Press Releases
LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. (November 11, 2024) – Heritage Golf Group, a leading owner and operator of
private country clubs and high-end daily-fee courses, proudly announces the completion of Phase
1 renovations at Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club, acquired in March 2024. In less than
eight months, the club is set to unveil two fully renovated golf courses, including the addition of
its newest private course, The Legacy, which will open for Member play on November 16, along
with major updates to the club’s racquet sport and wellness amenities.
Phase 1 renovations focused on two of the four private golf courses at LWRG&CC: Cypress
Links and The Legacy courses. These courses have been enhanced with celebration
bermudagrass fairways, newly constructed tifeagle greens, refurbished cart paths, and renovated
bunkers for improved playability and aesthetics. The Legacy course now features multiple new
sets of tees, making it accessible to golfers of all skill levels.
The Legacy Golf Course, an Arnold Palmer signature course known for its distinct design and
challenging play, was previously a daily-fee course adjacent to the club. Heritage Golf Group
made the strategic decision to merge The Legacy into Lakewood Ranch as its fourth private
course. With renovations now complete, the course has been restored to its original glory,
showcasing pristine conditions, paying homage to Palmer’s vision. Cypress Links, also designed
by Arnold Palmer and opened in 2001, has similarly undergone significant improvements.
Two of the club’s three practice facilities have also undergone major renovations, featuring
upgraded amenities, new premier practice balls, laser tee boxes, and new target greens to elevate
the Member practice experience.
Luke Beardmore, Heritage Golf Group’s Senior Vice President of Agronomy, spearheaded the
course renovations. “We are thrilled with the transformations at Cypress Links and The Legacy.
Both courses, each unique in design, now feature upgraded irrigation systems, enhanced
playability, and improved aesthetics. We’re very excited to open them back up to the Lakewood
Ranch Golf & Country Club membership,” he stated.
Heritage Golf Group begun renovations within a week of acquisition, meeting an ambitious Fall
2024 opening despite challenges posed by three named weather events. With the opening of
Cypress and The Legacy, Lakewood Ranch G&CC is now the only club in the Sarasota area
offering Members access to four private golf courses. The addition of The Legacy as the club’s
fourth private golf course has allowed Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club to accommodate
new golf members from a previously existing waitlist. The club is currently accepting
memberships in all categories.
“We’re thrilled to mark a new era at Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club with the opening of
all four golf courses.” Says Jim Oliver, Chief Operating Officer at Heritage Golf Group “This
milestone reflects our dedication to enhancing the experience for our Members and guests, and
we’re eager to bring even more planned improvements to life in the future.”
Beyond the golf courses, Phase 1 improvements include enhancements to the club’s racquet
sports and wellness amenities. The future addition of three new tennis courts brings the total to
23, while new LED lighting upgrades and court resurfacing improve playability and drainage.
The 24-hour fitness center will also be equipped with new cardio and strength machines, along
with additional group fitness equipment.
Plans are already underway for Phase 2 renovations, which include a multi-million dollar
transformation of The Legacy Clubhouse. Once completed, this will become the club’s third fullservice
clubhouse, featuring a member restaurant, patio, pro shop, and more. Renovations will
continue into 2025 and 2026 with scheduled upgrades to the remaining two golf courses, Royal
Lakes, and King’s Dunes, each receiving full renovations on a rotating basis.
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About Heritage Golf Group
Since purchasing Heritage Golf Group in January 2020, the current ownership and leadership
team has grown the company to include 37 clubs across the US. With its home office in northern
Virginia, just outside Washington DC, Heritage clubs are located in Alabama, Colorado, Florida,
Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina,
Virginia, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The company continues to grow by acquiring a mix of
private country clubs in residential communities, member-owned clubs with growth potential
seeking strategic alternatives, and premium daily-fee and resort golf properties in major resort
destinations and metropolitan markets. Guided by the principle of evolving the golf experience to
the highest level, each individual club’s amenities and operational systems are tailored to
augment its unique assets. For more information, please visit www.heritagegolfgroup.com.
Media Contacts:
Mary Moore, Heritage Golf Group
Phone: 703-570-4955
mmoore@heritagegolfgroup.com
Caroline Burroughs, Heritage Golf Group
Phone: 703-909-4317
cburroughs@heritagegolfgroup.com