Nancy Lopez's Breakout
In 1978, LPGA legend Nancy Lopez captured her first professional win at Bent Tree, launching one of golf’s most storied careers. That victory remains a cherished touchstone for the club and its members.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Bent Tree Country Club
Sarasota, Florida
Established
1975
Architect
William B. Lewis (original), Ward Northrup (1994 greens renovation), Ron Garl (2015 renovation), Beau Welling (2025 redesign underway)
Access
Semi-Private
Par
Par 72
Length
4,278 – 6,570 yds
Green Fees
$
The verdict
A Proven Sarasota Club Classic
Bent Tree delivers a classic, tree-framed Florida test shaped by championship history and a parade of LPGA icons. Its blend of risk-reward par fives, a heroic long par three, and gracious modern renovations make it a rewarding play for golfers who appreciate substance and story behind each shot.
Course DNA
Difficulty
74
Scenery64
Conditioning72
Shot Variety76
Walkability65
Green Complexity71
Wow Factor68
Design Quality70
Don't miss
Pause by the Nancy Lopez plaque near the first tee—it's a local legend’s landmark and the club's proudest historic marker.
At a glance
Quick facts
Opened for Play
1975
LPGA Tour Host
Sarasota Classic, 1976–1988
Multiple Renovations
Ward Northrup (1994), Ron Garl (2015)
Longest Par 3
210 yards (#14 Black tee)
Public Tee Times
Available via booking platforms
Signature Finisher
Par-5 18th offers late drama
Architect Redesign
Beau Welling currently updating design
The design
The architecture
Bent Tree Country Club is a prototypical Florida parkland course routed through gentle terrain, tree-lined corridors, and water features that reward strategic play. The course has evolved via smart redesigns and renovations, maintaining its championship pedigree while refreshing its aesthetics and challenges for modern players. Its DNA fuses tough holes that test both nerve and skill, especially at key turning points and on the storied par threes.
William B. Lewis delivered a championship routing in 1975 that has proven adaptive—successive updates by Ward Northrup, Ron Garl, and most recently Beau Welling keep Bent Tree evolving for new generations.
Defining features
- Mature tree framing and water hazards on multiple holes
- Reachable par 5s blended with stout par 4s
- Modernized greens and approach areas
- Risk/reward routing with shot placement demands
- Classic Florida parkland shaping through a residential landscape
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 2
Risk-Reward Gamble
PAR
5
YARDAGE
513
A scoring par 5 early in the round, Hole 2 dares you to get aggressive after a solid drive but punishes careless play with well-placed hazards and narrowing approach angles. Decision-making is everything as the fairway bottlenecks and the green sits guarded beyond reach for those out of position.
Play it smart
Ideal drive favors the left side, setting up options for a heroic second or a layup for safety.
Where it bites
Venture right or cut too much off and encounter water and penal rough, making a number almost inevitable.
Course management
Shots to think about
First tee; long, framed par 4
Take enough club to clear trees but favor the fairway for a controlled approach.
Second shot on par 5s (e.g., Hole 2)
Lay up to your favorite wedge distance rather than forcing heroics over hazards.
Approach on Hole 6 (long par 4)
Commit to your line—running up from off the fairway leaves a challenging chip.
Long par 3s (e.g., Hole 14)
Club up, and don't fear missing a bit long—short is often dead.
Wedge play on Hole 15
Watch your spin; land it below the hole to avoid a slippery comeback.
Finishing Par 5, Hole 18
Play the layup to set a full shot in, unless you thrive on late risk and have a clear opening.
Greenside recovery shots
Practice varied chips—shaved runoffs and sloping surrounds demand creativity around the greens.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Well-kept fairways and modernized greens; occasional private-club firmness and pace expectations.
Pace
Steady, relaxed private-club round—generally not rushed but not slow.
Vibe
Friendly traditional atmosphere with championship echoes and a subtle modern buzz.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Book in Advance
Tee times go quickly; online booking is recommended for non-members.
02
Study the Par 3s
Practice longer irons and precise wedges—the back-nine par 3s are pivotal tests.
03
Mind the Greens
Get a feel for subtle breaks and speeds; greens are modern and can be slick.
04
Dress Traditional
Double-check current club policy, but expect classic private-club attire.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1975
Bent Tree Country Club opens, designed by William B. Lewis.
- 1976
Hosts inaugural Sarasota LPGA Classic.
- 1978
Nancy Lopez wins first LPGA Tour victory at Bent Tree.
- 1988
Sarasota LPGA Classic held for the final time.
- 1994
Ward Northrup executes a greens renovation.
- 2015
Ron Garl leads a significant course renovation.
- 2025
Beau Welling begins a tee-to-green redesign (in progress).
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Where Champions Played
Bent Tree’s reputation as a tournament course was cemented by hosting the Sarasota LPGA Classic for 13 straight years, attracting icons like Kathy Whitworth and JoAnne Carner. Its fairways recall a golden era of women's professional golf.
Greens of Change
From Ward Northrup’s complete greens rebuild in 1994 to Ron Garl’s modern flourishes in 2015, the club’s greens have told the ongoing story of evolving golf architecture and member experience.
A Modern Touch
The latest chapter is being written by Beau Welling, whose 2025 redesign is poised to weave current design thinking into Bent Tree’s enduring fabric. Members and regulars eagerly await each new hole transformed by this revitalization.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Nancy Lopez's breakout LPGA win in 1978 happened here.
2
The Sarasota LPGA Classic ran for 13 straight years at Bent Tree.
3
The club underwent full greens reconstruction in 1994, bringing in USGA-spec putting surfaces.
4
A host of LPGA stars—including Kathy Whitworth and JoAnne Carner—claimed victories here.
5
The course's current renovation employs Beau Welling, known for work with TGR and PGA Tour designs.
Build the trip
If you’re making a Sarasota golf trip out of it
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Streamsong Resort (Red/Blue/Black)
Resort
Florida's premier public/resort golf—destination loops and unrivaled modern design.
The Concession Golf Club
Private
Arguably the area’s most exclusive championship test; elite-level conditioning.
Sara Bay Country Club
Private
Classic Donald Ross design, steeped in local flavor and tradition.
Lakewood National Golf Club
Resort
Accessible, high-quality daily-fee golf within reach of Sarasota and Bradenton.
TPC Prestancia
Semi-Private
A Semiprivate option with PGA pedigree, rounding out a full Sarasota trip.
Sarasota or Siesta Key for golf access and resort-town amenities.
Course DNA
If You Like Bent Tree Country Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match7.6
Doylestown Country Club
Doylestown, PennsylvaniaWhy it matches: If Bent Tree Country Club is your kind of course, Doylestown Country Club is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match6.5
Bear Creek Golf Club
Dallas, TexasWhy it matches: If Bent Tree Country Club is your kind of course, Bear Creek Golf Club is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match7.6
Mark Bostick Golf Course at the University of Florida
Gainesville, FloridaWhy it matches: There is real overlap here. Mark Bostick Golf Course at the University of Florida a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character, making it a compelling counterpart to Bent Tree Country Club.
Community Sentiment
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