Golf Courses

SW Florida is one of the golfing centres of the USA, with the temperate climate ideal for this gentlemanly pursuit.

University Park layout: 27 holes in 3 nines

University Park, where the competitive golf will take place is a typical Florida course: 27 holes arranged with homes on many fairways and plenty of water for the unwary.  Not long by Burhill standards, it will nevertheless present a good test of golf, with some tricky greens and numerous hazards (animal, mineral and vegetable).

Bay Hill - 1 1/2 hrs drive

Copperhead 1 hrs drive

Iconic 16th hole at Sawgrass - 4hrs drive

Streamsong - 1 1/2 hrs drive

There are many other great courses in the area, available at all prices. In addition to the many golf resorts near Sarasota, for those keen to test themselves (and their wallets), Bay Hill and Copperhead are under 2 hrs drive away with TPC Sawgrass at 4hrs drive: all host PGA tour events every year.  Alternatively the two new courses at Streamsong, although relatively new, are in the top 100 courses in the US and will surely entertain (ask Duncan Hodgson...).

Weather

It is important that anyone coming is aware that February is a winter month in Florida!

Annual weather patterns in Sarasota

Whilst it is unlikely that it will rain, and it will certainly be brighter than in the UK, the actual temperatures in mid February vary wildly. It all depends on the wind direction and whether the Northern States are having a cold spell or not.

If they are, the days can be quite chilly and windy. If not, they can be glorious and balmy with the thermometer hitting the high 70sF.

Only time will tell......

Budgets

Difficult to establish as there are so many different options (flight route/class, hotel types, car quality etc.) but very roughly, the following should assist on those who wish to sketch out a budget:

Flights - starting at c. £600 Economy Class depending on exact dates etc.  If you find a BA sale can be cheaper (and booking identical flights on Iberia website has also generated savings).

Hotels - realistically these will be $150-200/night based on single occupancy. See Accommodation section for other options.

Car Hire - this should work out around £200/week, again dependent on selection.

Golf - daily prices will be between $75-100/round (or rather more if you aim for one of the premier locations, less later in the day locally).

Food/Drink - with the Brexit-devaluation (currently exchange rate is around $1.25/£), prices for most things in the US are pretty much on a par with the UK, possibly slightly lower.

What else is there to do?

Sarasota has a number of things to offer...other than golf!

a typical view of Lido Beach

The local beaches are great: soft sand and gentle waves make a great combination with the added bonus of sharks' teeth to look for too.  Best in the area are Lido and Siesta Keys.

One of many restaurants around the Circle

Also well worth a visit is the St Armand's Circle - just a few minutes walk away from Lido Beach. This is an easily strollable selection of bars, restaurants, shops and boutiques... and a great Ben and Jerr'ys ice cream store as well.

UTC Sarasota

Shopping opportunities abound - the University Town Center, one of the newest malls in the USA has just opened at the intersection of i75 and University Parkway right next to the hotel.  AS well as the usual shops (Macy's, Saxth 5th Avenue, Apple Store etc.) it has also has a good selection of restaurants.

If it's bargains you are after, then a trip to the Outlets at Ellenton (includes the likes of Ralph Lauren, Under Armour, Bose, Nike etc.) is certainly worthwhile.

Art too is well represented: the Ringling Museum in Sarasota has a surprisingly broad collection of European and Asian art, as well a Circus museum and the family house - all of which are worth a visit.

Dali Museum

Chihuly Collection

The Dali Museum in nearby St Petersburg is the best of its kind outside of Spain and the Chihuly Collection close by gives a fantastic introduction to this master glassworker.

Orlando and Tampa have their theme parks to offer to those so inclined: Bush Gardens, Disneyland and Universal Studios being the big names.

Myakka Alligators

Other things to see locally include the alligators at Myakka State Park (or at the mini golf!), the birds at the Celery Fields or for those feeling energetic, the Treeumph park offers something for all ages.  The Mote Marine Aquarium and Laboratory will also interest some.

Archive Schedule

---

Day 1 - Monday, February 5th 2018

Flight details:
BA2167 from LGW to TPA
Scheduled timing: depart at 12:30 and land at 17:20 local time

Driving instructions available here.

