Let's talk affordable golfing communites in southern Sarasota county

So you're looking for an affordable golfing community in southern Sarasota county?

From North Port, and depending on traffic, Nokomis Beach is roughly 30 minutes away. There are some decent deals in there but it's somewhat of a trade off with the distance to the beaches.

Let's start off with the Englewood area-close to the beaches, small quaint, quite town, off the beaten bath, close to the beaches.

Boca Royale in Englewood has some new build homes going up and some older homes in the 80's and 90's. It's about 10 minutes from the beaches. Boca Royale Golf and Tennis Club offers 2 dining rooms on property with no minimum spending requirements. Boca Royale Golf and Country Club features a semi-private 18-hole golf course with a driving range, putting green, sand bunker and a chipping/pitching area, 6 clay tennis courts, Six lighted Har-Tru clay tennis courts, with lessons and clinics available, fitness center, 24 hour electronically monitored entry gates and social memberships. Social membership in the Club is included in the monthly HOA dues. ~ Golf Club membership and Tennis Club membership is not mandatory. There are about 300 homes in Boca Royale. http://www.bocaroyale.com/ If you like this community we could look into the new Neal homes that are in your price range. We'd just have to look into the cost of a pool, which depends on the upgrades you choose. Here's more on those homes: http://nealcommunities.com/new-homes-sarasota-venice/boca-royale-golf-country-club-home-designs/?utm_content=Bing_Branded&utm_source=bing&utm_medi um=cpc&utm_campaign=*Branded&utm_term=boca%20royal e%20neal%20communities

Oyster Creek in Englewood. Oyster Creek is a gated community with 24 hour manned gate. This golfing community offers a large clubhouse, pool, hot tub, tennis, bocce court, exercise room and many planned activities. http://oystercreekgolfclub.com/ Oyster Creek is roughly 10 minutes from the beaches.

Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club, Venice: http://www.pelicanpointeclub.com/ Pelican Pointe offers 27 holes of golf, and association fees include social membership and full use of its active 22,000 sq. ft. Clubhouse, including, dining, tennis, swimming, fitness center and numerous events and activities. This community is 12 minutes from the beach.

Sarasota National in Venice: http://www.sarasotanationalgolf.com/index.php Construction of the 25,000-square-foot clubhouse is more than 60 percent complete, scheduled to be finished December 2015. The Mediterranean Revival-inspired, three-building facility will feature indoor and alfresco full-service dining, bar and lounge, gathering spaces and a fitness center with cardio and group exercise areas and spa treatment rooms. Outdoor amenities will include a resort-inspired pool with lap lanes, a poolside tiki bar, tennis courts, bocce ball, pickleball and a dog park. Gordon Lewis designed Sarasota National's 18-hole golf course, which features a golf shop, driving range and chipping and putting greens. The course is an Audubon International Certified Signature Sanctuary in a lush and scenic subtropical setting. WCI is currently building in there and has homes in various states of completion so if you like this community then that might be an option. Here's more on that: http://sarasotanational.wcicommunities.com/homes/

Sawgrass in Venice: https://www.sawgrassvenice.org/ Sawgrass features a community pool, tennis court, fitness center, updated community center and is part of a 27 hole championship golf course. Sawgrass is a gated golf-course community located about 10 minutes from Venice Beach. If you are an avid golfer, reciprocity to Waterford and Capri Isles Golf Courses comes standard. Social club membership comes with ownership. Use of the Ted McAnlis designed par 36 golf course is optional with a paid membership or just pay the green fee if your playing time is sporadic. Construction began in 1997 on the 568 lot site. All homes are block and stucco construction with tile roofs. Home sizes range from 1,900 to 3,400 square feet with at least a two-car garage. The builders included Taylor Woodrow, J & J Builders and Waterford Builders. New home construction slowed to a crawl in 2006 and it is just recently that Neal Communities began building new homes on 70 of the remaining 109 lots. You can find maintenance-free villa or single family homes within the community.

Venice Golf & Country Club, Venice: http://www.venicegolfandcc.com/Home.aspx Venice Golf and C.C. is an elegant, award winning, member-owned, gated community, offering an 18 hole championship golf course, lighted Har-Tru tennis courts, staffed fitness center, resort pool, updated clubhouse with both casual and fine dining, acres of nature preserves.

