The Land of Nice People
Laurel Oak Country Club—Expand your Playground

BY MARK PAZDUR, PUBLISHER

SARASOTA, FLORIDA: Google’s definition of redesign is the act of altering the appearance, function, or structure of something previously created. The search engine’s definition of renovation is restoring to a more modern state. While there is a nuance between the words, the distinction is significant in golf. As clubs reinvest in their facilities, there is a growing debate on what point of change “crosses the line” to keep the original golf course architect’s name on the scorecard.

During Laurel Oak Country Club’s restoration of its Jones Course, the club had an “ace up its sleeve.” Steve Weisser, the vice president and senior designer at Rees Jones, Inc., was the project manager of the original redesign in 2005. “There has definitely been an evolution of technology in golf course architecture over the years. Advances in technology have enhanced efficiency and improved communication with design and planning. Virtual meeting platforms make it easier for us to keep the membership informed. But in many ways, technology cannot replace being on-site, working directly with club representatives and the construction team. Technological improvements have made the process more efficient, but we still need to be in the field to refine the subtle nuances that cannot be replicated on a screen,” explained Weisser. “But the first step remains the same. You evaluate the existing infrastructure and branch out from there. A renovation is significantly different from a course built from scratch. With a renovation, you know the membership’s likes and dislikes. During the construction process, we continued to work closely with the renovation committee to identify areas that could be improved while preserving the characteristics of the golf course that the members have grown to love.”

The renovation of the existing Jones course is now in full swing, with much of the construction complete. “Through careful planning, we were able to keep the costs within the budget. The membership approved an infrastructure improvement project, but the end result has far exceeded expectations. What began as a necessary upgrade has evolved into a golf course transformation, with many members feeling as though they have an entirely new course to enjoy,” said Weisser.

“The renovation isn’t a simple enhancement. We are rebuilding all of the green and bunker complexes. It’s no small job, but the membership will reap the benefits,” continued Weisser. “We started the project on April 9th to ensure that all greens could be sprigged by early July in order to have the course reopen in time for the winter season. The goal was to have all the grass mature before Florida’s rainy season and to take advantage of the long summertime daylight.

“When you are moving vast amounts of soil, you never know what you might find,” chuckled Weisser. “Although we haven’t had any unusual finds at Laural Oak, several years ago, during construction of Golf Santander in Spain, we unearthed an unexploded ordinance dating back to the Spanish Civil War from the 1930s. Needless to say, our crew was abuzz with conversation!”  As the construction process continued, Steve agreed that the course looked different from what it did 20 years ago. “The greens have a small footprint, and over time, sand built up on bunker slopes that created a challenge of gracefully entering and exiting the hazards. I must admit, I didn’t recognize several of the holes because they had changed. When the new greens are in place, we will reclaim many of the hole locations that disappeared as the greens matured and shrunk in size,” said Weisser.

“Where Everyone Knows Your Name”
Laurel Oak Country Club is a private golf community with two championship golf courses (Gary Player and Rees Jones designs) spread across more than 800 acres of lush tropical landscape. In addition to the expected amenities of 12 Har-Tru tennis courts, pickleball, the Swim Center (featuring a six-lane junior Olympic swimming pool), and a bevy of activities, the club offers reciprocal benefits at Bird Key Yacht Club.

“Hampton Golf has the pleasure of being affiliated with Laurel Oak since 2019,” commented MG Orender, former president of the PGA of America and current CEO of Hampton Golf. “The first time I walked on the property, I could see what a special club this was, and how much better it could be. We have been fortunate to work with Boards that have vision and the courage to act on that vision. Every year, we have undertaken a new project to add to or upgrade the amenities. We sent one of our best general managers [Jamie Selby], who is not only creative but also a great executor of a plan. It has been an incredible combination for what has been accomplished.”

“Our course and clubhouse renovations show our commitment to maintaining our position as one of the best private clubs along the Florida Suncoast,” reported Jamie Selby, COO/GM at Laurel Oak Country Club. “The caring culture between our staff and members is evident. It’s mutual and not superficial.

“While our trophy case is full of community awards, it’s what our members say that counts the most. I consider us the best family course in Great Sarasota!”

For more information on the Laurel Oak lifestyle, please visit LaurelOak.com.

About Rees Jones

After graduating from Yale and doing graduate studies at Harvard and the University of California, Berkeley, he worked as a principal at Robert Trent Jones, Inc. Ten years later, in 1974, he founded his own design firm, Rees Jones, Inc. He has designed or renovated over 300 golf courses in his career. Jones has earned the moniker “The Open Doctor” for his work in preparation for numerous major championships. His renovation and restoration skills have been applied to seven U.S. Open venues, nine PGA Championship courses, six Ryder Cup competitions, and two Walker Cup sites, as well as three Presidents Cup venues.

“The leaders, including members and management, at Laurel Oak have a common trait with other high-end clubs—it’s a group that never stands still. They responsibly plan for each project. When one phase of club improvements is complete, the next phase starts. Successful clubs are those that plan for the future monetarily by generating revenue well before the event. I think that is one of Laurel Oak’s strongest assets.

“With a median age of membership being 57, Laurel Oak is spry and filled with active golfers. With our renovations, we want to ensure the course remains fun and playable for golfers of every caliber. We want a good shot to be rewarded and an errant shot not to be severely penalized. Also, we created options for all players, whether it be attacking the hole on the ground versus an aerial shot. There is an art to crafting a design that will challenge the skilled player yet be playable for a higher-handicap player. The course should provide strategy, variety, and drama for all players. We want the course to be engaging and memorable for members and their guests, so they will want to play it time and time again. The key is functionality and playability for everyone.

“Yes, artificial intelligence plays a role in golf course architecture, but it can’t replace quality shapers or having ‘boots on the ground.’” — Rees Jones