Bobby Jones Golf Complex, Gillespie Executive Course, Closed 2020

Detailed description of Bobby Jones Golf Complex, Gillespie Executive Course, Closed 2020

Bobby Jones Golf Complex - Gillespie Executive Course, is a Public, 18 hole golf course located in Sarasota, Florida.

The Bobby Jones Golf Club is a 48-hole golf municipal golf facility. The facility is named after legendary golfer Robert Tyre Jones, Jr. Bobby Jones dedicated the facility on the opening day, the day before Valentine's Day in 1927. The facility today consists of the 18-hole British Course, the 18-hole American Course, and the 9-hole John H. Gillespie Executive Course.

The original 18-holes, were designed by Donald Ross. An additional nine holes opened in 1952. The fourth nine opened in 1967. The back nine of both the American Course and The British Course are from the original 18-hole course designed by Donald Ross. The John H. Gillespie Executive Course was added in 1977 and was designed by Lane Marshall. Ron Garl did updates and redesign on both The American and the British Courses.

The British Course course's layout is fancied by long hitting, low handicappers, this course has more open, straight, and heavily-bunkered fairways than the American Course. The greens are often elevated and domed, making it difficult to stick approach shots.

A recent renovation to the British Course added some length and spruced up the place. The par-3 fourth hole was pushed back 30 yards and now measures 175 yards. And No. 18, a par 4, was lengthened by 20 yards to 427.

The back nine of the British remains as Ross designed it back in 1926. It features back-to-back par 5s at Nos. 13 and 14. Both are easily reachable in two shots, but true to Ross's style, the greens are shaped like inverted saucers and slope from front to back and guarded tightly by two front bunkers.

The American Course is an 18-hole, par 71 adventure, spanning 6,039 yards from the back tee box, about 500 yards shorter than the par 72 British. The landscape has rolling hills, creeks, and lakes. The American Course is a treat for men and women of all skill levels.

The Gillespie Executive Course makes up the last of the complex's 45 holes. With three par 4s and six par 3s, this 9-hole executive course plays to 1,716 yards. It's a great starter course but also available for anyone in need of improving their short game.

Bobby Jones has been closed for golf since March 2020, though it remains open as a trail facility.