The Founders Club is ending 2020 on a high note with the recent sale of the luxury Davidson model, more than $20 million in overall sales for the last 11 months and a 35 percent year-over-year increase in new memberships. The Founders Club is celebrating a banner year of success as they introduce homebuyers to Sarasota’s premier golf club community.

Sales momentum climbed throughout the year with 20 sales, including new homesite sales, model homes sold and new homes under construction by some of Sarasota’s finest luxury homebuilders. New private residences underway include designs by AR Homes, Lee Wetherington Homes and London Bay Homes – all whom are building or recently completed new custom model homes that showcase designs complementing The Founders Club lifestyle. 

“The interest throughout this year has been tremendous,” said Melissa Dovey, sales executive at The Founders Club. “We’re seeing people come from all over – as close as Lakewood Ranch, to California, Chicago, Kentucky and Texas – motivated by optimal weather, favorable financial opportunities, expansive open spaces, privacy and proximity to beaches and Sarasota’s cultural district.”

One couple was recently drawn to The Founders Club’s natural ambience and privacy, with only 262 homesites – as well as possibilities for expansive views of the nature preserves, wetlands and golf course.

“After guiding them through the community and providing an opportunity to play a round of golf on the championship course, the couple immediately felt right at home with the camaraderie and friendliness of the club,” said Dovey. “When a hawk landed on a post on the homesite they were considering – it was a majestic moment.”

With a variety of amenities to indulge in both active and leisurely pursuits along with the fairways of the Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed golf course and acres of nature preserves, membership has remained apace at all three club levels: Social, Associate Golf, and Golf.

“This summer, we saw an even higher interest for our limited summer membership,” said Juliette Valin, general manager at The Founders Golf Club. “Many were looking for things to do outside with their families, and our location provided them with an ideal setting surrounded by lush and mature greens complimented by a variety of active programs, such as tennis, yoga and Pilates. Our golf course is also in the best shape it’s ever been.”

 The Club recently completed a $600,000 course renovation that included updates to the bunkers and greens. Golf is a core part of life at The Founders Club. No tee times are required and crowds are never an issue, since membership is limited to 275. Members can walk the course at their own pace – utilizing Sarasota’s only traditional caddie program – and enjoy the game as it’s meant to be. The Club’s 7,094-yard, par 72 layout features a backdrop of mighty oak, pine and palm trees and is dotted with tranquil lakes, unspoiled wetlands and natural buffers of untamed landscapes.

Additional amenities at The Founders Club include the 24,000-square-foot Golf Hall. The member-owned club offers casual and fine dining, a golf pro shop, men’s and women’s locker rooms, and a state-of-the-art fitness center, along with Har-Tru® tennis courts, basketball and sand volleyball courts and a picnic pavilion. In addition, the Club has just added Whatmore Performance Training, which has trained athletes from the Challenge European tour, Korn Ferry tour, Canadian tour, Latin America, PGA Tour, LPGA and Symetra tour, Legends tour and Long Drive.

Complimenting the amenities at The Founders Club is a robust builder program comprised of four of the areas most respected luxury homebuilders: AR Homes, John Cannon Homes, Lee Wetherington Homes and London Bay Homes. The program offers endless possibilities for homeowners to create a truly personalized home on homesites ranging from nearly half an acre to almost two acres that can accommodate floor plans ranging from 2,200 to more than 6,000 square feet. Home and homesite packages at The Founders Club are priced from the high $700,000s to more than $5 million. No CDD fees.

Just outside the gates, residents also have quick access through Lorraine Road to a host of activities, restaurants and events in Lakewood Ranch. Less than 20 minutes away, acclaimed local restaurants, boutiques, and arts and cultural venues in downtown Sarasota also offer residents convenient options for vibrant living, while pristine, white-sand beaches near the Sarasota Bay provide a tropical background for enjoying the outdoors.