SARASOTA, Fla. (March 9, 2015) – The Founders Club captured several top awards, including Best Overall Community (201-500 homesites), Best Amenities, and Best Entranceway during the Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association 2015 Parade of Homes.

Additionally, the Clara – one of The Founders Club’s fully furnished model homes featured during the parade – was awarded Best Floorplan for its three-bedroom, three- and one-half-bath design by London Bay Homes.

The 16-day, multi-site Parade of Homes showcased five new-home communities and 93 model homes throughout the two-county region.

The Founders Club, a traditional private golf and social club community featuring intimate neighborhoods with homes nestled along lakes, fairways and nature preserves, was recognized for its unique lifestyle and amenities designed to foster camaraderie among residents and a connection with nature. Miles of winding boardwalks and paved walkways meander throughout the 700-acre community, which is planned for just 262 homes. Recent improvements include an enhanced community entrance, a new executive chef, an expanded driving range, and the addition of several new luxury model homes.

“We’ve elevated and enhanced the lifestyle at The Founders Club,” said Mark Wilson, president and CEO of London Bay Homes, which owns the majority of community homesites. “The new chef, Mark Traugutt, is a veteran of the New York City dining scene and brings a fresh perspective to the club. The improvements to the golf driving range and short-game areas accommodate additional golfers in a comfortable setting. And we’ve introduced new model homes that capture the experience of what it’s like to live in this special community.”

London Bay’s newest model at The Founders Club was recognized for its connection between indoor and alfresco areas. The Clara offers expansive views of the golf course and preserve areas, and seamlessly blends the outdoor living areas with ample seating and a summer kitchen. The home features interior design by Michael Scott of Romanza Interior Design and coastal colors of beach, sea and tropical green. Offering a den, formal living and dining rooms, a family room and three-car garage, the Clara has 3,248 square feet of air conditioned living space and is priced at $1,384,900.

The Clara can be toured in person or online via the homebuilder’s virtual tour at http://thefoundersclub.com/home/clara.

Additional amenities at The Founders Club include 18 holes of Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed championship golf with the area’s only traditional caddie program. Golfers are allowed to walk the course, and membership is limited to 275 to ensure members enjoy year-round golf with no tee time required.

Training facilities include two putting greens, a short game area, and state-of-the-art TrackMan radar technology offered through Florida Golf Performance Center.

The 24,000-square-foot Golf Hall, overlooking an oak hammock and the 18th hole, offers a main dining room, bar and grille, outdoor verandah, and private dining room for casual and fine dining. The facility also has a professionally staffed and fully stocked golf pro shop, state-of-the-art fitness center, and men’s and women’s locker rooms and lounges.

The club offers a vibrant, active social calendar and an in-season reciprocal partnership with Sarasota Yacht Club.

The Founders Club also offers two Har-Tru tennis courts, basketball and sand volleyball courts, and a picnic pavilion. Fitness and wellness classes, educational and instructional programs, and social gatherings are coordinated by a professional staff.

The community is just minutes from Sarasota’s famed Gulf of Mexico beaches, the new University Town Center mall, and the acclaimed local restaurants, boutiques and arts and cultural venues of downtown Sarasota.

The Founders Club Sales Center is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is located at 3001 Founders Club Drive, three miles east of I-75 on Fruitville Road, Exit 210.

For more information about The Founders Club, call 941-398-0900 or visit www.TheFoundersClub.com.