Accommodation:

Homewood Suites Hotel

305 N Cattleman Rd

Sarasota
Tel: +1 941 309 3904

Evening Meal
Own arrangements

---

Day 2 - Tuesday, February 6th 2018

Breakfast

Own arrangements

Golf

Playing at Lakewood National

Tee times booked from 10:00

Please meet at Pro Shop by latest 09:30

Practice facilities available

Driving directions

Take i75 North for 1 stop to SR70

Go East on SR70 through a number of lights

Take left at entrance to Lakewood National

Travel down road to Security Gate (~1 mile)

Go through Visitors entrance and follow signs to Golf/Pro Shop

Estimated journey time: 30 mins

Lunch

As the course is brand new/still in construction, there is currently neither Restaurant nor Bar there.  The Pro Shop does sell drinks and snacks and there is also a mobile golf cart which has a limited sandwich selection.

For those who are concerned about getting hungry, a visit to the newly opened Whole Foods (2 mins from hotel) will allow them to stock up with all kinds of drinks/snacks/sandwiches.

Post-Golf Drinks

Please make your way to Truman's Tap&Grill (about 10 mins from golf course)

Driving Directions

Retrace your way from golf course to SR70

Head back West towards i75 until you hit the intersection with Lakewood Ranch Blvd

Take first right after these traffic lights which is signposted to Publix and Truman's.

Evening Meal

A table for a casual dinner has been arranged at California Pizza Kitchen, which is walkable from the hotel.

---

Day 3 - Wednesday, February 8th 2018

Breakfast

Own arrangements

Golf

We shall be joining the Wednesday golf group at University Park.

Joining this week’s festivities will be nine of Martin Lawrence’s golf chums from the U.K.’s Burhill Golf Club.  Their names are highlighted below in yellow.  They will participate in the cash games, but not Big Skins.  Another addition is Mooo’s friend, Renvue Portman, who will not be in the cash game or Big Skins.

Play on 1 and 10.  $10 wager + $1 for Big Skins.

Team Game scoring – 1 Gross + 2 Net.  Full handicap.  Par is 108/108, 216 total.  1st place pays $18/man; 2nd - $12; 3rd - $9; 4th - $8; 5th - $6; 6th - $5; 7th - $4; 8th - $3; 9th - $2; 10th – The Clap.

Closest to Hole on #s 2-4-5-7-8-11-12-13-14-16.  Standard rules – please explain to guest players in your group.  Winners paid $5.

Skins – gross and net, 18 max handicap.

Tee times and teams:

11:30 – Cuviello, Kleiman, Sean Morley, Proxy
11:37 – Donini/C, Jim Heller/G, Jan Willem de Ridder, Proxy
11:45 – Lesh/G, Loundy, Lee Russell, Proxy
11:52 – Alba/C, Amspoker, Larkin/G, Steve Puckett
12:00 – Ian Caldwell, Hoffmann, Kulbako, Pizzi/C
12:07 – Bondur, Richbourg/G, Snider/C, Jon Swain
12:15 – Bennett, Bouland, Edwards, Jan Mustsaers
12:22 – Lawrence, Mumaw, Neumann, Renvue Portman
12:30 – Fairchild, Bob Heller, Kolarik/C, John Waymire
12:37 – John Albrook, Auxier/G, Spears, Van Brunt

Driving Instructions
UPCC is about 2 miles down University Parkway heading west away from the i75.
Please use the left hand visitors' entrance where you should find all your names registered as visitors to the Lawrences at 8034 Collingwood Ct.

After the entrance, proceed down Park Blvd, past one stop sign, until you see the Pro Shop across the lake on the right where you take a right hand turn into Glen Eagle crossing. Follow this around to the bag drop.  You will be asked what your tee time is. Just say that you are "playing with John Bondur's Group" and you will be fine.  Collect your buggies/clubs and please ask for directions to the Pro Shop to pay your green fees.  Don't worry about who is in which buggy: this can be sorted out once you find your playing partners (see above tbc) at the driving range/practice area.  I will be around to help!

Lunch arrangements

Most people will eat before playing (American tend to eat earlier...) or will bring their own food.

