"The best-value 'real architecture' round in Sarasota — a genuine restored Donald Ross muni around $60, with a par-3 course attached. An easy recommendation for members who care about classic design without private-club access."

Donald Ross routed 18 holes across Sarasota's floodplain in 1926, and the muni was renamed for Bobby Jones at its February 1927 dedication. After decades of decline it closed during the pandemic — then in January 2022 the city voted a $20M+ restoration AND a conservation easement protecting the land forever. Architect Richard Mandell rebuilt each hole from Ross's original plans in the Tufts Archives at Pinehurst, and the course reopened December 16, 2023, ranked #2 on Golf Digest's Best New or Remodeled Affordable Courses for 2024. A genuine municipal-golf resurrection story.

Donald Ross nerds, muni-golf romantics, and any Tampa Bay golfer who wants Golden Age architecture at public-course prices.

The stars are the restored Ross green complexes — crowned surfaces and shaved run-offs rebuilt from the Tufts Archives drawings. Play the 'Ross' combo tees at 6,240 yards, the exact total Ross drew in 1925, for the time-machine version of the round.

One of Florida's friendliest classic courses: flat, walkable, six tee sets from 4,500 yards, and muni pricing. Ross defends at the greens, not off the tee — beginners can play all day without losing a sleeve.

Roughly an hour from Wesley Chapel down I-75 — the best affordable classic-architecture day trip on our coast, and an easy pair with a Sarasota beach afternoon.

Not in GSPro — the 2023 restoration is too new for a community scan. For Ross's crowned-green short game in a bay, Pinehurst 2 is in GSPro; keep Bobby Jones on the real-world list.

A true municipal, open to everyone, with fees kept deliberately affordable. Book on the club's online tee sheet; winter snowbird season fills fastest.