under the radar for more than nine decades. Several unsympathetic renovations down the years erased much of the initial design intent.
In 2017, the club commissioned Kris Spence to restore the greens and bunkers which Donald Ross envisioned. Spence used Ross’ original hand drawings to painstakingly return each bunker and putting surface to the character intended.
The work was completed in 2018 and a number of Ross aficionados believe Sara Bay is now Florida’s truest Ross design.
Spence clearly agrees: “The finished product is splendid, Donald Ross in all his charm. Say what you will about Seminole, but Sara Bay may be the most authentic Donald Ross design in the Sunshine State.”
Hole 11 is among the strongest of two-shot holes at Sara Bay. Spence rebuilt the green and the bunkering in 2018.
“While the fairway is fairly wide, the approach shot must be played over three trademark Ross bunkers that lie 40 yards short of the green, ” said John Spies, Director of Golf.
“The green has a spine in the middle with a false front on the left side of the green. If your second shot misses the green or finds the wrong part, it will be a very difficult to walk off the green with a par.”
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Photo and Rendering / Courtesy: Sara Bay CC
Related: Reid Covington interview
M. James Ward
A long-time member of both the GWAA and MGWA. The 68-year-old has covered all facets in golf since 1980 — including reporting on over 100 major championships and 13 Ryder Cup matches. His writings have appeared in various outlets. On a personal level, has played over 2,000 courses globally and is lead reviewer for Top 100 Golf Courses.
Previously served for 17 years as national course rating panelist for Golf Digest. Has also personally competed in USGA Championships. Resides in the metro New York City area with his wife Celeste. Favorite quote paraphrased for golf — “You are what your golf score says you are.”