In Centennial Year, Storied Club Continues to Innovate
Sarasota, Fla. – Sara Bay Country Club—a member-owned private golf club with a significant place in American golf lore—has begun a multi-million-dollar renovation project that will transform its Clubhouse and enhance its member experience. Work is expected to be completed by early 2027.
The totally revitalized clubhouse interior will feature a fresh aesthetic, with the existing dining room and bar area reimagined as a dynamic, centralized gathering space. The artful reimagining of the grill room and bar space creates a sophisticated and inviting atmosphere, ideal for socializing and post-round celebrating. Other enhancements include the expansion of outdoor dining areas and open-air spaces that will allow for elevated al fresco dining. Locker rooms and the boardroom are also being refreshed and updated, and a new multi-use dining and card room will further foster member camaraderie.
“We are thrilled to bring our members and prospective members an exciting new chapter in Sara Bay history with these exceptional renovations and facility upgrades,” said John Spiess, General Manager. “What’s exciting is that the project is intentional and on trend with what today’s private club members want most. Our Board of Directors surveyed the membership to prioritize the scope of the renovations. Sara Bay is going to be an even more attractive second home with an inviting elegance that brings pride and enjoyment to the members.”
Sara Bay figures prominently in American golf history. Its golf course, which opened in 1926, has long been regarded as one of the best Donald Ross-design layouts in the country. Recent renovation work overseen by architect Kris Spence restored the greens, green surrounds, and angles of play Ross originally designed, but that were changed over the course of a century of play. In 1926, the course famously hosted the “Match of the Century” between Walter Hagen and Bobby Jones. It was also the site of the PGA Senior Championships in 1940 and 1941, as well as the LPGA Sarasota Open from 1952-54 and the Symetra Sara Bay Classic from 2012-17.
As part of that commitment to celebrating its history, Sara Bay is retaining the exterior of the 1920s Spanish Renaissance-style clubhouse, which sits on a pine-topped knoll selected by Ross so it would command the view and look over the first tee and final green. Just as it did a century ago, the spacious building features buff stucco walls, a red-tile roof, wide palm-fringed terraces, and broad French doors, providing both an aesthetic and amenity-rich oasis for members and guests. The redesigned interior will also include a history hall off the main entrance with display cases to showcase artifacts and other memorabilia of the club’s 100-plus years of service and dedication to the game and the region.
The Club celebrates its Centennial this year, and with the exciting reworking and remodeling of its course and Clubhouse looks forward to beginning the next century with the look, feel, and energy of an all-new property.
“We are committed to enhancing our facility for our vibrant membership to enjoy for many years to come,” said Perry Pogany, President of the Board of Directors, Sara Bay Country Club. “These renovations are a testament to our members’ support and dedication, ensuring a lasting legacy for future generations.”
Clubhouse Renovation Details
General Contractor: JE Charlotte Construction, based in southwest Florida, provides a full range of commercial construction management services, backed by more than 30 years’ experience in the commercial building industry.
Architect: CMSA, a Sarasota based, luxury architecture firm specializing in award-winning waterfront homes, golf clubs, and timeless residential design.
Interior Design: KSD Clubhouse Interiors, also based in Sarasota, specializes in creating simple and timeless clubhouse interior designs.
For more information, visit https://sarabaycc.org.
Media Contact
Karen Moraghan
Hunter Public Relations
kmoraghan@hunter-pr.com
908/963-6013