Waterford in Venice: Waterford amenities include offering 27 challenging holes of championship golf, Har-Tru tennis courts, heated community pool and spa, sports club, fitness center, social grill room and picnic areas.

If you were willing to consider communities that do not have golf my top picks would be IslandWalk in Venice as well as Gran Paradiso. IslandWalk has a full time activities director, heated lap pool, salt water lagoon pool, har-tru tennis courts, bocce ball courts, pickle ball courts, bike and walking paths thru-out the lakes and marshes of the community. Gran Paradiso is building a new Mediterranean-style clubhouse that will be the focus of community life, offering an array of social and recreational amenities as well as concierge service for Gran Paradiso residents. Fitness center and community swimming pool and spa located at the Gran Paradiso clubhouse. Additional recreational amenities will include tennis courts, a playground, fitness trails and a clubhouse media center.

If golf is not an absolute must IslandWalk really is a must see community. I've sold three homes in there in the last few months and everyone loves it. They have an awesome activities director and there's always something to do. I have several clients who have chosen to wait the 4-5 months to build a home in here and rent locally while their new home is being built. You could have a new home with a pool the only drawback is that there is no golf in the community but plenty of nearby courses. Here's more on the new builds at IslandWalk: http://www.divosta.com/communities/fl/venice/islandwalk-at-the-west-villages/16219/index1.aspx#.VdDH8v-FPIU

Bobcat Trail Golf Club, North Port: http://www.bobcattrailgc.com/ Their golf course was rated 4-1/2 STARS by Golfers Digest. Bobcat has a clubhouse, fitness center, tennis, heated pool, golf membership is optional.

Heron Creek Golf & Country Club, North Port: http://www.heron-creek.com/ Your membership in the Heron Creek Golf & Country Club includes access to impressive 21,000 Sq.Ft. clubhouse-the perfect gathering spot for social activities-offering 2 restaurants, pro-shop, locker rooms, hobby/meeting rooms and loads of year round events for all interests. Golfers will love the Arthur Hills designed, championship, 27-hole course & learning center. Enjoy tennis, fitness center and community pool. New buyers are required to join the Country Club with 3 different levels to choose from and one-time $3,000 Initiation Fee. There is also a one-time Capital Contribution fee, due at closing, equal to 1/4 of the annual HOA fees.

Calusa Lakes in Nokomis: http://www.calusalakes.org/Golf-Club-Activities.aspx Most of the homes in Calusa Lakes were built in the late 90's and early 2000's. It's approximately 10 minutes from Nokomis Beach. Calusa Lakes has tennis courts for residents; semi private golf is optional. Calusa Lakes is gated at night, with a guard. Right now there is nothing in your price range but if you like the community we could keep it on the list and see if anything pops up.

Venetian Golf and River Club in Venice: http://www.venetiangolfandriverclub.com/ Gated entry, Chip Powell-designed 18-hole championship course with wide, rolling fairways and five sets of tees to accommodate less experienced players while challenging experts. Mediterranean-inspired golf clubhouse with a pro shop, restaurant and member lounge, plus additional social and recreational facilities at the Venetian River Club on the eastern edge of the property. Six lighted Har-Tru courts open year-round, with tennis pro shop and instruction available. Cardio machines, weight training equipment, exercise classes and a full menu of massage and beauty services available at the Venetian River Club spa and fitness center. Resort-style outdoor swimming pool located at the Venetian River Club. 108 acres (10% of the master plan) set aside as wetland preserve, including a 70-acre riverside nature park with boardwalk path and walking trails. Certified as a Gold Audubon Signature Sustainable Development by Audubon International. There are only two homes for sale right now in here and both are over your price range. If you like the community we can see if anything pops up.

Here are two a blogs I wrote on City-Data specifically about the Venice communities: https://www.city-data.com/blogs/blog11436-venice-florida-communities.html and here's something I wrote about the Englewood communities: [url="https://www.city-data.com/blogs/blog11435-englewood-florida-communities.html"][color=#0066cc]https://www.city-data.com/blogs/blog11435-englewood-florida-communities.html