A golf community built on a gesture and handshake

    Any golfer under the age of 50 may think that the most iconic gesture in the history of golf is, perhaps, Tiger Woods chasing after his 25-foot birdie putt during a playoff win against barely known Bob May at the 16th at Valhalla, and pointing the ball into the hole.  It was dramatic, to be sure, but lacking in a certain poignancy that makes a particular moment rise above the simply memorable.  
    Those of us of a certain age look to the end of the 1969 Ryder Cup at Royal Birkdale for the golfing gesture for the ages.  With the Cup on the line in the final match, Tony Jacklin of Great Britain faced a mere two-foot putt to halve the match against Jack Nicklaus.  Under the pressure, it was entirely conceivable that Jacklin could have missed the snaky putt, handing the Americans the victory and defining the English player's fine career with a single missed putt.
    Jacklin never had a chance.  Nicklaus conceded the putt, extended his hand and awarded his competitor and the British team a tie.  The two have remained good friends ever since.
    A golf club in Florida memorialized that moment 40 years ago with a golf course co-designed by the former competitors.  The Concession Golf Club was anointed by Golf Digest in 2006 as the #1 new private layout in the nation and made the Top 10 on Golfweek's list of "Best Residential Golf Courses" last year.  The ultra-luxe Concession Golf Club and Residences encompass 1,200 acres and 255 estate home sites near Sarasota.  Forty homes have been built there to date, and 70 lots are still available for sale.  Home prices start around $2 million and range as high as $18 million, making the community one of the most expensive anywhere.  
    However, the Core Development Company, which has a couple of Ritz Carltons in its portfolio of construction projects, will open a "lodging club," The Captains Cottages, later this year.   The Cottages will offer residents 28 days of lodging per year -- 14 days in season, 14 days out of season -- for a price of $8,000 annually.  Cottage owners can opt for a special $60,000 fully refundable, non-equity membership in the golf club, which provides golf and full access to the 33,000 square foot clubhouse.  Regular full-golf memberships are priced at $150,000.
    The Captain's Cottages include four bedrooms and 2,700 square feet.  Doing the math, the annual cost breaks down to $285 per night, or just $71 for each of four couples.  If you are interested in more information or a visit, let me know (just click on the Contact Us bottom at the top of the page).