Pokémon Go inspires Bobby Jones special

Pokémon Go has attracted hordes of mobile gamers to the streets of downtown Sarasota and St. Armands Circle. The Sarasota Police Department even Tweeted for players not to “Pokémon GO and drive.”

Now, Bobby Jones Golf Club is courting players of the popular augmented reality game with a new special. Those who want to hunt on the links can pay $10 to rent a golf cart for two hours between noon and 5 p.m. — walking is not permitted.

Earlier this week, Bobby Jones General Manager Sue Martin received a call from someone who wanted the tour the course. 

“He said he wanted an opportunity to go out and catch some rare Pokémon,” Martin said. “And I was like, ‘oh, that intrigues me’.” 

This way the city is able to add some structure to the notion of hunting Pokémon on the course and collect some additional revenue for the club. The special is slated to run through November when season brings more players to the course.

“This is new territory,” Martin said. “So if this gets out of control — if they damage the course or there’s conflict between golfers and Pokémon trainers — we’ll have to readjust the program.”

At that point, the course may have to institute organized hunts.

Anyone interested has to be a licensed driver, and must try to stay on cart paths as much as possible. Martin said she would be letting golfers know when there are Pokémon Go players on the course.

“Hopefully we don’t turn into a gym” Martin said with a laugh. “We don’t want to have battles out there.”