Alternatives are to grab a snack at the restaurant before you play (time may be tight!), pre-load at Whole Foods (see above), to buy a sandwich off the golf cart or to pick up a hot dog/sandwich at the bar after 9 holes.

Post Golf Drinks

Everyone will meet up for drinks at the Varsity Club afterwards where results etc. will be announced at the culmination of play.

Please note that there will be a large group playing (approx 40) so the final players will be 1 hr + behind the leaders.  For those in with the earliest tee times, you would even have time to go back to the hotel for a quick shower if you wanted.  Two showers available at the golf club if required but you will need to bring your own towel with you.

This can be quite a boozy affair and people will not leave until ~6 pm earliest.

Dinner arrangements

A table for 10 people has been reserved at Brio's Tuscan Grill for 7.30 pm 

This is located in the University Town Centre shopping mall across from the hotel and is a good walk.

---

Day 4 - Thursday, February 9th 2018

Breakfast

Own arrangements

Golf
Please aim to be at the Concession Club for 11:00
Tee times have been arranged for 12:00 onwards
The practice facilities are excellent with ProVIs on the range for example.

I will not be joining you but your host for the day will be Henry King, whom I hope you will be able to meet the previous evening.  In emergency, he can be reached on his cellphone at +1-941-321-9642

Please note that the green fee ($135) and the cart fee ($30) as well as the forecaddie fee ($28), giving a total of $193 must be paid using a credit card, cash is NOT accepted. In addition, the normal caddie tip of $25 is payable after the round in cash.

Driving Directions
Allow 30 mins for the drive.  Go North on i75 for one exit, taking SR70 East off the freeway. Go 11 miles east to Lindrick Lane, marked as the entry to Concession.

Dinner arrangements
BBQ at Martin's House in UPCC.
You are invited for 7 pm
Directions as per Wednesday. Once you are in the Park, please take the second right (Gleneagles) then across the first stop sign and take a right at the second, marked as Richmond Park, onto Collingwood Ct.  We are the 6th house on the RHS, number 8034. Park on the road please.

---

Day 5 - Friday, February 10th 2018

Breakfast

Own arrangements

Golf
Day 1 of Match vs UPCC
Details to follow

Dinner Arrangements
Tables have been reserved at La Scarpetta
TripAdvisor review is pretty good.

Driving Instructions
Take University Park Blvd west from i75 until you hit Tuttle Avenue where you go south for about 10 miles until you reach the restaurant at 3809 Tuttle.  Restaurant is an unprepossessing location on LHS. If you reach Bee Ridge then you have gone too far...

---

Day 6 - Saturday, February 11th 2018

Breakfast

Own arrangements

Golf
This will be an early start!  Expect to be at UPCC course by 0745.
Details to follow

Lunch Arrangements
We shall lunch at UPCC after the golf

Afternoon
Free time - see https://dogsinusa.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/what-else-is-there-to-do.html for some ideas...

Dinner Arrangements
Tables have been booked at Café l' Europe, on St Armand's Circle, for 7:30 pm.  I suggest we either meet there or, for those so inclined, for a drink beforehand upstairs at The Terrace at Surf Shack (on the circle at 328 John Ringling Blvd).  If the weather's ok, I would watching the sunset on Lido Beach before this is worth considering.

Driving Directions
Take University Parkway West to 301, carry on across in the direction of the Sarasota Airport.  After the airport, take a left on to 41 (Tamiami Trail) heading south for 12 miles until you reach John Ringling Blvd, when you take a right across the causeway bridge in the direction of Lido Beach.  When you get to the Circle take any parking that you can find as it may be busy...

---

Day 7 - Sunday, February 12th 2018

Breakfast

Own arrangements

Check out from hotel, unless you can arrange late checkout

Golf
Day 2 of match vs UPCC
Format: Singles Matchplay
More details to follow

Lunch Arrangements
I am hoping that we shall complete golf in time for lunch/prize giving/speeches etc.

Flight Details
BA2167 from Tampa is scheduled to depart at 19:25.
You need to be there by 17:30 latest.
The drive is 1 hr traffic free, so probably best to aim for a departure at 16:00